Akerman represented developer GT USA in a $165 million Lake County, Fla., land purchase today that could bring close to 3,000 homes to the Wellness Way corridor. Akerman Residential Development Practice Chair Jim McNeil and Real Estate Special Counsel Troy Finnegan led our team representing GT USA in its purchase of more than 2,300 acres of land.
Attorneys on the team also included:
- Robert Bowser (Partner, Real Estate)
- Megan Costa DeLeon (Partner, Litigation)
- Jim Goldsmith (Partner, Corporate)
- Carolyn Haslam (Partner, Real Estate)
- Gary Whitlock (Partner, Real Estate)
- Greg DeMeuse (Associate, Real Estate)
This land deal could be the highest valued land purchase in Lake County history and one of the largest deals in Florida this year. It is also the second major deal Akerman has assisted GT USA with this year. In July, the firm represented GT USA in the sale of 518 acres, also in the Wellness Way corridor, to Pulte Home Company for $90 million. The two deals combined could add nearly 4,500 homes and 1.4 million square feet of commercial uses to the area.
"It has been an absolute privilege to work with GT USA on both of these deals," Jim said. "This project will bring much-needed housing and employment to Central Florida, so we are honored to have played our part."
Akerman’s Real Estate Practice Group ranks among the top practices in the United States by The Legal 500 and Best Lawyers. The group advises investors, developers, builders, lenders, retailers, owners, and corporate end users, often in high-profile matters.
GT USA is recognized for its visionary leadership, capital strength, and expertise in complex real estate transactions. Together, the group has dozens of low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise projects underway throughout the United States, Canada, and Italy, and has developed and built more than 80,000 homes over the past 55 years. Led by Chief Operating Officer Doug Bruk, GT USA has purchased more than $275 million of land in Florida since 2021.
About Akerman
Founded in 1920, Akerman is recognized as one of the country’s premier law firms, with more than 700 lawyers in 25 offices throughout the United States.