Waterfront Home of the Week: The Boater's Paradise at 917 Tropic Boulevard

Where 200 Feet of Deep Water Meets Delray Beach Perfection 

Some properties whisper to you. This one arrives on the bow of a yacht, with salt air in your hair and the Intracoastal stretched before you like liquid silver. Welcome to 917 Tropic Boulevard in Delray Beach's Tropic Isle—where the word "waterfront" transforms from real estate jargon into a living, breathing daily experience.

This isn't just about square footage or bedroom counts. This is about waking up to 200 feet of your own deep-water frontage, where your morning coffee comes with a view that yacht clubs charge six figures annually to approximate. This is about the freedom of a 24,000-pound boat lift on the west seawall, ready whenever adventure calls. This is about understanding that in South Florida's most competitive luxury market, true waterfront with this kind of depth and dockage doesn't simply appear—it must be discovered, appreciated, and seized.

The Art of Arrival 

The moment you cross into Tropic Isle, something shifts. There's no pretentious gate house, no mandatory HOA meetings about paint colors. Just a quiet enclave of 48 waterfront properties where neighbors wave from their boats and everyone understands the unspoken code of genuine waterfront living. Federal Highway becomes a memory. Downtown Delray's Atlantic Avenue—with its Michelin-worthy restaurants and art galleries—is moments away, yet feels worlds apart.

Pull into the circular drive of 917 Tropic Boulevard, and the architecture announces its intention: this is a home built in 2018 by people who actually understood how Floridians want to live. Not some spec builder's interpretation of luxury, but a thoughtfully designed estate where form and function married on the Intracoastal and decided to stay forever.

The Symphony of Space 

Step through hurricane-impact glass doors (because in South Florida, beauty and safety aren't negotiable), and the interior reveals itself in layers. Twenty-four-foot ceilings soar above the living room—a 20 x 24 sanctuary where entertaining isn't scheduled, it simply happens. The space breathes. Cathedral ceilings create volume without pretension. Volume ceilings add drama to intimate corners where conversation flows as freely as the views.

Then there's the kitchen. Fifteen by eighteen feet of pure culinary theater, anchored by that massive quartz island where morning smoothies and midnight snacks happen under the same Thermador appliances that serious chefs demand. Dual-fuel range? Check. Professional-grade refrigeration? Naturally. But here's what sets this kitchen apart: those panoramic water views that transform meal prep from chore to meditation.

The open-concept design isn't about following trends—it's about acknowledging that life at the water doesn't happen in compartments. It flows. From kitchen to living spaces to those covered outdoor areas where the line between inside and outside becomes beautifully, deliberately blurred.

The Private Quarters: Where Rest Meets Reverence 

The first floor plays its cards perfectly. A dedicated home office where you can actually concentrate (assuming you can ignore those water views), a private guest suite for visitors who deserve their own sanctuary, and two separate garages with space for three vehicles. Because toys are part of the waterfront lifestyle, and this home understands that completely.

Upstairs—accessed by stairs or the private elevator for those post-boat-day moments when stairs feel ambitious—the primary suite commands the entire 15 x 20 footprint of waterfront real estate. Dual vanities in the bathroom aren't about luxury; they're about morning efficiency when the boat needs to launch by 9 a.m. That large walk-in shower? Pure pragmatic bliss after a day on the water. And the newly renovated custom closet system speaks to someone who understood that organization is the ultimate luxury.

Three additional guest bedrooms, each with expansive layouts and those breathtaking waterfront views, ensure that when family visits, they're not squeezing into apologetic quarters. They're experiencing the same elevated lifestyle you've worked so hard to create.

The Outdoor Masterpiece: Where Life Actually Happens 

Let's be honest—in South Florida waterfront living, the outdoor spaces aren't amenities. They're the main event. And 917 Tropic Boulevard delivers a performance worthy of standing ovations.

The heated pool and spa aren't oversized backyard puddles—they're serious aquatic infrastructure designed for year-round enjoyment. The summer kitchen with built-in grill transforms every meal into a celebration. The covered balcony and screened porch acknowledge that sometimes, you want the views without the afternoon sun's full intensity.

But that dock. That glorious 200 feet of deep-water frontage with a 24,000-pound boat lift installed and ready. This is where dreams dock. Where Sunday morning departures to Palm Beach happen without consulting tide charts. Where your boat isn't stored in some marina parking lot—it's home, steps from your door, waiting.

The lush landscaping frames it all like a living painting, maintained but never manicured to the point of sterility. This is Florida done right: tropical, abundant, alive.

The Invisible Luxuries: Details That Define Excellence 

Here's what most real estate agents won't tell you: the difference between a good waterfront property and an exceptional one often hides in the infrastructure you never see.

The natural gas connection at 917 Tropic Boulevard powers the whole-house generator (because in South Florida, losing power shouldn't mean losing peace of mind), the pool heater, and major appliances. When Hurricane Season whispers threats, you're sipping wine while your neighbors scramble for hotel rooms.

Impact glass throughout—not just on some windows, but complete storm protection that looks elegant while functioning as armor. Plantation shutters that filter light like a photographer's studio. Tile and wood floors that look luxurious while laughing at humidity. Auto garage door openers, storm shutters, a disposal, ice maker—every convenience considered, included, perfected.

Built-in shelves provide display space for the art and treasures you've collected. The split bedroom floor plan offers privacy between primary and guest quarters. The elevator ensures this home ages gracefully with you. These aren't checklist items—they're thoughtful decisions by builders who understood that luxury is in the details that disappear until you need them.

