Morton’s The Steakhouse closed its downtown West Palm Beach location after more than three decades, marking the end of a longtime anchor of the city’s business dining scene.
The May 31 closure comes as the surrounding Flagler Drive corridor evolves with new development, shifting work patterns and a wave of newer restaurants redefining what upscale dining looks like.
While the company points to a lease expiration, the factors behind the exit reflect broader changes in how and where people dine in a city increasingly shaped by finance, tech and corporate relocations.
1. The closure came down to a lease ending, not a sudden shutdown
Morton’s closed May 31, 2026, following what the company described as the “natural expiration” of its lease. Landlord Related Ross confirmed the restaurant chose not to renew at Phillips Point, thanking the brand for its years in the building as renovations move forward.
2. The brand is consolidating, not leaving the region
In a statement, Landry’s’ Chief Operating Officer Scott Crain said the company is working to transition employees to the company’s nearby restaurants and will continue serving local patrons at its Boca Raton location.
Landry’s, the Houston-based mega hospitality company that owns Morton’s along with other fun and upscale concepts, operates famous restaurant brands across South Florida, including Del Frisco’s Grille and Mastro’s Ocean Club in Fort Lauderdale.
The move reflects repositioning rather than a full departure from the market.
3. No lunch service meant missing the power lunch crowd
For decades, Morton’s was synonymous with business dining in downtown West Palm Beach, but its schedule no longer aligned with a changing market. The restaurant opened in the early evening for happy hour and dinner, skipping lunch entirely.
In a city courting next-gen tenants, that left a gap: there’s no power lunch when you’re not open for lunch.
4. New competition reshapes what upscale dining looks like
While Morton’s leaned into a classic steakhouse format, the surrounding dining scene evolved. Across Flagler Drive, Milos (another chain) draws full dining rooms and a steady see-and-be-seen crowd, while newer concepts emphasize design, energy and waterfront views.
Demand for high-end dining hasn’t disappeared — it’s shifted.
5. What’s next for the Morton’s space?
Meanwhile, Related Ross, owner of the Phillips Point office complex, continues to revamp the buildings’ exteriors.
The $120 million redo includes the redo of the complex’s iconic pink exterior to white limestone. It also includes new hurricane-resistant windows and a full backup generator.
The renovation, designed by noted architect Roger Ferris, is expected to be completed later this year.
Not only is the renovation needed to add safer windows to the building, it also is a nod to the increasingly modern look of downtown West Palm Beach, now home to financial and technology firms.
As for the former Morton’s spot, Related Ross officials were mum. But word is the firm still hasn’t decided on plans for the prime, ground floor space.
Diana Biederman is the Palm Beach Post’s food and dining reporter. Connect via dbiederman@pbpost.com. Alexandra Clough is a business writer at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at aclough@pbpost.com. X: @acloughpbp. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 5 things to know about Morton’s West Palm Beach restaurant closing
Reporting by Diana Biederman and Alexandra Clough, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Diana Biederman and Alexandra Clough, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
