Ashton Woods Continues Its Florida Expansion into Jacksonville

Ashton Woods, the nation’s largest private homebuilder, announced today it will be expanding its Florida footprint by entering the greater Jacksonville area, naming Jacob O’Keefe as VP of Land Acquisition. The homebuilder currently has active communities in Orlando and Tampa, with the first Jacksonville home expected to be sold in 2024.

Jacksonville’s strong growth and reputation for design-savvy buyers makes the market a natural fit for the expansion of the Ashton Woods brand,” said Ryan Lewis, COO of Ashton Woods. “Recently named one of Zillow’s 10 hottest housing markets of 2023, the city is a natural choice to build on the success we’ve enjoyed throughout Florida. Jacob brings with him a deep understanding of the Jacksonville market and we’re excited to welcome him to the team.”

Ashton Woods’ long-standing history and commitment to building homes in Florida began with entry into the Orlando market in 2001. With 20-plus years of experience in the state, Ashton Woods and its subsidiary, Starlight Homes, currently offer over 50 different home plans across sixteen communities in Orlando and Tampa. Ashton Woods is currently a Top 10 builder in both markets.

“I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to launch Ashton Woods and Starlight Homes into the Jacksonville market,” said O’Keefe. “Florida has always been home for my family, and our city is one of the best places to live in the United States. Jacksonville’s obvious appeal combined with Ashton Woods’ track record of success with both the seasoned, design-focused buyer and the value-driven first-time buyer make this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I can’t wait to get started.”

O’Keefe is a native of Southeast Florida, spending time in Orlando and Miami before settling down in Jacksonville. He earned a master’s in business administration from the University of Massachusetts.