The Tropic Isle Advantage: Location Without Compromise 

Tropic Isle exists in that rare real estate sweet spot: prestigious without being pretentious, exclusive without being isolated. You're on Federal Highway's east side, where "east of Federal" carries weight with anyone who understands South Florida geography. No HOA fees eating into your budget. No community rules dictating your dock configuration. Just 48 waterfront properties where neighbors respect privacy and celebrate the shared privilege of living where land meets water.

Downtown Delray Beach—repeatedly crowned as one of America's most lovable downtowns—is a five-minute drive south. Atlantic Avenue's restaurants, galleries, and boutiques provide endless entertainment options. The Atlantic Ocean's beaches are equally close when you want sand instead of seawalls. Yet here, on your 200 feet of Intracoastal frontage, you're removed from the chaos, buffered by water and wisdom.

The Investment Perspective: Reading the Waterfront Market 

As a luxury real estate specialist who studies South Florida's waterfront market, I can tell you this with certainty: deep-water dockage in Delray Beach is finite. The Intracoastal Waterway doesn't expand. Land doesn't reproduce. And properties with 200 feet of usable waterfront, no fixed bridges to navigate, and immediate ocean access are becoming increasingly rare.

The current list price of $4,999,000 represents a $351,000 reduction from the original $5,350,000—the kind of adjustment that signals motivated sellers meeting market reality. At 4,630 square feet of living space, you're looking at approximately $1,080 per square foot. But attempting to value waterfront property by square footage alone is like judging wine by alcohol content—technically accurate, completely meaningless.

What matters: the replacement cost of replicating this in 2025 would likely exceed $7 million, assuming you could even find a comparable lot. The 2024 property taxes of $66,067 reflect the county's assessment of true value. The 2018 construction means you're buying contemporary systems, modern design, and at least a decade before major infrastructure concerns arise.

The furniture is negotiable—a turnkey opportunity for buyers who want to arrive, unpack their boat, and start living immediately.

Why This Property Demands Your Attention

I've toured lots of waterfront properties throughout Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Deerfield Beach. I've walked through estates that tried too hard and cottages that didn't try enough. I've seen properties where "waterfront" meant a sliver of canal view through neighbor's palms and others where the water was there but everything else missed the mark.

917 Tropic Boulevard is that rare convergence where everything aligns: authentic deep-water frontage that accommodates serious vessels, thoughtful 2018 construction that anticipated how people actually live, location in Delray Beach's most desirable waterfront enclave, and infrastructure that supports the lifestyle without requiring constant compromise.

This isn't a teardown waiting for the next developer. It's not a dated property requiring six months of renovations before you can move in. It's a complete, contemporary, exceptionally maintained waterfront estate that understands its purpose: to provide sophisticated shelter for people who demand access to open water without sacrificing access to cultural amenities.

The Emotional Equation: Beyond the Balance Sheet 

Numbers tell part of the story. Five bedrooms, 5.1 baths, 200 feet of water frontage, 24,000-pound boat lift, heated pool, three-car garage—these are facts, specifications, data points.

But here's the truth that no MLS listing captures: this is about Sunday mornings launching from your dock while coffee cools on the counter. About Friday evenings when friends arrive by boat and stay until the stars emerge. About the profound peace of falling asleep to gentle waves lapping against your seawall. About the pride of showing visiting family a home that doesn't apologize or compensate—it simply delivers.

This is about recognizing that life is short, South Florida's waterfront inventory is finite, and opportunities like 917 Tropic Boulevard arrive infrequently enough to command immediate attention from serious buyers.

Your Next Chapter Begins at the Water's Edge

I focus on waterfront properties because I understand something fundamental: for certain buyers, waterfront living isn't a preference—it's a prerequisite. It's not about showing off or keeping up with neighbors. It's about aligning your living environment with your deepest values, whether that's boating, fishing, paddle-boarding, or simply watching dolphins cruise past during breakfast.

If you're reading this and feeling that pull—that recognition that your next home needs to offer more than square footage and school districts—then 917 Tropic Boulevard deserves your personal attention.

I've created a short video walking tour from that 200-foot dock, capturing the property's essence in ways that photographs can't quite achieve. It's available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese because exceptional real estate transcends language barriers, and I recognize this home's global appeal.

Current Status: Active listing
List Price: $4,999,000
Days on Market: 46
Showing Instructions: 24-hour notice preferred

Contact me directly for private showings, a detailed market analysis, or to discuss how this property might align with your waterfront lifestyle goals. Whether you're relocating from northern climates, upgrading within South Florida, or investing in the region's most compelling long-term asset class, I bring the expertise, discretion, and dedication that luxury transactions demand.

Property Snapshot: 917 Tropic Boulevard, Delray Beach 

• Location: Tropic Isle, Delray Beach, FL 33483
• Price: $4,999,000
• Bedrooms: 5
• Bathrooms: 5 full, 1 half (5.1 total)
• Living Square Feet: 4,630
• Total Square Feet: 6,762
• Year Built: 2018
• Lot Size: 10,806 sq ft (less than 1/4 acre)
• Waterfront: 200 feet of deep-water frontage
• Waterfront Type: Interior Canal (Intracoastal access)
• Dock: 24,000 lb boat lift on west seawall
• Pool: Heated, inground with spa
• Garage: 3-car attached garage (2 separate garages)
• Additional Features: Elevator, whole-house generator, impact glass throughout, summer kitchen, natural gas connection
• HOA: None
• Property Taxes (2024): $66,067
• MLS#: RX-11121531

Maureen Harmonay is a luxury waterfront real estate specialist serving the exceptional properties of Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Deerfield Beach. With deep market expertise and an unwavering commitment to client success, Maureen helps discerning buyers and sellers navigate South Florida's most competitive luxury waterfront market. For more information about 917 Tropic Boulevard or other exceptional waterfront opportunities, visit MaureenHarmonayHomes.com or contact Maureen directly.