Florida homebuilder RCL navigates environmental challenges to deliver bespoke homes shaped by client lifestyles
Approaching each project with discipline, clarity and profound respect for the client experience, RCL Development (RCL) is a renowned high-end homebuilder across Florida’s Treasure Coast and Emerald Coast. Founded by Robert Lyles in 1995, the firm specializes in custom home construction, and, in 2023, fresh leadership carried the legacy builder forward when Alex Wells purchased RCL with his business partner John Olinger.
With architectural styles ranging from traditional Anglo-Caribbean to contemporary linear projects, each of its Vero Beach homes have one thing in common: complete luxury. In-house offices, home wellness spaces and live-in art galleries have all been prevalent in RCL’s designs, an occurrence Alex says was driven by the Covid-19 pandemic. “I’m still seeing numerous home offices, but there has been a migration away from wide-open concept living, particularly here in the South,” Alex elaborates. “Clients want formal dining rooms and re-segmentation of space. We’re building more scullery kitchens with butler’s pantries – the kitchen itself is still a social gathering space, but all the cooking is done behind the scenes.”
RCL’s client relationship philosophy is about understanding exactly how the homeowner wants to use the house. For many buyers, the build is their second or third home. “Many of our clients have made themselves a lifestyle that allows mobility if they are still working, whereas some have retired and are just living the good life! No matter the client, we always follow the same discovery process and ask a lot of questions – my personal favorite is ‘How do you imagine living in the house?’ If it’s designed for multi-generational living, they might be looking at guest wings to create space for everybody. We’ve even built houses that are essentially lived-in art galleries, where the buyer’s goal is to display their collection of artwork and host parties in the space. When we are engaged in the design process earlier, we can help to make sure their vision comes together.”
Client care
After buying RCL three years ago, Alex emphasizes the size of the business is key to maintaining exceptional client experience. “We’re still a small business,” he highlights. “My wife, Whitney, started working with us a few months ago and, if you call the office, either Whitney or I will answer the phone. It’s so much more than just construction – it’s about the client feeling cared for and getting that white glove customer service we strive to provide.” A solutions-oriented approach steers the group through unforeseen circumstances. “Not even the best architect can detail every condition on a construction site,” Alex continues. “Inevitably, there can be challenges but we’re problem solvers and we recognize how important these working relationships are – that’s the culture we have. The future of the company is built on our reputation with clients and architects.”
Employee relationships are also equally important. “Steve Thomas is the Director of Operations and Senior Project Manager in North Florida. Art Barton is my right-hand man and local Director of Operations. These individuals are highly experienced, and we’ve been focused on building a team of people who align with our vision. We all work together – I still go out weekly and view every job site in Vero Beach and John visits the projects up north. We’re incredibly involved; we care, and that’s our culture.”
The 30A Corridor in the Florida Panhandle, a coastal highway known for picturesque beaches and dune lakes, is a particular geographic focus for RCL. “We build large houses all along 30A, primarily vacation homes,” reveals Alex. “Usually either single-family homes for use over the summer, or short-term rentals. Many of the homes we build on 30A are in the Camp Creek residential community, which offers multiple activities such as golf, pickleball, tennis and a swimming pool.”
Further projects include the final phase of a 35 single-family lot development for Windsor, Vero Beach. “The North Village is incredibly exclusive and eco-focused with brand new amenities, including beautiful parks, walkways, and a modern gym,” Alex continues. “We’re building a spec home there, and it’s likely we’ll build several more custom homes. I’m very excited about that project.”
Due to its location, Florida construction requires flood zone navigation and adherence to strict oceanfront building rules, which often presents environmental hurdles including native wildlife protection. “I was building an oceanfront home in Vero Beach recently and there were gopher tortoises living in the sand dunes on the job site,” Alex recalls. “Gopher tortoises are a protected species. That requires some planning, and it’s all about communication with the homeowner. We went back to the client and explained that we needed to engage a state-licensed gopher tortoise removal person, to safely trap and relocate them. However, we don’t control the timeline in which that happens.” Negotiating flood zones is predominantly about understanding local building jurisdiction rules. “It often means building homes on stilts above the floodplains and it all comes down to planning and knowledge of where you’re working.”
Alex’s planning expertise began with his construction career at a countrywide commercial contractor, working on huge multi-million-dollar projects before pivoting towards residential production. “You must stay organized, manage your information and project your workflows. These are the same principles I learned at graduate school and Clark Construction.”
Prioritizing the development of its spec houses – Camp Creek 184 in North Florida and Windsor in Vero Beach – building is firmly underway for the remainder of 2026. “Whitney has a strong background in corporate communications and public relations, so she’s building out our client experience program, marketing and PR outreach,” says Alex.
The company is looking to branch out of Vero Beach into nearby South Florida regions such as Wellington and Martin County. Focusing on the future, Alex is aiming to grow sister company RCL Legacy, providing estate management services to Vero Beach homeowners. “We take care of landscaping, pool maintenance, housekeeping, HVAC systems, even checking light bulbs and ensuring TV remotes have working batteries to provide an easy transition for people moving back into their homes. RCL Legacy is brand new this year, but in three to five years’ time I’m targeting 60 accounts or more.
“At RCL, we have an incredible team and we build excellent houses,” Alex concludes. “I’m very proud of what we do. It’s my first business and it hasn’t been easy, but the ship has remained upright, our processes have been ironed out and we’re moving in the right direction. I’m confident that great things are on the horizon for us.”