Lack Of Land In Miami-Dade Has Developers Turning South

As land availability in Miami-Dade County continues to shrink, developers are turning their attention southward, particularly to the Homestead area and surrounding parts of South Dade.

Once known more for agriculture than housing, the region is seeing a surge in development activity.

In recent months, dozens of acres of farmland have been snapped up, and plans for hundreds of new housing units have been filed. At the center of the transformation is Homestead — traditionally seen as a gateway to the Everglades and the Florida Keys, rather than a hotspot for urban development.

According to Richard Candia, business development manager at Florida Lemark Corp. and a longtime Homestead resident, the shift is straightforward: “All the homebuilders are building down in South Dade because that’s the last place where there’s land.”

Historically a “bedroom community without bells and whistles,” as Candia put it, the area is now attracting large-scale projects that promise to reshape its future. Major developments, including a $275 million sports complex in Homestead and a $1.5 billion mixed-use redevelopment of Southland Mall in Cutler Bay, are key signs of the region’s rapid evolution.

“We’re not sexy — it’s not Brickell or the beach — and the New Yorkers aren’t looking down here. But there’s a lot going on,” Candia said.

Major Projects Transforming South Miami-Dade

Sports Performance Hub of Miami-Dade – Homestead

In August, the city approved an 80-year ground lease with VSGS Facilities LLC to develop a privately funded $275 million sports and recreation complex on 112.5 acres at Homestead Regional Park. The Sports Performance Hub will include a 10,000-seat multipurpose stadium, sports academy, and create an estimated 4,084 construction jobs and 513 permanent positions.

Southplace City Center – Cutler Bay

In February, American Landmark Apartments and BH Group broke ground on the $1.5 billion partial redevelopment of Southland Mall. The Southplace City Center will feature over:

• 5,000 multifamily units
• 500,000 sq. ft. of retail and dining
• A 60,000-sq.-ft. medical center
• A 150-room hotel

The first phase is expected to finish by Q3 2027. The Current at City Center apartments are among the new residential offerings.

Residential Expansion in the Redland and Florida City Areas

Redlands Ridge – Lennar Corp.

In September, a land bank affiliated with Lennar paid $16.25 million for 31 acres at Krome Avenue and SW 288th Street. The company plans 92 single-family homes under the Redlands Ridge project, with 10% reserved as workforce housing (for residents earning up to 140% of Area Median Income).

Legacy Villas at Palm Drive – Freehold Capital Management

In April, Boston-based Freehold Capital bought 50 acres near Florida City for $31.6 million. The planned Legacy Villas at Palm Drive will include 309 rental townhouses, with 10% designated for workforce housing.

Retro West – Lennar Corp.

In June, Lennar filed a pre-application to develop Retro West, a 106-townhouse community on a 19.83-acre site it acquired for $21.75 million. As with its other projects, 10% will be workforce housing.

Lennar Acquires Century Homebuilders Sites

Following the passing of Century Homebuilders’ founder, Lennar took over five of the company’s South Dade projects:

• March: $24.78 million for three sites (24.7 acres) near Florida City and Homestead — 117 townhouses and 108 single-family homes planned.
• April: $22.87 million for two additional sites (18.2 acres) in Florida City, with one already approved for 106 townhomes.

New D.R. Horton Projects

Arlington-based builder D.R. Horton filed pre-applications in June for two communities:

• 19300–19360 SW 344th St.: 190 townhouses and 57 single-family homes on 26.2 acres.
• 19400–19470 Mowry Drive: 34 single-family homes on 7.37 acres.

Industrial and Commercial Developments in South Dade

South Dade Logistics Hub

In July, Dade Land Advisors proposed a 3.9 million-square-foot industrial park on 237.7 acres near Homestead. The project — requiring an expansion of the Urban Development Boundary — would include logistics, warehousing, offices, light manufacturing, and data centers.

29601 SW 137th Ave. – Abreu Development

Abreu Development filed to rezone 30.9 acres west of Homestead Air Reserve Base for 673,000 square feet of industrial space. The mostly vacant land would be used for warehousing or self-storage.

Flightway Eighteen and Flightway Twenty – Blueteck

Coral Gables-based Blueteck filed revised plans to double its industrial/office flex space at SE 8th Street and SW 147th Avenue. The project will now include approximately 394,000 square feet of development across 8.25 acres.

Retail Development: Palm Cove Reserve Retail Center

J.F.M. Development Corp. has proposed a 46,000-square-foot retail center on 4.51 acres at East Palm Drive and SE 12th Avenue in Homestead. The site, adjacent to Lennar’s 296-unit Palm Cove Reserve townhouse community, will include 215 parking spaces and serve as a commercial anchor for nearby residents.

Conclusion

With little land left to develop in central and northern Miami-Dade, South Dade has become the county’s new frontier for growth. Once largely overlooked, Homestead, Redland, and Florida City are now attracting billions in residential, commercial, and industrial investments. As developers follow the land south, a once-sleepy agricultural region is fast becoming a major development hub.

Source: SFBJ