GL Homes Wins Approval for 524 Home Development on Former Calusa Golf Course

• GL Homes secured approval to build 524 single-family homes in West Kendall
• Project follows years of opposition tied to environmental and community concerns
• Development replaces a 168-acre shuttered golf course

What the approval means for West Kendall development

After years of debate, GL Homes has received approval to move forward with a major residential development on the former Calusa Golf Course in West Kendall. The Miami-Dade County Commission voted 8-5 to approve a zoning change, clearing a key hurdle for the project. This decision allows the developer to move ahead with plans to transform the long vacant site into a large-scale housing community.

What the reduced scale means for the project

The approved plan calls for 524 homes, significantly scaled down from the original proposal of 1,300 units. This reduction reflects years of negotiations and pressure from community groups and environmental advocates. The site spans 168 acres and has remained unused since the golf course closed in 2011, making it a prime redevelopment opportunity in a supply-constrained area.

What the opposition says about future development risk

The project faced strong pushback from residents and activists, particularly over environmental concerns tied to wildlife on the property.

Community advocate Amanda Prieto, who led opposition efforts, called the decision “a tremendous loss for the community,” highlighting ongoing tension between development and preservation.

For developers, this underscores a key risk. Even with strong housing demand, community resistance can significantly reshape project scope and timelines.

What this means for developers and housing supply

For GL Homes, the approval represents a major win and opens the door to deliver new single-family housing in a high-demand Miami submarket. More broadly, the project reflects the ongoing push to convert underutilized land into residential supply as population growth continues across South Florida.

What to watch as the project moves forward

Next steps will include final planning, permitting, and eventual construction timelines. Market conditions and buyer demand will also play a role in how quickly the project is delivered. For investors, the takeaway is clear. Large-scale residential development remains viable in South Florida, but entitlement risk and community opposition remain key factors.