Lake Worth Beach is on the brink of a $355 million transformation. The proposed HORIZON project would replace aging asphalt with two Hyatt hotels, a Jack Nicklaus–redesigned municipal golf course, and a five-acre oceanfront park—promising 973 new jobs and zero local tax hikes. Here’s what’s planned, how it’s funded, and why your voice matters before the final vote.
Lake Worth Beach has always attracted visitors with its eclectic downtown and sandy shoreline, yet two of its crown jewels—the beachfront parking lots and aging municipal golf course—are limping along. Enter HORIZON, an unsolicited public-private proposal from Copperline Partners, Hyatt Hotels, Jack Nicklaus Design, Fortress Investment Group, and Stiles Construction. If approved, the partnership says it will pour $355 million into modernizing city-owned land without raising local taxes—and generate steady cash, jobs, and new parkland in the process.
Why Is HORIZON on the Table?
City leaders have wrestled for years with a leaky ocean-side pool, storm-flooded fairways, and crumbling parking lots. HORIZON’s backers argue that a “do-nothing” path still costs millions in repairs but yields no new revenue. Their alternative: let private capital rebuild the amenities, pay ground rent to the city, and bring in visitors who will keep local businesses humming.
Two Hyatt Hotels to Anchor Year-Round Tourism
- Grand Hyatt (250 rooms) on the beach—steps from the pier and casino building.
- Hyatt Conference Center Hotel (150 rooms) overlooking a revamped municipal course, adding badly needed meeting space between West Palm and Boca.
Combined, the hotels are forecast to pump $152.6 million in annual economic output and cut permanent paychecks for 973 local workers—housekeepers, chefs, event staff, landscapers, and more.
Jack Nicklaus Takes on the Municipal Golf Course
The seaside links battle tidal flooding after heavy rains and king tides. Nicklaus’ team would raise fairways, reroute drainage, and create a signature layout that stays 100 percent public at “affordable resident rates,” with hotel revenue subsidizing ongoing maintenance. HORIZON.
From Asphalt to a Five-Acre Oceanfront Park
Today’s beach parking expanse would be replaced by native dunes, shaded lawns, walking paths, and a living shoreline designed to absorb storm surge and protect A1A. Cars shift into a 1,166-space garage tucked behind the dune line—solving the weekend parking crunch without paving new ground.
Pool Relocation and New Recreation Hub
The long-shuttered oceanside pool disappears, but HORIZON funds a modern Olympic-size pool and recreation center in Northwest Park. Moving the facility inland frees up prime oceanfront for open space while putting swimming programs closer to the neighborhoods that use them most. HORIZON.
Project Facts That Matter to Residents
- City keeps the land. Copperline & Co. would sign long-term leases, not buy property.
- No new taxes. Construction and upkeep are funded by private dollars and future tourist taxes.
- Lease payments + resort taxes = $2 million in new yearly city revenue on top of job creation.
- Road, storm-water, and park upgrades across Lake Worth Beach get a slice of that income. The Palm Beach Post
Timeline and How to Weigh In
- May 2025 – City Commission workshop on how to vet unsolicited proposals.
- Summer 2025 – Public charrettes, economic peer reviews.
- Fall 2025 – Formal negotiations and draft charter amendments (a public vote is likely because the charter restricts long leases east of A1A).
- Early 2026 – Potential voter referendum. The Palm Beach Post
Your opinion genuinely matters. City officials have pledged that resident feedback will “play a major role” before anything is signed. Attend workshops, email commissioners, or speak at neighborhood meetings—and watch my Instagram Stories for quick polls and Q&As.
The Bottom Line
Lake Worth Beach can either patch potholes and pool leaks one line-item at a time or leverage outside capital to reinvent the shoreline, revive its golf course, and add a top-tier conference hotel. HORIZON promises fresh jobs, greener public space, and zero local tax hikes—but only if the community decides the benefits outweigh the traffic, height, and character concerns that come with large-scale development.
Curious how this might influence property values, rental demand, or your own real-estate plans? Reach out any time; I’m following every twist and turn so you don’t have to.
