A home matters. So does what happens beyond its front door. The story of Century Village is about bringing the two together: a place of one’s own, and opportunities to enjoy life with other people.
The lawyer who became a developer
H. Irwin Levy’s route to Century Village began with a legal career. After military service and college, he completed his law degree at the University of Miami. He and his first wife, Jeanne, settled in the Palm Beaches in 1951, where he developed a substantial law practice.
His obituary describes a lawyer experienced in business and real-estate restructurings who went on to establish Cenvill Communities. By 1969, he had stopped actively practicing law and was leading the company associated with Century Village’s development. [3]
The shift connected two kinds of work: organizing a complicated real-estate venture and recognizing what prospective residents wanted from their next chapter of life.
A difficult beginning—and a different approach
The Historical Society of Palm Beach County dates the undertaking to 1968, when Levy and three clients began developing Century Village. The project initially struggled. Levy took over management and developed an approach combining modestly priced condominium apartments with extensive facilities for active retirement. [2]
A 2012 UCO Reporter interview dates construction to December 1968 and a notice of commencement to January 20, 1969. The recorded instrument has not been independently examined here. [1]
Florida’s retirement-community story predates Century Village. Sun City Center’s community history dates its opening to December 30, 1961. Century Village is appropriately described here as a pioneering South Florida retirement community, without assigning it a disputed place in a statewide ranking. [4]
Selling a way of life
In the 2012 interview, Levy recalled attracting early buyers already living or vacationing in Miami Beach, then reaching people nearing retirement in New York and nearby states. He described recreation, entertainment and classes as central to the offer. Red Buttons helped communicate a welcome to Jewish buyers. [1]
“we were selling a way of life”H. Irwin Levy, interviewed by Joy Vestal, UCO Reporter, July 2012, page A1.
The appeal was the combination: private condominium ownership alongside places to gather, take part and make friends. The Historical Society emphasizes inexpensive housing and substantial shared amenities as defining features of Levy’s approach. [2]
Our historical photo collection makes that idea tangible. A boat on the lake, a game at the clubhouse and an afternoon by the pool show the many ways residents could fill a day.
Building a community with its residents
Levy recalled investing in prefabricated construction equipment to meet demand. He also described extended quarterly meetings with residents about the Village and its recreational facilities. The clubhouse evolved, with rooms and a theater added over time. These details come from his retrospective account, rather than a separately verified construction chronology. [1]
The residents gave the physical setting its social life. Flip Schulke’s photographs show neighbors sharing meals, gathering for games, exercising, cycling and making music at home. They preserve a community in use, alongside scenes of the buildings still taking shape. [5]
A developer could provide the setting. The friendships, clubs and everyday rituals depended on the people who made their homes here.
A legacy visible in everyday life
The Historical Society reports that the West Palm Beach development had sold out by 1974. Levy’s obituary describes the subsequent growth of Cenvill into three additional Century Village communities and Wynmoor Village. He died on July 31, 2023, aged 97. [2] [3]
The legacy worth exploring here is the original pairing of affordability and opportunity: homes for retirees, supported by a setting designed for recreation and connection. Recognizing that history does not require assuming that every building, service or financial arrangement remains as it was.
For today’s residents, these early scenes offer a reminder of what deserves care: the places where people gather, the welcome extended to a new neighbor, and the shared effort that keeps community life enjoyable.
Good Times at Century Village
Explore the Flip Schulke collection: 39 historical photographs of construction, recreation, friendship and everyday Village life, with original National Archives captions and source links.
Explore the Flip Schulke photo collection →When President Obama came to Century Village
Explore the July 19, 2012 visit through the official speech transcript and the UCO Reporter’s special coverage.
Read about the presidential visit →Sources & historical notes
- Joy Vestal, “An Interview with H. Irwin Levy,” UCO Reporter, July 2012, page A1. Levy’s firsthand recollections reported decades after the development began.
- Historical Society of Palm Beach County, “Condominiums,” Century Village section. An independent historical overview of the development and its concept.
- H. Irwin Levy obituary, 2023. Biographical and family memorial account; used for career background, later developments and life dates.
- Sun City Center Community Association, “Brief History of Sun City Center.” Context for Florida’s earlier retirement-community development.
- U.S. National Archives, “DOCUMERICA – Flip Schulke” album. Photographs made for the EPA project; the Century Village image records identify Flip Schulke and list use as unrestricted.
Prepared October 25, 2026. This page distinguishes published history from attributed recollections. Historical unit counts vary among sources and are omitted from the narrative. The photographs are documentary illustrations of Village life, not portraits of Levy. Independent community history; no endorsement by the Levy family, UCO, WPRF or the National Archives is implied.