Congrats to Cocoplum Neighbor Matthew Martinez on Launching Miami-Dade’s First Fully Approved Live Local Housing Development. A trailblazer for Miami-Dade’s ‘missing middle, Martinez champions attainable, workforce-focused housing in a region desperate for solutions.
A major milestone in addressing Miami-Dade County’s housing crisis was reached earlier this summer with the groundbreaking of Beacon Hill at Princeton—a $28 million, 112- unit workforce housing development led by Cocoplum resident Matthew Martinez, President of Beacon Hill Property Group. The project is the first in the county to move from site plan approval to construction under Florida’s groundbreaking Live Local Act (SB 102), serving as a model for how thoughtful development can meet real community needs.
Setting a New Standard for Workforce Housing
Beacon Hill at Princeton is notable not just for its size or speed to market— but for what it represents: a blueprint for creating housing for the “Missing Middle”—families earning too much to qualify for subsidized housing but not enough to afford soaring market-rate rents. “What we’ve tried to do at Beacon Hill is create and develop workforce housing for the missing middle that
adheres to the spirit of the legislation,” said Martinez. “We want to provide good, safe, financially attainable housing for people who make our communities work and function.”
Apartments at the Princeton development will range from $1,700 to $1,900 for a one-bedroom and $2,100 to $2,300 for a two-bedroom. To qualify, renters must earn no more than 120% of the county’s median household income—about $95,000 annually.
A True First for the Live Local Act
While many developers have proposed projects under the Live Local Act, Beacon Hill at Princeton is the first in Miami-Dade County to officially break ground. Martinez and Beacon Hill’s Managing Director, David Rothenstein, credit not the zoning breaks, but the financial incentives as the real catalyst— such as property tax relief, impact fee reductions, and state rebates on materials. “We’re making a little dent in this huge need,” said Rothenstein. “We’re using it for exactly what it was meant for—to add workforce housing, not market-rate housing.”
Revitalizing a Neighborhood in Need Princeton, located in South Dade, has long been considered a “Dead Zone” by some residents—an area hit hard by Hurricane Andrew and the decline of surrounding agriculture. But the tide is turning, thanks in part to transit-oriented development along the new South Dade TransitWay, a 20-mile rapid bus corridor. “We think this is a phenomenal area for people to live,” Martinez said. “It’s affordable, it’s accessible, and it’s on the cusp of transformation.”
The county has also enacted special zoning along the TransitWay that encourages higher-density development drawing a wave of new housing projects to the area.
A Broader Vision for Florida
Beacon Hill Property Group— originally founded in Boston and now headquartered in Coral Gables—has deep experience in affordable and Section 8 housing. With this latest shift, the firm aims to deliver 1,500 workforce housing units across Florida over the next five years. “Everyone deserves a place they’re proud to call home, and we’re committed to making that reality,” said Martinez.
As Miami-Dade faces an ongoing affordability crisis, Beacon Hill at Princeton offers more than housing—it offers hope. Through smart policy and strong leadership, Cocoplum’s own Matthew Martinez is showing how local developers can have a statewide impact.
At Stroll Cocoplum, we’re committed to amplifying the voices that shape our community. That’s why we felt it important to share the full text of Matthew Martinez’s powerful speech from the groundbreaking ceremony on June 6th. His words were not only poignant and profound but also deeply
inspiring-capturing the spirit of progress and hope of Beacon Hill’s vision. To complement our feature article, we invite you to read Matt’s speech in its entirety and experience firsthand the vision behind Miami-Dade’s first fully approved Live Local housing development.
Good morning, everyone. My name is Matt Martinez, and I’m the principal of Beacon Hill Development Group. Thank you for being here today to celebrate a transformative moment—not just for Beacon Hill, not just for Princeton—but for the future of housing in Miami-Dade County and across the state of Florida. I would like to first acknowledge and thank our elected officials, community leaders, and industry partners. Your support, leadership, and shared belief in this mission have brought us to this point. I also want to take a moment tothank my business partners, David Rothenstein and Rob Khorram, for your steadfast resolve to accomplish difficult things; to my family (Lisa, Nico, and Alec) for your unwavering support and encouragement; and to the incredible team of professionals who helped bring this project to life.
The architects, engineers, planners, attorneys, consultants, and construction partners—your expertise, persistence, and commitment to excellence are the foundation we’re building on today.
You turned vision into reality, and I’m proud to stand with you on this milestone.
This moment belongs to all of us.
Today, we break ground not just on a building—but on a bold vision.
The Live Local Act stands as a landmark piece of legislation in Florida’s efforts to expand access to affordable housing
We are extremely proud that Beacon Hill at Princeton is the very first ground-up development in Miami-Dade County to be fully dedicated to workforce housing under Florida’s Live Local Act.
This, however, isn’t just another development—it’s a commitment.
A commitment to the working families who make our communities run…
A commitment to all people who deserve a place they’re proud to call home.
A commitment to policies like the Live Local Act—legislation that can make a real difference in the lives of workingclass families throughout our state.
These are the teachers, nurses, police officers, and first responders—the backbone of our community.
They earn too much to qualify for subsidies, yet not enough to afford the market rents that keep rising faster than wages.
Beacon Hill at Princeton was built with them in mind—because when we support our workforce, we support our future.
Admittedly, we didn’t get here overnight. This project represents years of visioning, collaboration, and dedication from everyone involved.
From planning and zoning to policy reform, financing, and design—every step has been taken with intention and care. And this is just the beginning.
Beacon Hill is committed to delivering 1,500 workforce housing units across Florida over the next five years. Beacon Hill at Princeton is our first fully realized step toward that goal—and we couldn’t have asked for a more fitting place to start.
As we turn this soil today, we’re not just building structures—we’re building security.
We’re building belonging.
We’re building legacy.
112 homes
112 families
112 chances to create stability, dignity,and hope.
Thank you!