HousingWire Daily Alex Akel on the opportunity for homebuilders in South Florida
Nov 12, 2025
Alex Akel, President of Akel Homes, shares insights from over 40 years in South Florida's homebuilding industry. He discusses the rising importance of resort-style amenities, especially for 55-plus buyers prioritizing lifestyle. The conversation also tackles challenges such as hurricane insurance, land scarcity, and potential tax changes. Akel explains how tariffs affect material costs and emphasizes the need for land-use reform to combat NIMBYism, all while hinting at exciting plans for the new Catalina Palms community in Port St. Lucie.
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Lifestyle-Driven Communities Win Buyers
- Akel Homes focuses on lifestyle-driven master-planned communities with resort-style amenities to add value beyond the house.
- Alex Akel says buyers want community experiences as much as high-quality homes in South Florida.
Club Catalina: Amenities Built First
- Alex describes Club Catalina: a 56,000 sq ft clubhouse with restaurants, theater, fitness, salons, and pickleball.
- He emphasizes building amenities early so retirees can enjoy lifestyle shortly after moving in.
Land Scarcity Intensifies Local Pressure
- South Florida faces the same macro pressures as the rest of the U.S. plus local constraints like expensive, scarce developable land.
- Alex says Akel is fortunate to hold land for the next 20 years, which protects them from entry barriers.