The City of Delray Beach encompasses slightly over 16 square miles with a permanent population of nearly 65,000 and growing. Over the past decade, renewal and re-development efforts in Delray Beach have resulted in recognition as the All-America City with the Blue Wave designation for clean and beautiful beaches and hailed by city planners around the nation as a model for growth management. All these accolades can be attributed to the significant involvement of the residents of Delray Beach. Every citizen of this City can claim authorhip to an unparalleled quality of life in a very diverse community that works in concert for an even better future. Delray Beach has become one of Florida's most popular destinations for visitors, new families and seasonal residents.
Delray Beach grew into a bustling city known for its unique architecture and thriving downtown-a winter resort where artists, writers and cartoonists came to escape the brutal winters and hone their crafts. Nationally known cartoonists Fontaine Fox and W.E. Pat Enright were among the luminaries who called Delray home.
Today, history plays a big role in the city's identity and future direction. Delray Beach is considered a leading figure in the state's growing historic preservation movement. The city has designated several neighborhoods as historic districts; places where residents are encouraged to preserve old homes as a living link to Delray's illustrious past.
In the heart of downtown Delray Beach is
Old School Square Cultural Arts Center, at 51 N. Swinton Ave. Once the Delray Beach High School, its grand buildings have been transformed in to the multi-million dollar centerpiece of the historic downtown shopping district. Old School Square houses a museum and theatre as well as an outdoor entertainment pavilion. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a gathering place for the community. It is the centerpiece of the historic downtown shopping district.
Adjacent to Old School Square is an emerging "artists colony" dubbed Pineapple Grove. The area includes sculpture designed by local artists.
Pineapple Grove ArtWalk presents the best of contemporary outdoor art in the casual setting of downtown Delray Beach. All the artwork is available for viewing 24 hours a day along Pineapple Grove Way, north of Atlantic Avenue. The downtown is chock full of art galleries and artists studios. The cultural Loop is a 1.3 mile walking trail in downtown Delray linking all the historic sites, cultural museums, restaurants and nightlife.
