A two-story Mission Revival commercial building in West Palm Beach, envisioned by developer D.F. Dunkle in 1924 and later home to a hotel.
At a glance
The Ferndix Building is a historic commercial structure in Mission and Spanish Revival style, located at 401 Fern Street (also known as 321 South Dixie Highway) in West Palm Beach. The building was designed by David Forest “D.F.” Dunkle, a local developer who served as mayor of West Palm Beach.
History
Dunkle envisioned the Ferndix Building around 1924 as a commercial venture during West Palm Beach’s early development. From 1925 to the mid-1940s, the structure operated as a hotel, establishing itself as a community landmark. The building subsequently housed various businesses over the decades. On July 22, 1999, it was recognized for its historical importance and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What you see
The building is a two-story structure employing the Mission and Spanish Revival architectural vocabulary popular in Florida during the 1920s, a period of rapid growth and aesthetic experimentation in the state.
Cultural significance
As a surviving example of 1920s commercial architecture in West Palm Beach, the Ferndix Building documents the city’s early entrepreneurial character and the influence of its development-minded leadership during a formative period.
Key facts
- Location: 401 Fern Street, West Palm Beach, Florida, United States
- Also listed as: 321 South Dixie Highway
- Date: c. 1924
- Developer: David Forest “D.F.” Dunkle
- Style: Mission/Spanish Revival
- Hotel operation: 1925–mid-1940s
- National Register listing: July 22, 1999
- Coordinates: 26.71055556, −80.05416667
Practical information & getting there
The Ferndix Building is located on Fern Street in West Palm Beach, a city in southeast Florida accessible by car via Interstate 95 and local highways. Public transit options are available through the local transit authority. Specific visiting hours and access information should be confirmed locally.
Sources & resources
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Become a Cultural Heritage Online photographer
Share your photos of places: they stay published under your name as the author. The more they're seen, the more you get noticed — and soon a contest will reward the most appreciated photos.
Log in or sign up free to add a photoIs this page about you?
This page is read by travellers and heritage enthusiasts who find it on Google. Tell us how you are connected to this place and we will take it from there.