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the legacy Story
The evolution of Legacy Group began in 1976 when James Hall, a Midwesterner, first visited Florida intending to stay a week but ended up staying a month.
As a result, he purchased eleven apartment units across the road from the Atlantic Ocean in Highland Beach, just North of Boca Raton, which he made into condo villa units and quickly sold all but three, which were on the Intracoastal waterway. Keeping one of those units on the water for himself, he became a “snowbird”.
During his visit, James purchased eleven apartment units across from the Atlantic Ocean in Highland Beach, just north of Boca Raton. He converted these units into condo villas and sold all but three, keeping one on the Intracoastal Waterway for himself. Thus, he became a “snowbird” while beginning his investment journey in Florida real estate.
James combined the pleasures of Florida living with extensive due diligence on Florida’s history and real estate market. He concluded that Florida was a “frontier” with decades of lucrative investment opportunities, similar to California after World War II. This marked the start of his enduring love for Florida and real estate investments, ultimately leading to his permanent residency.
Over the following years, James successfully refurbished and rented apartments and condos in the Boca Raton and Delray Beach areas. However, he grew tired of being a landlord and decided to venture into land development and home building, focusing on starter homes for new families. In 1999, James purchased three parcels of land west of I-95 in Stuart, Florida, near the Cross Florida Barge Canal, which connects the state’s east and west coasts through Lake Okeechobee. The area offered excellent boating and fishing access, as well as proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, reinforcing James’ understanding of the value of waterfront property.
James’ partnership with Richard transformed both of their careers. Having successfully completed River Forest and River Marina, James was ready to pursue larger projects. He had already secured contracts for several major parcels of land in St. Lucie County, encompassing over 7,000 residential units and significant commercial space. In 2000, James and Richard became 50/50 partners, and Legacy Group was born.
Between 2000 and 2001, the partners identified St. Lucie County as the ideal location for major new developments. This decision was driven by several factors: Palm Beach County had halted significant residential approvals, affordable housing demand remained strong within commuting distance of Palm Beach County, and Martin County rarely approved new developments. Consequently, St. Lucie County offered the best opportunities for growth.
Legacy Group acquired three key properties during this period:
Willow Lakes: An 800-acre parcel at the northwest corner of I-95 and Midway Road, approved for over 3,000 residential units and substantial commercial space.
North Pointe: A 2,000-acre parcel known as LTC Ranch, approved for 4,000 residential units and 500,000 square feet of commercial space.
Savanna Lakes: A 125-acre parcel on Highway 1 near Midway Road in Ft. Pierce, with an expired PUD approval for 885 residential units and 10 acres of commercial property.
Over the next six years, Legacy obtained approvals and entitlements for these properties, allowing them to proceed with development. The projects yielded significant profits:
Savanna Lakes was purchased for $1.2M in 2001 and sold for $10M in 2003.
Willow Lakes was purchased for $10M in 2000; portions were sold between 2000 and 2004 for a total of $27M, with 200 acres retained.
North Pointe was purchased for $25M in 2001 and sold for $110M in 2006.
From 2003 to 2006, Legacy also acquired and enhanced the value of projects in Palm Coast, Wellington, Naples, and Hutchinson Island. Additionally, between 2000 and 2010, Legacy successfully ventured into fractional ownership developments at luxury golf clubs, completing three such projects.
From 2009 to 2011, leveraging Richard’s expertise in luxury golf club community development, Legacy planned and developed a high-end golf club community for a renowned PGA Tour professional near Jupiter. Richard’s prior experience with projects like The Bear’s Club and Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Jupiter proved instrumental in this endeavor.
In more recent years, Legacy navigated opportunities arising from economic fluctuations, acquiring and approving well-priced properties. Notable successes included reacquiring and reselling the Savanna Lakes parcel and a 150-acre property in Port St. Lucie, generating approximately $10M in profit.
