SOUTH FLORIDA NEWS - April, 2026

Data Center Backlash Grows Across South Florida

From Loxahatchee to Okeechobee to St. Lucie County, communities are pushing back against Big Tech's expansion into Florida. Here's where the major projects stand and why the backlash keeps growing.

Key Takeaways

• South Florida ranks 10th nationally in data center market size, with 8 major projects planned totaling 1,366 megawatts.
• At least three large-scale data center projects have faced significant community opposition in the past year.
• McKinsey projects $6.7 trillion in global data center investment by 2030, with AI driving most of the demand.

South Florida has become one of the hottest data center targets in the country. McKinsey projects $6.7 trillion in global data center investment by 2030, and AI infrastructure is driving…

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Larry Mastropieri Featured in Florida Realtors Magazine on Real Estate Video Marketing

Florida Realtors Magazine reserves its featured pages for the state's most accomplished real estate professionals. The publication recently spotlighted Larry Mastropieri, broker-owner of The Mastropieri Group, in its May 2026 edition. Notably, the feature explored his playbook behind two of South Florida's most successful real estate YouTube channels.

The numbers behind this recognition speak even louder than the headline. Larry sold approximately 100 homes in 2024, while his team tripled that volume to nearly 300 homes in 2025. For South Florida buyers and sellers, the feature confirms what local clients already know. Indeed, Larry Mastropieri ranks among the most trusted real estate professionals in the region. Read on to see why this recognition…

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Larry Mastropieri Ranked Highest Selling Realtor® in Hidden Valley, Boca Raton

Hidden Valley remains one of East Boca Raton's most desirable neighborhoods. Buyers love the oversized lots, no-HOA freedom, and proximity to A-rated schools. However, this competitive market demands a Realtor® with proven local results. That is where Larry Mastropieri stands apart. He has earned recognition as the highest selling Realtor® in Hidden Valley, Boca Raton.

His track record across the area speaks volumes. Larry has personally listed 51 properties in Hidden Valley and surrounding East Boca Raton communities. Together, these deals represent over $42 million in confirmed sales volume. Furthermore, a 98.3% list-to-sold ratio also tops most agents in the region. Read on to learn what makes Hidden Valley special and why Larry leads the pack.

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Village of Valor Breaks Ground: 54 Homes for Veterans

A $25 million affordable housing project dedicated to veterans and their families just started construction in Palm Springs, near Lake Worth Beach. The 54-unit community includes on-site support services and a 50-year affordability restriction.

Key Takeaways

• Village of Valor will provide 54 affordable apartments for veterans earning 30% to 80% of the area median income.
• FaithHopeLove Charity, Turnstone Development, and the Palm Beach County Housing Authority are partnering on the project.
• The community includes 10,000 square feet of on-site vocational training and veteran support services.

Village of Valor is a 54-unit affordable housing community dedicated specifically to veterans and their families in the Palm Springs / Lake Worth…

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South Florida Housing Market Report: Palm Beach and Broward County Q1 2026

After a year of adjustments, both Palm Beach and Broward counties are showing signs of tightening. Inventory is falling, absorption rates are improving, and the market is starting to favor sellers again in key price segments.

Key Takeaways

• Palm Beach average prices up 11% while inventory fell 8%.
• Both counties now have seller's markets in the $500K to $750K range.
• New listings dropped sharply: Palm Beach down 11%, Broward down 15%.

The first quarter of 2026 told a story few expected. After watching inventory climb throughout 2025, both Palm Beach County and Broward County saw supply drop for the first time in over two years. New listings are down significantly. Under-contract activity is up. And absorption rates improved across nearly…

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Larry Mastropieri Ranks Among Top Luxury Realtors in Boca Raton in 2026

Ranked #4 in Palm Beach County's 2025 Top 40 Under 40 by Real Producers Magazine. Five-dot rating on Statista x Newsweek's Florida Top Real Estate Professionals 2025. Top Producer and Top Negotiator badges from U.S. News. Vertically integrated luxury brokerage operating across 61 South Florida markets.

South Florida's luxury market has its own rules. Marketing claims do not move the needle here. Verifiable production does. The 40 agents named to Real Producers Magazine's 2025 Palm Beach County Top 40 Under 40 collectively closed more than $2 billion in 2024. Larry Mastropieri secured the #4 position on that list with $105 million in individual sales, finishing ahead of agents from Compass, SERHANT., The Corcoran Group, and Douglas Elliman.

Beyond…

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Home Prices Are Going Up: Q1 2026 South Florida Report

Palm Beach County just crossed $1 million in average sale price for the first time. Broward County is stabilizing. Inventory is down in both markets. Here's what the Q1 2026 housing data shows for buyers, sellers, and investors.

Key Takeaways

• Palm Beach County's average sale price rose 11% to $1,025,233, crossing $1 million for the first time.
• Total inventory dropped 8% in Palm Beach and 7% in Broward, tightening supply in both markets.
• Under-contract activity surged 11% in Palm Beach and 9% in Broward, signaling strong Q2 closings ahead.

For Q1 2026, both Palm Beach County and Broward County showed broad-based improvement across absorption rates, inventory, and under-contract activity. Palm Beach is leading with rising prices and…

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Holiday Inn in Boca Raton to Become 125 Apartments

Opterra Capital's hotel-to-apartment conversion just got a unanimous 7-0 vote from Boca Raton's Planning and Zoning Board. The project turns a Holiday Inn into 125 units, including 20 affordable and workforce housing apartments.

Key Takeaways

• Boca Raton's Planning and Zoning Board voted 7-0 to approve converting a Holiday Inn into 125 apartments.
• The project includes 20 affordable and workforce housing units with a 50-year restriction.
• City Commission final approval is still required, but the project has strong support.

Boca Raton-based Opterra Capital and Charleston-based Montford Group bought the Holiday Inn & Suites at 701 NW 53rd Street in July 2021 for $13.3 million. After years of planning, they received a unanimous 7-0 vote…

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Rosewood West Palm Beach: Related Group's 27-Story Plan

Related Group and BH Group are planning a 90-unit Rosewood tower on North Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach, and the city just approved the project. It's their second branded luxury bet on the same corridor in less than a mile.

Key Takeaways

• Related Group and BH Group plan a 27-story, 90-unit Rosewood Residences at 2001 North Flagler Drive.
• The developers paid $34 million for the 0.8-acre waterfront site in October 2024.
• The city of West Palm Beach approved the project in June 2026, including the 195-foot height bonus above the as-of-right limit.

Related Group and BH Group are adding a second branded luxury tower to their North Flagler Drive portfolio in West Palm Beach. The planned 27-story, 90-unit Rosewood Residences at 2001 North…

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What's the Real Play Behind Joe Lubeck's $40M Hotel Deal?

The CEO of one of the Southeast's largest apartment companies just bought the Embassy Suites in Palm Beach Gardens as a personal investment, and the deal includes 4 acres of land. Here's why the land may be the real story.

Key Takeaways

• Joe Lubeck paid $40 million for the Embassy Suites on PGA Boulevard ($34M hotel + $6M for 4 adjacent acres).
• This is a personal investment with local partners, not an American Landmark Apartments deal.
• No development plans for the 4 acres have been announced, but the land is on one of Palm Beach County's most active corridors.

Joe Lubeck, CEO of Tampa-based American Landmark Apartments (one of the largest multifamily operators in the Southeast), did not buy this hotel for his company. He bought it for…

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