Lennar Purchases Miami HQ in $68M Deal After Years of Leasing

Introduction

After years of leasing, Lennar Corporation, a leading homebuilder in the US, has finally purchased its national headquarters. The company has acquired a prime piece of real estate in Miami's Blue Lagoon business district for a whopping $68 million, according to recent property records.

Property Details

The building, located at 5505 Blue Lagoon Drive, boasts a generous 213,182 square feet of space. Its prime location just south of the Dolphin Expressway offers a stunning view of Miami International Airport. The eight-story building previously housed the headquarters of fast-food giant Burger King before they relocated across the street.

Lennar's History with the Building

In 2019, Lennar, known for its development of suburban single-family homes, signed a 16-year lease for 156,000 square feet in this office building. Now, they've decided to make the building their permanent home by purchasing it outright.

Previous Ownership and Renovations

The seller, Franklin Street Properties, bought the office building, which sits on a 10-acre lot, for $48 million in 2003, just a year after its completion. Over the years, the Massachusetts-based trust has made significant improvements to the property, including adding a floor to the parking structure and renovating the lobby and a 5,000-square-foot fitness center.

Transaction Details

CBRE's Christian Lee and Sean Kelly represented the seller in the transaction. Amy Julian, Andrew Chilgren, Marcos Minaya, Tom Rappa, James Carr, and Matthew Lee, also from CBRE, structured a debt for the purchase. However, a mortgage has yet to be recorded. Representatives for Lennar have not yet commented on the purchase.

Conclusion

This significant real estate acquisition by Lennar Corporation underlines the company's commitment to its operations in Miami. It also reflects the ongoing trend of businesses choosing to invest in property ownership rather than long-term leasing. This move could potentially inspire other companies to consider similar investments in the future.