Growth point

Florida could be home to 15 million more residents by 2070 if conservative projections hold, a nearly doubling of the population that would have profound impacts on Gulf Coast commercial real estate markets.

And while 1,000 Friends of Florida's “Florida 2070” report and the finding that nearly 34 million people might live in the state five decades from now presents challenges for the Sunshine State's environment and natural resources, it would represent a boon to commercial real estate interests.

Central Florida, in particular, an area that includes the Gulf Coast, would become significantly denser in the next 54 years, the result of existing infrastructure, urban areas and availability of land for development.