#USA #Irving #Legends Award #Kitson & Partners #Babcock Ranch

Syd Kitson Recognized for Outstanding Contributions

In a significant announcement from Zonda, Syd Kitson and his esteemed team at Kitson & Partners have been named the recipients of the 2025 Legends Award. This prestigious accolade will be presented at the Future Place conference, taking place at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Resort in Irving, Texas, from October 27 to 29.

The Legends Award serves as a tribute to executives and teams who are dedicated to revolutionizing master-planned communities, making them more sustainable and beneficial for current and future residents. Jeff Meyers, CEO of Zonda, highlighted that Kitson and his team are committed to creating "new kinds of hometowns" that offer safety and sustainability at their core.

But what exactly defines a master-planned community? These are carefully designed residential areas featuring multiple builders and various pricing options. They aim to provide residents with all necessary amenities—schools, shops, entertainment, and even workplaces—within a close-knit environment. This all contributes to a greater sense of community and convenience.

Syd Kitson established Kitson & Partners in 1999 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Under his leadership, the company has developed an impressive portfolio, including 21,500 residential units and 6.8 million square feet of commercial space. One of their hallmark achievements has been the development of Babcock Ranch, which in 2006 became recognized as America's first fully solar-powered town. The development has proven to be a resilient community, notably withstanding extreme weather events like the storm nicknamed "the storm of the century."

When launching Babcock Ranch, Kitson and his team identified seven key initiatives to prioritize: the environment, energy efficiency, education, transportation, technology, health, and storm safety. Each of these has guided their planning processes and reflects their commitment to fostering a sustainable lifestyle.

Kitson emphasized in a feature interview with BUILDER that their mission transcends conventional development goals; it is about altering the course of how communities are constructed and lived in. "We have a lot of true believers here that want to change the world. We want to do the right thing. We want to be leaders in innovation and how to do it right," he stated passionately.

His forward-thinking approach challenges the status quo and seeks to demonstrate that sustainable development can and should be both profitable and eco-friendly. "We're proving it every day at Babcock Ranch—and we're just getting started," he asserts.

Tom Hoban, President and Chief Investment Officer of Kitson & Partners, praised Kitson's drive, exclaiming, "I have never met someone who has more will to succeed. No obstacle or problem is too difficult to solve. Syd is such an inspirational leader. He motivates all of us to achieve beyond what we think is possible."

The upcoming Legends Award ceremony will not only honor Kitson and his team; it will also feature them on the cover of BUILDER Magazine's Q3 edition. The cover story "Working With Nature" will be authored by the award-winning writer Leah Draffen, further spotlighting their pioneering work. Previous Legends Award recipients include notable figures such as Adrian Foley of Brookfield Residential and Rex Jensen of Lakewood Ranch.

Conclusion

With a compelling vision for the future of residential communities, Syd Kitson and Kitson & Partners continue to set unparalleled standards in the housing industry. As the Legends Award approaches, it signifies not only recognition of past achievements but a promise of exciting innovations yet to come in the world of master-planned communities.