An affiliate of The Breakers Palm Beach has acquired 2.4 acres along Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach, where it plans to develop workforce housing exclusively for its employees. Property records and data from Vizzda indicate that the resort’s owner paid a total of $9.1 million for the land at 2410–2508 North Australian Avenue. The purchases included a $660,000 transaction with the City of West Palm Beach and an $8.5 million deal with VDG Partners Limited, which is based in West Palm Beach.
The affiliate also owns an adjacent property at 2600 North Australian Avenue, bought in late 2024 for $2.3 million. All sites will be combined to build an eight-story apartment building with 155 units designated for Breakers employees, according to city filings. The West Palm Beach City Commission approved the development last year.
This initiative represents one of the first major employer-backed housing projects in Palm Beach County, addressing rising local housing costs that have affected hospitality and service workers’ ability to live near their workplaces.
Only employees of The Breakers will be eligible to live in these apartments, with most units intended for seasonal and temporary staff members.
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, his third wife. With over 2,400 employees, The Breakers is among 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 holders.
In addition to this project, The Breakers has been expanding its real estate holdings in the area. In December 2024, it purchased the former Palm Beach Post Office from Jeff Greene for $28 million as part of a broader investment strategy in West Palm Beach.
