An affiliate of The Breakers Palm Beach has purchased 2.4 acres on Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach, where it plans to build workforce housing for its employees. According to public records and the real estate database Vizzda, the acquisition cost was $9.1 million for the properties at 2410–2508 North Australian Avenue. The Breakers, led by Paul Leone, bought one section from the City of West Palm Beach for $660,000 and a larger parcel from VDG Partners Limited for $8.5 million.
In addition to these parcels, The Breakers affiliate already owns an adjacent property at 2600 North Australian Avenue, which was acquired in late 2024 for $2.3 million. Plans submitted to the city indicate that all sites will be combined for an eight-story apartment building with 155 units designated for The Breakers’ employees. This development received approval from the West Palm Beach City Commission last year.
This initiative is among the first large-scale employer-sponsored housing projects in Palm Beach County and aims to address increasing local housing costs that have affected hospitality and service workers’ ability to live near their workplaces.
The apartments will be available only to individuals employed by The Breakers, with a focus on seasonal and temporary staff positions.
The Breakers was established in 1896 by Henry Flagler and remains under family ownership through Flagler Systems, controlled by descendants of Mary Lily Kenan Flagler. With more than 2,400 employees, it is one of the largest employers in Palm Beach County and employs a significant number of foreign workers; last year it received approval to hire 249 H-2B visa workers.
Beyond workforce housing projects, The Breakers has expanded its presence in West Palm Beach’s real estate market. In December 2024, it purchased the former Palm Beach Post Office from Jeff Greene for $28 million as part of its broader investment strategy in the area.
