Originally written by Kurt Lehmann for the Delray Beach Pineapple newspaper, updated for 2026.
“Hi there, my name is Del Ida. Welcome home.”
Oh, here he goes again, dragging you in with a catchy title. Not this time. So who, or what, is Del Ida? If you’re going to call yourself a local, you’ll want to get to know this beloved historic district just north of downtown Delray Beach.
Where is Del Ida Park?
Del Ida Park sits east of North Swinton Avenue, north of NE 4th Street (Lake Ida Road) and south of George Bush Boulevard (NE 8th Street), running east to around NE 3rd Avenue near the train tracks. It’s a short walk or bike ride to Pineapple Grove and Atlantic Avenue.
The zip code is 33444; homes and the city’s historic marker on NE 2nd Avenue all carry 33444 addresses. Not sure how the downtown zip codes split? Read 33444 vs 33483, or see our Delray Beach 33444 guide.
Wait a minute, haven’t you seen a sign with that name on it? Now you get it. In 2009 the city and the Florida Department of State put up a historical marker on NE 2nd Avenue at George Bush Boulevard that sums up the neighborhood’s story.
A little history
Del Ida Park was recorded on September 18, 1923, right in the middle of Florida’s land boom. A Miami developer’s Ocean City Development Company bought the 58-acre tract with 300 lots and three pie-shaped public parks, and the streets were originally named after six U.S. presidents. Within days, the papers reported “Del-Ida Park is growing fast.”
The subdivision’s general contractor was Frederick Henry Link, a former craftsman at Addison Mizner’s workshops in West Palm Beach. In 1923 he started his own Mediterranean Revival home on NE 2nd Avenue, and that set the style for the neighborhood through about 1930. Here’s a little local trivia: Mr. Link’s daughter, Catherine Link Strong, grew up in Del Ida Park and became Delray Beach’s first woman mayor in 1954. Architect Samuel Ogren Sr. also designed many homes here.
When the boom went bust, building slowed until the 1940s and later, which is why you’ll see Mediterranean Revival, Mission and Craftsman homes alongside 1930s–40s frame houses and mid-century homes. The city designated the Del Ida Park Historic District in 1988, and in 2009 it extended the district’s period of significance to 1965 to recognize the post-war homes too.
Not your typical cookie-cutter neighborhood
What I find really interesting is that, even though Del Ida Park was a planned development, the diagonal side streets create odd-shaped lots and triangular blocks with all kinds of street frontages. Add those three little triangle parks and you have a neighborhood that feels nothing like a grid.
Homes in Del Ida Park
Expect restored historic homes, updated mid-century houses and some newer construction built to fit the district. Some parcels near the commercial edges are zoned for live/work use. I won’t quote old prices here; values have changed a lot since I first wrote this. To see what’s for sale now, use our VIP home search.
What buyers should know
- Historic review applies. Exterior changes, additions and new construction in a local historic district generally go through the city’s historic preservation review. Ask about a home’s contributing status before you buy.
- Odd lots, unique homes. Check setbacks and frontage on those diagonal-street lots if you’re planning to expand.
- Older homes, closer inspections. Roof, windows, wiring and plumbing all affect insurance on older homes.
Del Ida Park FAQ
What zip code is Del Ida Park in?
33444. It’s just north of downtown, east of Swinton Avenue.
When was Del Ida Park built and designated historic?
The subdivision was recorded in 1923, and the City of Delray Beach designated it a local historic district in 1988.
Can I renovate a home in Del Ida Park?
Yes, but exterior work usually needs city historic preservation approval. Interiors are generally more flexible. Check with the city before you plan.
Ready to call Del Ida home?
If Del Ida Park is on your list, or you own a home here and want to know what it’s worth in today’s market, start with a free home valuation or call Lehmann Realty at 888-644-3828. You can explore more neighborhoods on our Delray Beach communities page.
Lehmann Realty, 111 SE 2nd Street, Suite 102, Delray Beach, FL 33444.
