The Downtowners – Amelia Ostrosky, Downtown West Palm Beach Resident
August 29th, 2024
Meet Amelia Ostrosky, whose storied four-decade-long education career included stints as a principal at the elementary, middle and senior high school levels. She was the founding principal at Middle School of the Arts (now known as Bak Middle School of the Arts) and later served as principal of Alexander Dreyfoos School of the Arts — two schools widely considered to be the premiere educational gems in Palm Beach County. She’s also been a longtime resident of Downtown West Palm Beach, so she’s experienced firsthand its impressive growth.
How did you end up living in Downtown West Palm Beach?
When I was at Dreyfoos, I walked every morning at 5:30 a.m. with a group of staff members. One morning, my supervisor called me and said, “Amelia, there is going to be a new condo building Downtown and it is you!” His comment resonated with me, so after my walk that following Saturday, I checked out the sales office. Without hesitation, I walked in with my checkbook and placed a pre-construction deposit
on the Esplanade Grande. Three years later in April 2003, I moved in and never looked back.
What do you like most about living in Downtown West Palm Beach?
I love the vibrancy and the culture. I live within walking distance of Palm Beach Dramaworks and have the most beautiful view of the Intracoastal and the ocean, with beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The restaurants are great and I love visiting the bustling West Palm Beach
GreenMarket on Saturdays and going to the concerts on Sundays at the Meyer Amphitheater. And you can’t beat the convenience of being
so close to the airport, Brightline, Tri-Rail and Amtrak.
What do you do for fun in Downtown West Palm Beach?
When I’m not traveling with my partner Don Montano, I spend my time at The Yoga Society on Clematis Street. The Yoga Society has been a lifesaver for me as it has taught me to cherish the mind, body and soul. This studio overflows with positivity and challenges me physically and mentally.
How have you seen Downtown West Palm Beach evolve?
When I moved Downtown it was a city still finding its way. I enjoyed serving on the Downtown Development Authority board and the waterfront committee under the leadership of Lois Frankel, former Mayor of West Palm Beach. Over the two decades since I moved
here, Downtown West Palm Beach has become the place to be! Now we just have to manage our growth, so we can maintain our city’s
waterfront beauty and unmatched quality of life.