SOUTH FLORIDA NEWS - January, 2026

Stephen Ross Buys The Ben Hotel in a $190M Move that Reinforces West Palm Beach Growth

According to Bloomberg, the billionaire’s firm, Related Ross, has agreed to acquire The Ben from Wheelock Street Capital for a reported price of about $190 million. Stephen Ross buys The Ben hotel in what could become one of downtown West Palm Beach’s most significant hospitality transactions in recent years. If the deal closes as expected, it reinforces Ross’s expanding bet on West Palm Beach and highlights growing institutional confidence in the city’s downtown core. The move goes beyond tourism, pointing to rising demand tied to business travel, executive activity, and events that increasingly influence office leasing, restaurant traffic, and nearby residential values.

Key Takeaways

• Stephen Ross buys The Ben hotel in a reported $190 million…

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Ampera’s nuclear energy headquarters is moving to South Florida

South Florida just landed a nuclear energy headquarters. A company called Ampera picked Palm Beach Gardens for its global base and signed a lease for nearly 100,000 square feet across two buildings at 354 and 358 Hiatt Drive. Move-in is slated for January next year. Ampera’s nuclear energy headquarters is another sign that energy demand, advanced technology, and commercial real estate are starting to overlap in Palm Beach County.

Key Takeaways

• Ampera’s nuclear energy headquarters is moving to Palm Beach Gardens after leasing about 100,000 SF.

• Ampera focuses on transportable 15–30 MW nuclear microreactors.

• The company expects to hire about 100 local employees by late 2026.

Where Ampera’s nuclear energy…

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Palm Beach Oceanfront Condo Project Moves Forward on Condominium Row

After months of hearings, revisions, and tight scrutiny, town officials gave initial approval to a new Palm Beach oceanfront condo project planned for the Ambassador/Edgewater site on South Ocean Boulevard. The plan still isn’t final, but clearing this step is a big deal in a town known for slow, tough reviews.

Developers OKO Group and Cain International got the green light after multiple rounds of changes since first appearing before Palm Beach’s famously strict Architectural Review Commission in March. The project is moving forward with approval to demolish both existing buildings on the site: the Ambassador Palm Beach Hotel & Residences at 2730 S. Ocean Blvd. and the Edgewater building at 2720 S.

Key Takeaways

• The Palm Beach oceanfront…

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53% of Home Values Declined in U.S. Last Year

Half the country is watching home values slide. South Florida is quietly becoming the exception. If you’ve seen headlines saying Home Values declined in the U.S, you’re not imagining it. Zillow’s latest data shows 53% of U.S. homes lost value over the past year (the highest share since 2012). 

But here’s the part most people miss: a short-term dip is not the same thing as being “underwater,” and it’s not the same thing as losing the long-term wealth many owners built since they bought.

Key Takeaways

• Home Values declined in the U.S means year-over-year estimated values fell for 53% of homes.

• Only 4.1% of homes are worth less than their last sale price, which shows most owners still have a cushion. 

• South Florida has had…

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Larry Mastropieri Listed Among Top 40 Under 40 of 2025 by Real Producers

The latest Real Producers’ Top 40 Under 40 magazine has been rolled out, showcasing exceptional young talent. Being named among the top Realtors® in South Florida is a reflection of sustained excellence, leadership, and meaningful impact. This year, that distinction belongs to Larry Mastropieri, a name that has quickly become synonymous with high standards and forward-thinking real estate expertise.

We are pleased to announce that Larry Mastropieri has ranked 4th in the Top 40 Under 40 by Real Producers. This milestone celebrates both professional achievement and personal discipline, marking a defining moment in a career that continues to gain momentum. It’s not just an award, it’s a milestone worth celebrating!  

Key Takeaways from the Article

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UAE investment in Wellington Florida and the equestrian real estate boom

Abu Dhabi–based Modon Holding has taken a minority stake in Wellington Lifestyle Partners (WLP)—the company that owns the Wellington International showgrounds and a growing set of club and real estate projects across Wellington. In plain terms, this is UAE investment in Wellington Florida flowing into the full equestrian ecosystem: land, festivals, clubs, and future development.

Mark Bellissimo, a founder and co‑owner of WLP, confirmed the deal and said the partners plan to hold the business for the long term. He expects the partnership to lift the international profile of the Winter Equestrian Festival and Adequan Global Dressage Festival at Wellington International, reinforcing the link between the sport and nearby housing demand.

Key takeaways

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Miami to West Palm air taxi routes could start in 2026

In a couple of years, that 90-minute Miami to West Palm drive could shrink to a quiet 20-minute hop in an electric air taxi. Picture this: you leave a meeting in West Palm, board a sleek eVTOL, and land in Miami before your coffee cools. That’s the promise as Archer Aviation rolls out Midnight, a piloted electric aircraft that takes off and lands vertically and seats four, building a new network that links Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, and West Palm Beach, and makes the Miami to West Palm air taxi a real option.

Key Takeaways

• Miami to West Palm air taxi routes could start in 2026, pending FAA and city approvals.
  

• Early flights target 20-minute hops with $150–$200 fares, making an electric air taxi Miami to West Palm a faster…

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Couple Who Sold Stallone Palm Beach House List $85M Manalapan home

Selling your Palm Beach house to Sylvester Stallone and, five years later, listing your next place for $85 million isn’t luck. It’s a playbook. The same couple, Ron and Cindy McMackin, moved 15 miles south, leveled up to an ocean‑to‑lake compound with a private beach tunnel, and now they’re testing one of Manalapan’s boldest price points.

The story starts with a Palm Beach lakefront sale to Stallone in December 2020 and lands at 1660 S. Ocean Blvd., a trophy Manalapan home spanning from the Intracoastal to the Atlantic. Add a tunnel, a wellness wing, and resort amenities, and you get a rare property class that trades more on irreplaceable frontage than on square footage alone.

Key Takeaways

• The Manalapan home listed for $85 million is an…

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