Flagler 's house lots were bought by the beneficiaries of the Gilded Age , and in 1902 Flagler himself built a Beaux-Arts mansion , Whitehall , designed by the New York -- based firm Carrère and Hastings and helped establish the Palm Beach winter `` season '' by constantly entertaining .
Flagler 's land for houses was bought by people active in the Gilded Age , and in 1902 Flagler himself built a Beaux-Arts mansion named Whitehall , designed by the New York -- based firm Carrère and Hastings and helped start the Palm Beach winter `` season '' by entertaining visitors .