Lennar history

In 1956, shortly after the creation of F & R, an individual who would figure prominently Lennar's development moved to Florida, intent on utilizing his land development and marketing skills.

1959: F & R Builders becomes the first homebuilder in South Florida to give paid vacations to hourly Associates, including field laborers and maintenance workers

For the express intention of achieving this objective, Lennar Corporation was formed in 1969, with F & R Builders constituting its primary asset.

Lennar completed its underwriting and became a public company two years later, in 1971, when stock in the company was sold over the counter.

1972: Lennar enters Arizona homebuilding market in Phoenix, with acquisition of Womack Development Corp. and MasterKraft Homes

1973: Lennar establishes an Asset Management division

1976: Lennar opens its first Active Adult Community: Kings Point in Delray Beach, Florida

1977: Lennar co-founder Arnold Rosen retires, continues to serve as a director

The following year, in 1978, revenues soared 60 percent, reaching $133 million, and earnings doubled to over $7 million.

1979: Lennar celebrates its 25th anniversary with 36,000 homeowners

In 1981, Lennar diversified further, entering the home mortgage business and originating what would later become Lennar Financial Services, Inc.

Also in 1982, the company purchased H. Miller & Sons, Inc., for $24 million.

1984: Lennar expands in Palm Beach County, Florida, with acquisition of H. Miller & Sons

1986: Lennar acquires its largest competitor, DCA Homes, and becomes Florida’s largest homebuilder

In 1987, Lennar reorganized its financial services operations into Lennar Financial Services, Inc., the product of its entry into the home mortgage business six years earlier.

1989: Lennar acquires Richmond American Homes in Orlando and Tampa, Florida.

Lennar entered the Texas market in 1991, after four years of experimentation, and began construction in suburban Dallas.

1992: In a joint venture with Morgan Stanley, Lennar acquires 1 billion dollar Amerifirst real estate portfolio

These two acquisitions, concluded in the two years prior to 1993, gave Lennar an interest in real estate management assets valued at more than $4 billion, complementing an already solid combination of business interests that provided an enviable foundation for the company's future.

1994: Lennar begins tradition of Associates reciting “The Little Red Hen” poem from memory

1995: Lennar acquires Village Builders and Friendswood Development Company in Houston from Exxon

1997: Lennar completes spin-off to its shareholders of commercial and real estate investment and management business, which is named LNR Property Corporation

1998: Lennar acquires Winncrest Homes, ColRich Communities and Polygon

Leonard Miller died in 2002.

In December 2007, during the subprime mortgage crisis, the company sold an 80% interest in 11,000 properties for 40% of their previously stated book value to Morgan Stanley.

After a trial, a Superior Court judge decided in July 2010 that Marsch actually owed Lennar $17 million for the development.

Founded in 2011, LMC offers rental apartment communities nationwide for those who are not yet ready to buy a home.

A subsequent civil suit filed by Lennar against Marsch resulted in a $1 billion judgement in December 2013 for Lennar, $802 million in damages and $200 million in punitive damages.