Vestcor Breaks Ground on 576‑Unit Ambar Station, a Miami‑Dade Workforce Development

Key Points

• 576 affordable/workforce units breaking ground across two 8‑story and two 3‑story buildings.

• $128.5 million in multifamily bond financing approved by Miami‑Dade Housing Finance Authority.

• Includes 8,300 sq ft commercial space, 852 parking spots, and 158 EV charging stations—plus two pools and transit access.

Vestcor, the Jacksonville‑based developer behind projects like Ambar Trails, officially broke ground on Ambar Station, a major affordable and workforce housing development in southern Miami‑Dade’s Leisure City / Naranja area. This milestone signals not just construction —it’s a strategic move to bolster workforce‑oriented housing near transit and employment hubs.

Financing & Support Capital

• Miami‑Dade’s Housing Finance Authority approved up to $128.5 million in multifamily mortgage revenue bonds to back the project. 
• Vestcor also secured a construction loan of $117.5 million from Bank of New York Mellon Trust Co., an $11 million housing bond via Wells Fargo, and another $11 million from Florida Housing Finance Corp. 

Project Scope & Design

• Spans 7.8 acres at 27742 & 27860 S. Dixie Highway in Homestead / Leisure City. 
• Comprises 576 rental units: a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, allocated across two 8‑story and two 3‑story buildings. 
• Includes 8,300+ sq ft of ground-floor commercial space, plus 852 parking spaces—158 equipped for EV charging. 

Amenities & Transit Integration

• Designed by Anillo Toledo Lopez Architecture, the development frames a lifestyle‑oriented environment featuring two resort-style swimming pools, with indoor/outdoor amenity areas. 
• Positioned adjacent to the South Dade TransitWay, the project underscores a clear push toward transit‑oriented development. 

Land Deal & Developer Context

• Vestcor acquired the 7.7‑acre site for $12.5 million (about $1.6 million per acre), signaling stewardship over a key infill parcel near public transit. 
• This continues Vestcor’s “Ambar” portfolio in Miami‑Dade—joining Ambar Trails, Ambar Key, and The Ambar—demonstrating sustained commitment to affordable housing in the region. 

Ambar Station marks a significant step forward in Miami‑Dade’s affordable and workforce housing landscape. With solid financial backing, thoughtful design, and transit-aligned placement, it promises to deliver both social value and long-term resilience for investors and the broader community. This development not only responds to growing demand—it sets a benchmark for strategic, mixed-use housing plays in rapidly evolving markets. Stay tuned—Ambar Station’s progress could signal further investor opportunity in the region’s workforce housing space.