Homebuilder GL Homes is significantly expanding its presence in Palm Beach County through strategic land acquisitions and the development of new communities. The company is set to transform a former golf course into a mixed-use residential area and is also developing a new community in West Palm Beach, signaling continued growth in the region.
Key Takeaways
- GL Homes is acquiring significant acreage in Palm Beach County for new residential projects.
- A former golf course near Lake Worth Beach is slated for a large development featuring apartments and single-family homes.
- The company is also launching a new community in West Palm Beach.
Development at The Falls Country Club
GL Homes is moving forward with plans to redevelop the former 168-acre Falls Country Club golf course, located west of Lake Worth Beach. The project, which requires Palm Beach County approval, is expected to include 300 apartments and 500 single-family homes, with no age restrictions. This development marks a significant shift for the site, which was previously farmland and then a private golf club designed by Joe Lee.
The proposed apartment buildings will be six stories high, a feature that has raised some concerns regarding height, though GL Homes maintains full compliance with county zoning codes. The development will feature nine lakes totaling 35 acres, intended to attract wildlife, and will include pedestrian pathways. The single-family homes will have their own amenities, including a clubhouse and sports courts, while the apartments will have separate recreational areas and entrances.
West Palm Beach Community
In addition to the Lake Worth Beach project, GL Homes is also developing a new community in West Palm Beach. While details are less extensive, this initiative further underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its housing offerings within Palm Beach County. These developments come at a time when residential developers are increasingly acquiring former golf courses across South Florida due to diminishing open land.
Community Impact and Approvals
The proposed development at The Falls Country Club is situated near existing communities such as Smith Farm, Lake Charleston, and Winston Trails. The Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations (COBWRA) has expressed concerns about the height of the apartment buildings but has voted to recommend approval, contingent on potential height reductions. GL Homes has stated that its plans adhere to all county development codes, including density and height limits, without requiring variances.
The company has a history of successfully converting golf courses into residential areas, having undertaken similar projects at Polo Trace and the former Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course. The Falls development will be located outside the Ag Reserve, a protected area in the southern part of the county. The county commission is expected to review the plan in early 2026, with GL Homes seeking to rezone the property from commercial recreation to a planned-unit development.
Sources
- GL Homes buys land in Westlake from Minto Communities, The Business Journals.
- GL Homes announces new community in West Palm Beach, The Business Journals.
- Closed golf course near Lake Worth Beach may be GL Homes community, The Palm Beach Post.