An affiliate of The Breakers Palm Beach has acquired 2.4 acres along Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach, where the company plans to develop workforce housing for its employees. The purchase included two parcels at 2410–2508 North Australian Avenue, with a total price of $9.1 million, according to public records and real estate database Vizzda. One parcel was bought from the City of West Palm Beach for $660,000, while the larger portion was acquired from VDG Partners Limited for $8.5 million.
The Breakers also owns an adjacent property at 2600 North Australian Avenue, which it purchased in late 2024 for $2.3 million. The combined sites will be used to build an eight-story apartment complex with 155 units reserved for employees of The Breakers, as outlined in documents filed with the city. The West Palm Beach City Commission approved the development last year.
This initiative is among the first major employer-backed housing projects in Palm Beach County and comes as local housing costs have increased, making it difficult for hospitality and service workers to find affordable accommodations.
Residents of the new apartments must work for The Breakers, and most units are expected to serve seasonal and temporary staff, according to published reports.
The Breakers was founded in 1896 by Henry Flagler and remains under family control through Flagler Systems, owned by descendants of Mary Lily Kenan Flagler. With over 2,400 employees, it is one of the largest employers in Palm Beach County and depends significantly on foreign labor; last year, it received approval to hire 249 H-2B visa workers.
In addition to this workforce housing project, The Breakers has been expanding its presence in local real estate. In December 2024, it purchased the former Palm Beach Post Office from Jeff Greene for $28 million as part of its continued investment in West Palm Beach.
