Top 5 Luxury Custom Home Builders in South Florida
Quick Summary
- Five standout South Florida luxury builders
- How to match builder to county and lot
- Cost ranges and what drives premiums
- When a condo rivals a custom estate
The new definition of “custom” in South Florida
In South Florida, a truly custom home is seldom just a set of plans. It is a deliberate strategy for land, lifestyle, and long-term resilience, delivered with the discretion that high-net-worth buyers expect. That is also why the luxury conversation keeps widening. The same client who wants a gated acreage estate in Broward may also maintain a Miami Beach pied-à-terre for weekends, art fairs, and effortless lock-and-leave living.
For buyers pursuing new construction, the differentiator is not whether a builder can build. It is whether the team can translate a clear brief into a finished property that feels inevitable: proportion and circulation that make sense, materials that age well, and performance aligned to a specific site and a specific way of living.
Builder selection is where that outcome is won or lost. The firms below are known publicly for luxury positioning, custom work, and a footprint across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach. Use this list as a starting point for interviews and vetting, not a replacement for due diligence.
What to look for before you shortlist a builder
Luxury buyers often lead with design and then discover that execution is the true gatekeeper. Before proposals come in, align on the fundamentals that protect your time and capital.
First, confirm scope clarity. Some firms operate strictly as builders; others are design-build teams. If you want one accountable party from preconstruction through close-out, ask how design is integrated, how budgets are tracked as selections evolve, and what is performed in-house versus subcontracted.
Second, look for evidence of comparable complexity. Ultra-luxury work can involve demanding envelopes, waterfront constraints, and interiors where tolerances and detailing are non-negotiable. A portfolio is not a guarantee, but it is a meaningful signal that the team has delivered premium results, not just promised them.
Third, apply a neighborhood lens. A buyer prioritizing privacy and land may gravitate toward single-family homes on larger parcels, while a buyer prioritizing immediate lifestyle services may choose an amenity-rich condominium. In South Florida, these can be complementary. Many households intentionally combine an estate with a Miami address for convenience.
Top 5 luxury custom home builders in South Florida
1. Landmark Custom Homes – tri-county custom estate specialist Landmark Custom Homes positions itself as a South Florida custom home builder serving Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade counties. For buyers who want a team familiar with cross-county realities, that tri-county footprint can be a practical advantage when you are weighing sites, timelines, and local requirements.
Landmark also publishes Boca Raton guidance that places “well-appointed” custom home costs around $450 to $750 per square foot, with ultra-luxury and waterfront projects trending higher. For early feasibility, that framing is useful because it reflects what experienced buyers see in practice: the upper end is driven less by raw square footage and more by detailing, engineering, and site conditions.
2. TREO Construction – North Miami Beach luxury builder/developer TREO Construction is headquartered in North Miami Beach and markets itself as a luxury residential builder and developer serving Miami-area coastal neighborhoods. For clients who want a builder grounded in the coastal Miami environment, headquarters and stated focus can be relevant indicators of daily familiarity with the market.
The firm also publishes a portfolio of completed projects, allowing buyers to evaluate fit through the lens that matters most in high-end work: finished execution, not renderings.
3. Bart Reines – Miami-based ultra-luxury design-build Bart Reines is a Miami-based luxury design-build firm that showcases ultra-high-end residential projects. Notably, its public work includes an “Oceanfront Penthouse,” signaling that its capabilities extend beyond ground-up homes into rarefied condo and penthouse build-outs.
For the buyer who approaches a residence as a complete interior architecture project, that kind of experience can support sharper coordination across detailing, systems, and the lived-in feel of the final space.
4. Hart Homes (Hart Luxury Homes, Inc.) – Fort Lauderdale-area custom builder with third-party presence Hart Homes is positioned as a Fort Lauderdale-area custom luxury home builder and maintains an established third-party Houzz business profile. In a market where marketing can outpace reality, third-party platforms can add helpful context around services and visibility.
For Broward buyers weighing a custom home versus a major renovation, that presence can be a useful checkpoint as you compare project management style, communication cadence, and finish-level expectations.
5. Hollub Group – bespoke “Custom Homes” offering Hollub Group positions itself as an established South Florida builder and renovation firm and maintains a dedicated “Custom Homes” service offering. For buyers deciding between building new and transforming an existing property, that dual exposure may be relevant.
In practice, the key is to clarify how bespoke work is structured: who owns estimating, how value engineering is handled when needed, and how design intent is protected when the project is under schedule pressure.
Cost reality: what actually moves the number
Luxury construction pricing in Florida varies widely by finishes, complexity, and location. That answer can feel unsatisfying, but it is the only responsible starting point.
Even within South Florida, the phrase “custom home” covers very different products. A “well-appointed” baseline can anchor early planning, then you adjust for the factors most likely to move the number into a higher tier:
- Waterfront conditions and performance requirements that influence structure, glazing, and building envelope decisions.
- A greater share of bespoke millwork, stone, and specialty finishes, where labor, fabrication, and lead times can be as decisive as material cost.