In 2018, James and Richard welcomed Brent Howells as an equal partner. Brent, a significant figure in the real estate sector, entered the Florida market in 2006 after selling his family business for over $400M. Between 2006 and 2018, Brent built a private construction lending platform spanning 48 states, funding over $500M in projects.
Today, Legacy Group operates from offices in Jupiter, Orlando, and Houston, Texas. The partners directly manage their current projects while outsourcing professional assistance to trusted experts. Collaborating with over 100 professionals and 15-20 specialized companies, Legacy oversees approximately 20 active projects, transforming raw land into thriving communities
Legacy Group’s success reflects its innovative strategies, deep industry expertise, and commitment to shaping Florida’s real estate landscape.
our team
Mr. Hall has over 35 years of experience in the real estate business in Florida and elsewhere. After law school, he served honorably in the US Army from 1969-1971 during the Việt Nam War reaching the rank of Captain. Thereafter, he practiced law for 20 years investing in rental properties in South Florida beginning in 1976. That activity evolved into buying raw land and obtaining the entitlements for it to build new housing. In 2000, Mr. Hall created a new real estate company based in Jupiter, Florida, now known as Legacy Group, which has developed numerous projects for over 10,000 residential units and considerable commercial space, most of which were sold by 2006 for a substantial profit. Legacy Group has continued since then to successfully develop and manage additional promising real estate opportunities. Mr. Hall received a B.A. degree in Economics (1966) and a J.D. degree in Law (with highest distinction 1969), both from the University of Iowa.
Mr. Bellinger is an executive management professional with over 30 years of experience driving excellence in finance, management and real estate development. He is recognized as an innovative strategist who has a track record of capitalizing on opportunities that translate into both profitability and growth. While he has a diverse background, doing business in 52 countries around the world, his greatest success has been as a real estate developer in the U.S. Prior to entering the real estate development business, Mr. Bellinger was the president and CEO of Nicklaus Companies (formerly Golden Bear International) a conglomerate of golf-related businesses with a global reach. The company is owned by world-famous golfing great, Jack Nicklaus. Mr. Bellinger steered the business development and growth of the company, identifying and pursuing opportunities to expand the Jack Nicklaus brand. This included real estate development, golf course design & construction, television production, golf equipment manufacturing and brand franchising. Ultimately, Mr. Bellinger led a highly successful initial public offering of Nicklaus business entities that was listed on the NASDAQ exchange. Mr. Bellinger holds a BBA degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of Miami.
Brent Howells is a distinguished land development expert with a proven track record of transforming vast tracts of raw land into thriving residential and master-planned communities. Based in the Southeast, particularly Florida, Brent's expertise encompasses projects of all sizes, from small-scale developments to expansive communities of over 1,000 homes. His deep understanding of land development processes, combined with his strategic vision, has made him a master in his field. Brent's success in converting cow pastures into modern subdivisions highlights his ability to blend innovation with practical solutions, ensuring the creation of sustainable and desirable living spaces. With a focus on excellence and a commitment to delivering high-quality developments, Brent has become a sought-after leader in the industry. His approach to land development is characterized by meticulous planning, efficient execution, and a keen eye for detail. Through his work, Brent has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate the complexities of land development, making a lasting impact on the communities he helps to build.
Dave Clark is a seasoned leader with nearly 30 years of experience spanning the retail and real estate industries. Known for his strategic vision and exceptional leadership, Dave has managed large-scale operations for a Fortune 300 company, led cross-regional teams across California, Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico, and successfully directed global projects, including overseeing a call center in Mexico. His ability to drive results in diverse markets and cultures highlights his versatility and dynamic leadership style. In the real estate sector, Dave achieved financial independence through a strategic buy-and-hold investment approach, retiring at the remarkable age of 47. His expertise in acquiring, managing, and optimizing real estate assets has established him as a skilled investor and strategic thinker. After stepping away from corporate life, Dave relocated to Florida, where he has devoted himself to the land development business. Drawing on his extensive experience and deep industry knowledge, he has become a trusted authority in land acquisitions, spearheading development projects that generate long-term value in the real estate sector.
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