In a series of transactions completed between May and June 2023, an entity linked to billionaire David Ellison acquired eight single-story homes within Palm Meadows Estates, a gated community in Boynton Beach, Florida. The purchases, coordinated by local real estate agent Kimmie Cruz, were intended to provide housing for household staff, reflecting a growing trend among wealthy individuals to secure nearby accommodations for their employees.
Palm Meadows Estates, which includes approximately 290 homes, features a gated entrance, 24-hour security, and waterfront views for every property, according to local agent Ashley McCoy of Serhant. The community has witnessed increased interest from affluent buyers, particularly from the Northeast, during the pandemic, driving up property values. The homes acquired by Ellison's LLC are moderately sized with well-maintained lawns, some with swimming pools, and each seller reportedly made substantial profits. One such seller, Paul Carozza, sold his three-bedroom, roughly 2,100-square-foot home for $1.2 million, more than double the $567,000 he paid in 2019.
The initial approach to Cruz came in early 2023 when she was asked to show multiple Palm Meadows Estates homes to a small group, including an engineer, with a preference for ranch-style residences. When that group later requested to view properties not publicly listed, Cruz engaged homeowners to gauge interest in private sales. She recalled encouraging sellers by highlighting the opportunity to deal directly with a financially capable buyer. Ellison later appeared in person for home tours, accompanied by bodyguards, before the contracts were signed.
Industry experts note that providing housing is a strategic benefit in recruiting and retaining domestic staff, especially in expensive housing markets. Peter Mahler of Mahler Private Staffing emphasized that offering staff lodging can reduce commute times and improve employee availability, while allowing families to maintain privacy by having staff live off-site.
The concentration of multiple home ownership within the community drew some concern from residents. Two community members objected to one individual or corporation holding several properties, prompting the homeowners association to implement new rules aimed at preventing similar acquisitions in the future. Neighbors reported that the Ellison staff homes are notably well-kept, with additional landscaping and maintenance services beyond those provided by the community. Several residents noted that some individuals living in the properties drive Tesla vehicles, consistent with Ellison’s previous role as a Tesla board member from 2018 to 2022. Permits filed with Palm Beach County indicate that Tesla Powerwalls were installed in each of the homes after purchase.
David Ellison, 82, has two adult children—Paramount CEO David Ellison and film producer Megan Ellison—from a prior marriage. Recently, he has been a significant financial backer of Paramount’s $81 billion bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. The Ellison family maintains privacy regarding their five children under 18, who have reportedly been home-schooled with support from various tutors, learning multiple languages in a multi-building residence in Manalapan, Florida.
The practice of purchasing multiple properties to house domestic staff is part of a broader trend among ultra-wealthy individuals, particularly in South Florida, where affluent newcomers have also influenced the local education landscape by founding or funding private and charter schools tailored to their needs. Notable figures such as Mark Zuckerberg, Elon Musk, Adam Neumann, and Jeff Greene have developed similar housing arrangements and educational initiatives as part of their efforts to build self-contained family ecosystems.