SOUTH FLORIDA NEWS - Larry Mastropieri

Inside the New Publix Mystery and Stephen Ross in West Palm Beach

On paper, it may seem like just another grocery store. But when you dig a little deeper, you’ll realize that Stephen Ross in West Palm Beach is quietly orchestrating a much bigger plan that could reshape the future of this downtown neighborhood. The city of West Palm Beach has recently taken steps to declare several key parcels near North Sapodilla Avenue as surplus, opening the door for the sale of those properties to Publix.

But what does this have to do with a grocery store? It’s all part of a larger strategy by Related Ross, the development company led by Stephen Ross, to assemble a sizable chunk of land in the heart of downtown. The result? A $10 billion vision to turn West Palm Beach into a thriving hub of business, innovation, and lifestyle.

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The Countdown to Opportunity Zones 2.0: What’s Changing in 2026

In 2026, Opportunity Zones aren’t just winding down, they’re resetting. This is the bridge year between OZ 1.0’s final deadline for new investments and the launch of Opportunity Zones 2.0 on January 1, 2027, with a new map and stricter standards that are expected to leave fewer qualifying areas. In other words, 2026 is the year investors decide whether their next decade of gains is tied to the expiring OZ 1.0 landscape or positioned for the more competitive Opportunity Zones 2.0 era.

Key Takeaways

• The original Opportunity Zone program sunsets at the end of 2026 before relaunching as Opportunity Zones 2.0 in January 2027.
  

• Stricter income thresholds under Opportunity Zones 2.0 are expected to reduce the number of eligible zones by…

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Manalapan luxury real estate gets a new benchmark after a $65M sale

The estate last sold for $28 million in 2021. Just four years later, it changed hands again, this time to billionaire optometrist, inventor, and investor Dr. Herbert Wertheim, for $61.75 million on the deed, or roughly $65 million when furnishings and credits are included, according to The Real Deal.

For anyone watching Manalapan luxury real estate, the message is clear: at the top of this market, buyers pay a premium for what can’t be recreated, scarce ocean-to-Intracoastal land, rare boating-and-beach access, and a level of privacy that simply isn’t available in most coastal neighborhoods.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Herbert A. Wertheim purchased a Manalapan mansion for about $65 million.

• The 18,126-square-foot oceanfront home last sold…

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Data Center in South Florida: What Project Tango Could Mean for Palm Beach County

They moved west for the open land, quiet nights, and that “still feels rural” vibe. Now neighbors are gearing up to fight a proposed data center in South Florida that could run 24/7, right next to new communities and within reach of a local school.

The project, known as Project Tango, was framed as Palm Beach County’s entry into the AI boom, and the plan wasn’t small. Developers had expanded proposals for a huge data center and warehouse campus on the 202.7 acre Central Park Commerce Center site at 20125 State Road 80 (Southern Blvd.). The County Planning Commission was set to consider the plans on Dec. 4, following an application filed by PBA Holdings and WPB Logistics Owner LLC. The development team was a partnership between Hartford Life and…

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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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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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Food Delivery Robots in Fort Lauderdale: What it means for Real Estate in Las Olas

Robots are officially delivering meals on Las Olas Boulevard. This is a signal on where Fort Lauderdale real estate is heading. The launch of food delivery robots in Fort Lauderdale highlights which neighborhoods are dense, walkable, and modern enough to support next-generation urban services. On December 5, Serve Robotics began autonomous deliveries for Uber Eats customers in Downtown Fort Lauderdale and along Las Olas Boulevard, placing Broward County on the map as a tech-ready, lifestyle-driven market. For buyers, renters, and investors, this rollout quietly reinforces why these areas continue to attract demand.

Key Takeaways

• Serve Robotics Fort Lauderdale robots began Uber Eats deliveries on Las Olas on Dec 5.

• Walkable areas with…

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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 headquarters…

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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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