Looking for a neighborhood where galleries, independent dining, and the Intracoastal are all part of daily life? If you want creative energy without giving up convenience, Northwood Village and the Old Northwood Historic District offer a compelling mix. In this guide, you’ll learn what it feels like to live here, from the arts scene and local restaurants to waterfront access and new development to watch. Let’s dive in.
Where Northwood fits in WPB
Northwood is a cluster of walkable blocks just north of downtown West Palm Beach that includes Northwood Village, Old Northwood, and Northwood Shores. The Old Northwood Historic District dates to the 1920s and is known for Frame Vernacular, Mediterranean Revival, and Mission Revival homes beneath a mature tree canopy. The neighborhood formed a preservation association in the 1980s and later earned local designation and National Register status, which helps explain the concentration of restored period homes you see today. You can explore the area’s history through the neighborhood’s own account of its early years and architecture on the Old Northwood association site.
Arts district energy
Northwood Village is positioned by the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency as a design and culture district that supports small businesses and public space improvements. The CRA highlights programs that foster arts and retail clustering, which is a big part of why the streets feel lively on weekends. You can learn more about this strategy on the City’s Northwood Village page.
Events you can walk to
The neighborhood’s signature gathering is Nights in Northwood Village, a recurring event with food, live music, and local vendors. The City publishes dates and details for each season, so check the official event listing before you go. Smaller gallery nights and pop-up shows fill the calendar in between.
Murals and public art
Public art is part of everyday life here. In 2025 the City unveiled “Color Field of Northwood,” an eight-story mural by Renee Phillips at The Spruce, noted as the tallest mural in West Palm Beach. It underscores the City’s push to integrate large-scale art into development. See the announcement on the City’s news release.
Grassroots galleries
Independent galleries and studio spaces add to the creative mix, with periodic openings and workshops that keep foot traffic steady. For a flavor of what to expect, browse local listings and current shows via Northwood Art & Music. This grassroots scene is a key reason many buyers target Northwood Village.
Dining and local spots
Northwood’s restaurant mix skews independent, with options that reward repeat visits. Long-running favorites include the artistically decorated Malakor Thai Café on 25th Street. You’ll also find live music and Italian-influenced plates at Café Centro, a fixture mentioned in the area overview by The Palm Beaches tourism board. Mediterranean flavors at Agora and casual stops like coffee shops and comfort-food spots round out the lineup.
A rotating cast of pop-ups keeps the scene fresh, so verify hours before making plans. Nearby districts like downtown WPB and the Norton Museum corridor are minutes away by car, which expands your choices for date nights and weekend brunch.
Community gardens and green touches
Northwood’s creative identity extends to small green projects. Community gardens and eco-art pilots have taken root in the Village, adding color and herbs for local kitchens while creating places to gather. Learn more about these placemaking efforts in this WPB Magazine feature. These small touches contribute to the neighborhood’s sense of community.
Waterfront and Currie Park
Northwood sits a few blocks from the Lake Worth Lagoon along North Flagler Drive, where Currie Park anchors the waterfront. The City is investing heavily in the park, with plans that include a waterfront promenade, upgraded marina and boat ramps, event lawns, a tidal amphitheater, playgrounds, native landscaping, and commercial space. Parts of the project are under construction, and boat ramp and parking closures are scheduled through phases of the work with a city-cited reopening target in spring 2027, weather permitting. For updates on closures and timelines, see this Currie Park project coverage.
For you, the tradeoff is clear. Short term, construction can affect parking and boat access. Long term, the improvements are designed to enhance everyday waterfront use and strengthen nearby property appeal.
Getting around
Within Northwood Village, you can walk to galleries, cafés, and services. Downtown West Palm Beach, the Brightline station, and Palm Beach’s beaches are a short drive away. The City and CRA are also working on street improvements that aim to tighten the connection between Northwood Road and the waterfront, including a planned extension and related realignments. You can review context on the area’s layout and proposed connectivity on this Northwood overview and the CRA’s Northwood Village page.
New projects shaping the Village
Major mixed-use projects are underway that will add residents, retail, and public spaces.
- The District at Northwood: A CRA-led anchor site with approved plans for roughly 350 to 382 residential units plus ground-floor commercial and a public plaza. Construction began in early 2024, with timing and phasing updated by the City as work progresses. See project context on the CRA’s Northwood page.
- The Spruce: An 8-story mixed-income development with street-level retail, now a landmark for its eight-story mural by Renee Phillips noted above. The building adds new housing options and helps concentrate activity in the heart of the Village. Read the City’s mural announcement.
Expect more foot traffic and new storefronts as these sites come online. Also expect evolving parking patterns and some construction impacts along the way.
Historic homes and buying smart
Old Northwood’s 1920s homes are part of its draw. Styles range from Mediterranean and Mission Revival to frame vernacular bungalows, often with original details and porches that encourage street life. The district is both locally designated and listed on the National Register, which typically means exterior changes may be reviewed for consistency with preservation guidelines. For background on the neighborhood’s origins and architecture, start with the Old Northwood history page and the National Register summary.
What does that mean for you as a buyer? Restored homes can command premiums, while smaller or altered properties may offer entry points at lower prices within the broader 33407 area. If you plan to renovate, factor in potential design review and timeline for exterior work, and confirm requirements with the City’s Historic Preservation office before you write your offer.
Seller tips for Northwood
If you are selling, lean into the neighborhood’s character and convenience.
- Highlight preserved details. Original tile, arches, and woodwork photograph beautifully and help buyers connect with the home’s story.
- Frame lifestyle in your visuals. Listing photos that nod to local murals or a quick walk to cafés can resonate with amenity-seeking buyers.
- Watch nearby construction timelines. New buildings can expand your buyer pool and comparables, but they can also shift parking and traffic patterns in the short term.
- Prep for preservation questions. Have permits, survey, and any exterior approvals ready to build trust.
Ready to explore homes or weigh a sale in Northwood with a hyperlocal, broker-led approach? Reach out to Jefferson Kiely for neighborhood-specific guidance and a polished, marketing-first plan that fits your goals.
FAQs
What is Northwood Village like day to day?
- It is a walkable arts and dining district with galleries, indie restaurants, and periodic public events supported by the City’s CRA, detailed on the Northwood Village page.
Are there regular arts events in Northwood?
- Yes, Nights in Northwood Village occurs seasonally with food, music, and vendors; check the City’s current event listing for dates.
How is waterfront access during Currie Park construction?
- Currie Park is in a multi-year upgrade with phased boat ramp and parking closures and a City-cited reopening target in spring 2027, weather permitting, per this project coverage.
What should buyers know about renovating historic homes in Old Northwood?
- The district has local and National Register recognition, and exterior changes may be reviewed for consistency with preservation guidelines; start with the Old Northwood history page and confirm current rules with the City before planning work.
How will The District and The Spruce affect the neighborhood?
- These mixed-use projects add housing, retail, public art, and plazas that increase foot traffic and amenities while creating short-term construction and parking adjustments, outlined on the CRA’s Northwood page.
Is Northwood walkable and close to transit?
- You can walk to most Village spots, and downtown WPB, Brightline, and beaches are a short drive; the City has discussed connecting Northwood Road more directly to Currie Park, noted in this area overview.