The Breakers Secures West Palm Beach Site for $9 Million Workforce Housing Project

The Breakers Palm Beach acquires a 2.4 acre site for $9.1 million to develop a 155 unit apartment complex dedicated to housing its hospitality workforce in Florida.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 7:13 AM EDT

Source: The Real Deal

The Strategic Land Assemblage and Financial Terms

The acquisition involved two primary transactions to secure the site located at 2410–2508 North Australian Avenue. The Breakers, under the leadership of Paul Leone, purchased a portion of the land from the City of West Palm Beach for $660,000, while a larger adjacent parcel was acquired from VDG Partners Limited for $8.5 million. This new acreage complements a neighboring property at 2600 North Australian Avenue that the affiliate purchased in late 2024 for $2.3 million. By consolidating these parcels, the resort owners have cleared the path for a mid-rise multifamily project specifically tailored to their operational needs.

Addressing the Hospitality Housing Crisis in South Florida

This project represents a pioneering model for employer-backed housing in Palm Beach County. As real estate valuations in the region continue to climb, many service and hospitality workers find themselves priced out of the local market. The proposed eight-story complex is designed to mitigate this pressure by offering 155 units exclusively to individuals employed by The Breakers. This proactive approach aims to stabilize the resort's labor force by providing affordable, accessible living arrangements within the community they serve.

Support for Seasonal and International Staffing

The Breakers is one of the largest private employers in the region, maintaining a staff of over 2,400 people. Due to the seasonal nature of luxury hospitality, the resort relies heavily on temporary and foreign labor, including hundreds of workers on H-2B visas. The new apartment complex will primarily cater to these seasonal employees, ensuring that the resort can maintain its high service standards despite the volatility of the local rental market. The West Palm Beach City Commission granted approval for the development last year, recognizing the necessity of such infrastructure for the city's economic engine.