The property's complicated history began around December 1983 when the original Articles of Incorporation were written and recorded in Palm Beach County public records.
The original Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions was recorded in February 1984 in Book 4158, page 205. An August 1988 amendment split the property into Phase I and Phase II, with legal descriptions provided.
Phase I included 118 acres of common property, 266 acres of platted lots, and 146 acres of golf course property. The Stonewal Country Club — which would later become the Estate Course at PGA National — was incorporated the same month.
From 1983 through 1994, adverse situations limited development, including multiple name changes and several bankruptcies of the original developer and declarant (Tom Waldron, Supertrail, and others).
Starting in 1995, lots were sold to different builders from bankruptcy court, and the community began establishing itself. In 1997, individual lot owners took control of the Board of Directors — a pivotal moment in the community's self-governance.
The Association settled legal entanglements with the original Declarant, clearing the path for the community to move forward with full autonomy and stability.
In August 2005, a 100-acre property known as the LYEC III / Campbell property was annexed into the Association, comprising 34 platted one-acre lots (Plat 3 of Phase I). These Campbell lots, located in the southwest corner of the community, remain undeveloped.
Phase II encompasses approximately 485 acres of land, including developable land and preserve areas. It was purchased out of bankruptcy by Lennar/Centrex, who named the property "The Preserve at Bay Hill Estates." Lennar recorded its Declaration in May 2008 in Book 22669, Page 1594.
Following the Lennar/Centrex bankruptcy, CRVI (Cypress Realty) acquired the property in August 2008.
In October 2011, CRVI agreed to sell lots to Palm Beach West Associates III (PBWA), a GL Homes subsidiary. An agreement reached in 2015 between Phase I and Phase II is recorded in Book 27211, page 1772 — formally defining how the two associations would operate together going forward.
Bay Hill Estates continues to grow as one of Palm Beach Gardens' most desirable gated communities. With approximately 250 single-family homes on 1-acre lots, 24-hour staffed security, and proximity to world-class golf, beaches, and amenities, the community stands as a testament to the perseverance of its residents and board over more than four decades.