Florida Farmland Goes for $16.5 M: 38.5 Acres Sold to Major Homebuilder Despite Local Pushback

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It’s a familiar story in Florida—farmland gives way to development, and not everyone is happy about it. This time, a 38.5-acre plot in Miami-Dade County, once used to grow avocados, has been sold to Lennar Homes, one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., for $16.5 million. While some might see this as progress, local residents have voiced concerns about what it means for the future of their community.

The story began back in 2022 when Lennar Homes had its eye on a 39.5-acre site owned by JMC Groves LLC at the northeast corner of Southwest 162nd Avenue and Southwest 276th Street. The homebuilder initially sought approval to build 196 single-family homes on the property, but that quickly sparked pushback from local residents who worried that such a large development would change the character of their area.

In March 2023, Lennar applied to Miami-Dade County for a change to the Comprehensive Development Master Plan, which would allow for more homes to be built on the land. This move didn’t sit well with many in the community, particularly the group known as The Concerned Citizens of Redland. On their Facebook page, residents expressed their frustration with the potential development.

It seems the collective efforts of these residents may have made a difference—at least somewhat. Though Lennar initially aimed for 196 homes, the company is now approved to build just 96 homes on the site, a significant reduction from their original plan. Still, the sale went through, and in mid-September 2024, Lennar officially purchased the land for $16.575 million, or roughly $430,519 per acre.

While development in Florida is often seen as inevitable, especially with the state’s growing population, the sale of this farmland strikes a chord with those who believe such spaces should be preserved. The battle between progress and preservation is far from over, but for now, the land once used to grow avocados will soon be home to nearly 100 new families.

As for the residents of Redland, while their efforts may have reduced the scope of the development, it’s clear that they’ll keep fighting to maintain the community they cherish.