The New York hedge fund manager behind a radical development bill in Florida

Seeking Rents – The Podcast

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The New York hedge fund manager behind a radical development bill in Florida

Companies linked to a Manhattan investment manager have amassed more than 80,000 acres of land across north Florida. Now the firm wants state lawmakers to make its land more appealing to developers.

Jason Garcia

Jan 10, 2026

In this episode: Since 2017, companies linked to a multibillion-dollar investment manager in New York have spent at least $230 million buying up more than 80,000 acres across north Florida — amassing giant tracts of largely rural land near Jacksonville, St. Augustine, and Panama City. The same investment firm now wants Florida lawmakers to make it much easier to develop that land.

Editor’s note: A written version of this story first appeared in the Seeking Rents newsletter:

A New York investment firm with vast land holdings across north Florida wants state lawmakers to greenlight giant developments

Show notes

House Bill 299 — Blue Ribbon Projects (first vote)

Senate Bill 354 — Blue Ribbon Projects

Senate Community Affairs Committee

Committee meeting notice

To contact for Florida legislators:

Find Your Elected Officials in Florida

Florida House of Representatives full list of members

Florida Senate full list of senators

Questions or comments? Send ‘em to Garcia.JasonR@gmail.com