How one Florida community transformed hurricane resilience into record sales

"While the region's homebuilding market grappled with priced-out entry-level buyers and hesitant home seekers in other segments, Babcock Ranch recorded 1,066 net sales—an all-time high, and a 34% increase over 2024. John Burns Research and Consulting ranked Babcock Ranch the fourth-highest-selling master-planned community nationwide last year."

"Lucienne Pears, VP, Economic and Business Development at Kitson & Partners, the master developer of Babcock Ranch, credited the community's sustainable and resilient design for attracting buyers amid a depressed regional housing market. The community—currently home to 15,000 residents and on track to reach roughly 60,000 at full build-out—is the nation's first entirely solar-powered community."

"Babcock Ranch is entirely powered by an 870-acre, 150-megawatt solar field with about 685,000 solar panels. Many of the community's commercial buildings and public spaces also draw on sol[ar power]. Beyond its sustainable design, the emerging new town has numerous safeguards in place to protect residents from hurricanes and flooding."

Babcock Ranch, located near Fort Myers, emerged as a standout performer in Southwest Florida's challenging 2025 housing market. The master-planned community recorded 1,066 net sales, an all-time high representing a 34% increase from 2024, earning it the fourth-highest-selling ranking among master-planned communities nationwide. The community's success contrasts sharply with regional struggles involving priced-out entry-level buyers and hesitant purchasers. Babcock Ranch's sustainable design and resilience features attracted buyers despite depressed regional conditions. The nation's first entirely solar-powered community operates on an 870-acre solar field with 150 megawatts of capacity and approximately 685,000 solar panels. Currently housing 15,000 residents with plans to reach 60,000 at full build-out, the community incorporates hurricane and flooding protections. Kitson & Partners developed the community on 18,000 acres after selling 73,000 acres to Florida for preservation in the largest state land transaction.

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