Steve Ross

The billionaire who shaped New York’s skyline over five decades is remaking Palm Beach County as his next pursuit.

Related Ross, an offshoot of Related Companies, dominates in downtown West Palm: It has eight office buildings and about 1,500 apartment, condo and hotel units, including purchased, developed, under construction and planned. 

The octogenarian’s latest work is a return to his roots. Ross, who grew up in Miami Beach and owns a Palm Beach estate, developed his first downtown West Palm project, the mixed-use CityPlace, in 2000. He also owns the Miami Dolphins and its home base Hard Rock Stadium and has a stake in Formula One Miami. 

His investment in the city was well-timed, capitalizing on its boom as a magnet for finance firms. Ross tapped his New York network to quickly lease his buildings. In Palm Beach County, he has had a receptive community, with his work aligning with county leaders’ yearslong push to rebrand the area as “Wall Street South.” That’s where Ross is more of a world-builder, helping bring schools, advocating for affordable housing and serving as a major benefactor. 

A tax attorney by training, Ross’ early career stint at Bear Stearns ended with a blunt “fuck you” to his boss. Related Companies, which started out as an affordable housing developer, built New York’s Hudson Yards and Deutsche Bank Center, as well as The Grand in Los Angeles.

— Lidia Dinkova