This list is but a partial sample of more than 25 real estate development projects that are noteworthy, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to creating innovative, saleable and highly-desirable residential products.
Progresso Lofts and Townhomes — Fort Lauderdale, Broward County — 2004 to 2005
Planned to be 'the first' condominium built North of Flagler Village in more than 30 years. Through innovative layouts and delivery specs, uncommon architecture and unique client options, these two projects were poised to set another Groupe Lépine International-inspired trend when sold in 2005.
Old Progresso Village — Fort Lauderdale, Broward County — 2002 to 2004
A development of over 30 single-family, one- and two-story attached homes on non-contiguous lots — this was 'the first' city in-fill project in South Florida utilizing modular construction methods. The strategy of applying a modular design concept allowed Groupe Lépine International to rapidly trigger significant urban regeneration, turning around a formerly no-go crime ridden neighborhood. This achievement earned the company tremendous recognition and numerous awards.
Robson Court — Kanata, Ontario — 1998 to 2001
A phased project offering 60 luxury condominiums in 7 three-story buildings overlooking the Kanata Lakes golf community. Throughout the 1990's, Kanata, located just outside of Ottawa, Canada, became the Canadian Silicone Valley, fostering several of the world's high-tech giants such as Nortel Networks and Corel Software. Developed in partnership with Rene's brother, Francis, Robson Court became 'the first' successful garden-style condominium project in Kanata.
Venezia Las Olas — Fort Lauderdale, Broward County — 1998 to 2000
A 50-unit condominium just one block east of Federal Highway and two blocks north of Las Olas Boulevard — this project was 'the first' luxury residential high-rise to be marketed and built in the downtown Fort Lauderdale area, marking a new trend for 'in-city' living in Broward County.
Mediterranea on Hillsboro Mile — Hillsboro Mile, Broward County — 1997 to 1999
A 30-unit condominium complex in Hillsboro adjoining a 9-slip marina — at the time of its construction this project was 'the first' luxury low-rise condominium development in Hillsboro Beach, Florida, in 25 years.
In the years prior to founding Groupe Lépine International, René H. Lépine had been active in South Florida since 1978 when Groupe Lépine tasked him to lead a number of real estate development and re-development projects. Subject to the opportunities at hand, these projects have covered a multitude of areas of development, from new build to renovation and conversion, purely commercial to mixed use, and single-family dwellings to apartment/condominium or timeshare developments.
Over the course of more than three decades, Mr. Lépine has been involved in 14 different South Florida projects in 8 communities throughout Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Lantana Plaza — Lantana, Palm Beach County — 1991 to 1993
A 285,000 square foot power shopping center on the corner of Lantana Road & Jog Road — acquired in 1991 after being pre-leased to three major anchor tenants: 110,000 sf to Super K-Mart, 105,000 sf to Builder’s Square and 32,000 sf to Food Lion. This project was completed within 30 months and, in the midst of the RTC 1990's real estate crisis, successfully sold to a REIT prior to completion.
Luxury Home on the Ocean — Highland Beach, Palm Beach County — 1990 to 1992
A 4,300 square foot luxury beachfront development and construction on South Ocean Blvd. in Highland Beach.
La Paz at Boca Pointe — Boca Raton, Palm Beach County — 1983 to 1985
A 3-story 108 condominium project in a gated golf community — while being sold through a very competitive central sales center in a saturated market, the redesign to reposition the project and its construction took only 30 months from beginning to end and sold out in 18 months.
Driftwood Beach Club Hotel — Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Broward County — 1981 to 1982
A 2-story 32-unit time-sharing conversion — the property was acquired in the midst of a complex dispute between the landowner, the building leaseholder and the chattel mortgagor, and successfully settled and resold within 6 months.
The Patrician — Boca Raton, Palm Beach County — 1980 to 1982
A 127 one-, two- and three-bedroom condo-conversion of a 7-story 1960's building on A1A across from the beach — the aging property was fully renovated and upgraded in only 24 months from beginning to end, while it was successfully sold out in only 18 months.
The Berkshire On-the-Ocean — Boca Raton, Palm Beach County — 1980 to 1981
A 23-unit time-sharing condominium conversion — 'the first' of its kind in Palm Beach County. Renovation and upgrade of ocean-weathered building was completed in less than 18 months from beginning to end and successfully sold out in only 7 months.
Powerline Warehouse — Fort Lauderdale, Broward County — 1979 to 1980
A 325,000 square foot warehouse — acquired from liquidators and subdivided into functionally smaller spaces, then marketed as warehouse condominiums — a relatively new concept. The project took less than 18 months from beginning to end and sales were successfully completed in 15 months.
Fairways Condominiums — Coral Springs, Broward County — 1979 to 1980
A 36 garden townhouse new construction overlooking a golf course — taken over from a bank, the completion of the unfinished project and abandoned property took less than 18 months from beginning to end, and successfully sold out in a highly competitive market in only 9 months.
Boca House — Boca Raton, Palm Beach County — 1979 to 1980
A 74-unit condo-conversion of two 4- and 5-story buildings on a deep water canal in Boca Raton — substantial renovation and property improvement over 18 months from beginning to end, and successfully sold out in only 10 months.
Drake Towers — Fort Lauderdale, Broward County — 1978 to 1979
A 13-story 143 condominium tower — cosmetic renovation, upgrading and conversion to condominiums that took less than 12 months from beginning to end, with its sales successfully completed in only 17 weeks.