- Architectural complexity, including spans, ceiling heights, and integrated indoor-outdoor transitions.
A disciplined approach is to align early on an initial performance brief and a finish narrative, then request allowances that reflect your actual taste level rather than a generic “luxury” assumption.
Where the build happens: Miami-Dade vs Broward vs Palm-beach
County selection is not merely about price per square foot. It is a lifestyle decision that shows up every day after the home is finished.
Miami-Dade often suits buyers who want proximity to coastal neighborhoods, dining, culture, and an international pace. It is also where many owners keep a condo residence for convenience and flexibility. Broward can appeal to those who want a blend of coastal access and broader residential options, including Fort Lauderdale’s luxury ecosystem. Palm Beach is frequently chosen for its established prestige, quieter rhythms, and long-term legacy ownership patterns.
If acreage is a priority, Southwest Ranches is a reference point many luxury buyers consider. Landmark Ranch Estates in Southwest Ranches is described as a gated community of 44 estate sites with 2 to 5 acre lots, and it appears as a distinct subdivision with active luxury inventory. For buyers seeking land, privacy, and the ability to place a true estate home at scale, that combination is part of the appeal.
When a condo rivals a custom estate (especially in Miami-beach)
Not every high-net-worth buyer needs a full-time estate to achieve a custom lifestyle. In Miami Beach, the most compelling alternative can be a branded or boutique residence that delivers hospitality-grade service and strong privacy.
A buyer who values managed arrival, security, and minimal maintenance may gravitate toward The Ritz-Carlton Residences® Miami Beach. Someone who wants a global, design-forward address may prefer Setai Residences Miami Beach. For a more boutique oceanfront feel, 57 Ocean Miami Beach is often discussed in the context of privacy and proximity to the shoreline.
This is not an either-or decision. Many South Florida buyers build a primary home and keep a Miami Beach residence to reduce friction during busy seasons, host discreetly, or live closer to the water when that rhythm is the priority.
Due diligence that protects the lifestyle you are buying
In ultra-luxury construction, the contract is not just paperwork. It is the operating system for your project.
Ask for clarity on who leads preconstruction, how long-lead items are planned, and how change orders are handled when taste evolves. Understand how selections, shop drawings, and approvals are documented, and how disputes are prevented through process rather than personality.
Pressure-test schedule realism. South Florida’s construction environment remains active, which can affect trade availability and sequencing. High-end projects tend to succeed when procurement is proactive and decision-making is structured, timely, and documented.
The best luxury outcome often feels quiet: a home that performs in heat and humidity, reads beautifully in natural light, and supports daily life without asking to be “managed.” Whether you choose a ground-up estate or a turnkey residence like Faena House Miami Beach, the objective is the same: certainty.
FAQs
Q: What makes a builder “luxury” in South Florida? A: Demonstrated high-end execution, disciplined project management, and experience with complex sites and premium detailing.
Q: Is design-build better than hiring an architect separately? A: It can be, particularly if you want one accountable team; separate roles can also work well when coordination is strong and responsibilities are clear.
Q: What is a realistic baseline for custom build costs? A: Landmark Custom Homes cites “well-appointed” customs around $450 to $750 per square foot, with higher costs for ultra-luxury or waterfront work.
Q: Why do waterfront homes often cost more? A: Site constraints and performance requirements can drive structural and building-envelope decisions, and the coordination burden is often higher.
Q: Which counties do these builders serve? A: Some position themselves as tri-county across Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade, while others emphasize Miami-area coastal neighborhoods.
Q: What is Southwest Ranches known for in the luxury market? A: Larger land opportunities and gated estate communities, including Landmark Ranch Estates with 44 sites on 2 to 5 acre lots.
Q: How should I evaluate a builder’s portfolio? A: Look for comparable scale and detail to your goals, then confirm what portion of the showcased work was truly custom and directly delivered by the team.
Q: Can a penthouse build-out be comparable to a custom home? A: Yes. High-end penthouse projects can require intensive detailing, systems coordination, and bespoke interiors similar to a ground-up home.
Q: When does a luxury condo make more sense than a custom home? A: When you prioritize service, security, and lock-and-leave convenience, especially in Miami Beach.
Q: What is the single biggest risk to manage in a custom build? A: Misalignment on scope and selections early, which can cascade into budget volatility and schedule pressure.
For a tailored introduction to South Florida’s most compelling luxury residences, connect with MILLION Luxury.
Million Luxury
Million Luxury
Welcome to MILLION, an exclusive luxury real estate boutique nestled in the heart of South Florida’s most desirable locations. Specializing in high-end properties, we provide a sanctuary for discerning clients including top Fortune 500 executives, affluent families, celebrities, and professional athletes from across the globe. At MILLION, we understand the unique demands of our elite clientele and offer a seamless blend of confidentiality and personalized attention. Our commitment to privacy is unwavering; we ensure that every transaction and interaction is handled with the utmost discretion and according to stringent confidentiality protocols. Our concierge service embodies the pinnacle of white-glove care, offering tailored assistance that transcends traditional real estate support.
