As they look ahead, Lynn and Bob Mackle describe their future as “flexible” and “a work in progress.” They have enjoyed their Palm Beach home in the Southlake Condominiums, 315 S. Lake Drive, but their focus is evolving. They own other homes, plan to travel and want to spend more time with their family.
So the Mackles have listed their two-bedroom condominium in Midtown with broker Linda Olsson of Linda R. Olsson Inc., who has it priced at $4.45 million.
The apartment, Unit 2F, has 2,214 square feet of living space, inside and on its covered balcony.
The Mackles bought the apartment in early 2021, and the choice of the Southlake was easy, Lynn says. The lakefront building is one lot south of Royal Palm Way in the heart of Midtown, facing the Lake Trail and the newly renovated Palm Beach Marina in the Intracoastal Waterway across from West Palm Beach.
“I knew about the building’s reputation for white-glove services. The staff is helpful and responsive, and the building is meticulously maintained,” she says.
“When we bought our unit, it already had been renovated with beautiful finishes. It was light and airy with easy access to the outdoors. I also liked that it was on the second floor, because I can easily be out and about.”
Bob adds: “It’s totally private and I like the view — we can see the Intracoastal from every room.”
Lynn is a freelance writer and her husband is a retired real-estate developer who worked with his family-owned Deltona Corp. and developed Marco Island.
The apartment’s foyer leads west to the living room, which opens to the balcony. It is flanked by the main bedroom suite and the guest bedroom suite, both with Intracoastal-view sitting rooms that also access the balcony.
The kitchen and dining room are off the living room to the east, and the floor plan includes a laundry room.
The apartment has hardwood flooring and carpet, and other details include decorative molding and grass-cloth wallpaper in the dining room. Both bedrooms are topped by tray ceilings, and plantation shutters cover the windows in the main bedroom.
The kitchen is fitted with wood cabinetry, which Lynn customized by adding glass fronts. She also put in new marble counters and a tile backsplash.
Lynn also installed buffet doors between the kitchen and the dining room, and she repainted and wallpapered throughout in her favorite color palette.
“My lifetime color scheme includes variations of beige, peach and coral,” she says.
“Also, I added the tub (in the main suite’s bathroom). It was an excellent walk-in shower, and I found a freestanding tub that fit in there, but it could be removed” if a buyer chooses, she says.
With double sinks, the bathroom is finished in marble although the shower-and-tub area is tiled.
The main bedroom suite offers two walk-in closets, and in its adjoining sitting room is set up as an office.
With six floors and 31 units, the iconic Modernist-style serpentine-curved Southlake was designed by noted architect Howard Chilton in 1969. Its amenities include a resort-style pool, outdoor lounge area, changing rooms and barbecue area.
The building has a full-time manager, door staff and service personnel. The Mackles’ unit will be sold with covered parking for one car; there’s also guest parking on site.
In addition to appreciating the building’s services, amenities and her neighbors, Lynn likes its central location, within walking distance of cultural offerings at the Society of the Four Arts as well as shopping and dining venues.
“I consider Southlake an oasis in the heart of Palm Beach and all the town has to offer,” she explains. “I love Southlake’s walkability. I love the Four Arts, and I can get there very easily. It’s also near Worth Avenue, the Lake Trail and boutique hotels. It’s terrific to be on the marina. We enjoy watching the boats.”