UTP 1.17

Sylvester Stallone abandoned his controversial plans to install a seaweed barrier in the Intracoastal Waterway near his $35 million North End home in Palm Beach following strong pushback from angered neighbors and town officials. The Hollywood star announced his decision at a town council meeting in December, where he was joined by his wife, Jennifer Flavin. The proposal sought to install a floating fence in the Intracoastal Waterway to prevent trash and seaweed from washing up along Stallone’s private beach. It was designed to extend eight inches above the waterline and ten inches below, anchored to the lakebed using nylon ropes and eyelets attached to six support piles. However, neighbors and council members argued it would restrict public access to the scenic waterway, creating safety hazards for boaters and kayakers. Mayor Danielle Moore opposed the project, calling it a “bad precedent” and a “bad idea.” Stallone defended his intentions, raising concerns about derelict boats, environmental damage, and Riviera Beach’s proposed mooring field near his property. “There’s a lot of traffic that comes there because of our notoriety,” he continued, according to reports. “The tremendous amount of lookey-lous, fishermen and tour boats. Turtles have been hit. A lot of trash and garbage. We’re trying to make this pristine.” Council President Bobbie Lindsay didn’t sympathize with the Rocky actor’s stardom but did praise his passion for preserving the waterway — although she was insistent the council would not support his barrier plan. The actor then made his decision to withdraw the application which sparked applause from attendees. “On behalf of all the neighbors, we cannot thank you enough,” North End resident Susan Gary told him. “You are great neighbors and you’ve been here a long time, and we respect your work and the way you see this,” Stallone said, adding: “This was not just a vanity thing.”

Meanwhile, a waterfront lot next to Jeff Bezos’ South Florida properties is on the market for $200 million. The 1.84-acre Indian Creek lot, located on the exclusive “Billionaire Bunker” island, is being brokered by Ilya Reznik, who declined to name the seller, Bloomberg reports, but confirmed they are “willing to negotiate.” The Amazon founder has purchased three Indian Creek properties since 2023, including two neighboring the lot. “I think $200 million is a big number but I’m confident that in the end the buyer will pay a little extra because Bezos is a neighbor,” Reznik said. The land last sold for $27.5 million in 2018.

Indian Creek resident Tom Brady spent New Year’s Eve with sons Jack, 17, Benjamin, 15, and daughter Vivian, 12, expressing that he “couldn’t have imagined a better way to ring in the new year.” The retired NFL star wrote: “Reflecting on last year and thinking about the year ahead, there’s no better perspective than looking at these three and always trying to be better for them each day, and helping to guide them in whatever way possible.” Brady continued to count his blessings but admitted, “no year ever goes exactly the way we want.” Brady shares Benjamin and Vivian with ex-wife Gisele Bündchen, who has moved on with her jiu-jitsu trainer, Joaquim Valente, with the couple now expecting their first child together. Brady and Bündchen were married from 2009 to 2022 — and Brady hasn’t commented on her pregnancy news since it made headlines in October.

We hear…

Christie Brinkley and Carson Kressley were announced as hosts for the 14th annual American Humane Hero Dog Awards Gala in Palm Beach on Jan. 8, known as the “Oscars for Canines.”

Country music icon Wynonna Judd was set to headline the Boca West Children’s Foundation 15th Anniversary Gala on Jan. 18, which celebrates local champions who have made a lasting impact on the lives of children in Boca Raton and Palm Beach County. 

Art collector Jane Holzer was celebrated at the 22nd Annual Archival Evening presented by the Historical Society of Palm Beach at The Colony Hotel in December. The model, known as the “original Andy Warhol girl” was called a “living angel” by attendee Jean Shafiroff. 

Sightings…

Camilla Luddington and Jessica Capshaw of Grey’s Anatomy enjoyed a spa day at The Colony Hotel on Dec. 10, while Jon Voight was spotted there on Dec. 18. The Colony Palm Beach owner Sarah Wetenhall was joined by Aerin Lauder for the ceremonial lighting of The Colony Hotel’s Christmas Tree last month.

Boca Raton resident Jill Zarin attended a holiday party hosted by Marysol Patton at her Coconut Grove home on Dec. 6. Meanwhile, Zarin’s daughter Ally Shapiro dined at The Boca Raton’s Japanese Bocce Club on Dec. 17.

Social media influencer Olivia Oshry recently visited the Zoo Lights exhibit at the Palm Beach Conservation Society for a family trip.

Jena Sims Koepka, wife of pro golfer Brooks Koepka, recently celebrated her 36th birthday at waterfront restaurant 1000 North in Jupiter with a bunch of girlfriends.