New Residential Opportunities in the Heights: Royal Pointe Apartments and Villages of Richmond Heights
Richmond Heights carries its own rhythm, born from deep roots and quiet pride that shows in every corner. You can see it in the way neighbors wave or stop to talk in passing. After World War II, Black veterans came home determined to own something lasting. They built it here, and that strength has carried through the generations.
That story is still unfolding with two new developments: Royal Pointe Apartments and The Villages of Richmond Heights. Both are helping families put down roots and stay connected to the neighborhood they love.
In early September, people began gathering while the air was still soft and bright. Soon after, the groundbreaking for The Villages began. Folding chairs lined the lawn, and children ran around the crowd. J.L. Brown Development hosted the event, with Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Vice Chairman Kionne L. McGhee among the speakers. Each reminded residents that progress means keeping history close.
“This work is about creating opportunities, stability, and legacy,” said James L. Brown, founder of J.L. Brown Development. “We’re not just putting up buildings. We’re investing in the families who built this community.”
For nearly thirty years, Brown has helped shape South Dade’s neighborhoods one block at a time. Plans call for roughly 125 new homes spread across Richmond Heights, Cutler Bay, and central Miami-Dade. Some lots are set for single-family homes, others for townhouses, and a few for condos meant for easier living. Several will be reserved for veterans, connecting the project to the community’s early days.
For Brown, “luxury at affordable prices” means pride, safety, and design that holds up. It’s about walking into a home that feels earned. The county’s First-Time Homebuyer Program offers up to $160,000 in help for qualified buyers working toward a down payment. For many families, that kind of support makes ownership possible.
The Miami-Dade Economic Advocacy Trust (MDEAT) and the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) are backing the effort. Both groups have spent years guiding residents and small builders toward real, lasting wealth. Their role here is to help make sure these homes remain within reach for the long haul.
A few streets over, Royal Pointe Apartments is serving families who want to stay close to home. Royal Pointe stands clean and modern, its lines simple and its spaces open. It’s built for working people who need stability while planning their next step. The design is functional and made for real life. For some, it marks a new beginning. For others, it’s a pause before the next chapter.
At the event, longtime residents stood together, watching as the speeches wrapped up. “We just want our kids and grandkids to be able to stay close to home,” one woman said. “That’s what this is really about.”
Housing costs across Miami-Dade keep climbing, pushing too many families away from neighborhoods they helped build. The Villages and Royal Pointe offer another path. They show that new growth can exist alongside old stories.
Faith, family, and perseverance built Richmond Heights from the ground up. Those same values still hold the community together. The Villages and Royal Pointe pick up a story that started long before today. Here, progress still means keeping promises.
