Flo Rida continues to buy up his hometown he sang about with $10M mall - and his tenant reveals how he's changing it
Flo Rida is using his success to do more than just make music — he's investing in the neighborhood that raised him.
The rapper, born Tramar Dillard, rose to fame with his 2007 hit Low and has sold more than 100 million records. A Miami Gardens native, he won an $82.6 million lawsuit against Celsius and is now channeling that success back into his community.
Alongside his longtime manager Lee 'Freezy' Prince, Dillard is revitalizing Cloverleaf Plaza — a once-neglected shopping center built in 1955. According to the
Miami Herald, it is now the city's first black-owned and black-managed plaza, a historic milestone in a community where more than 60 percent of residents identify as black.
The duo purchased the plaza in 2023 for $10 million through their company, Strong Arm Management. It’s located on busy Highway 441 near other major shopping centers like Miami Gardens Square and Lincoln Square.
'We just thought that this would be a great staple,' Dillard told the Herald. 'After purchasing the club, Studio 183, we looked at making an investment — buying the entire plaza.'
'You might own a house and things like that, but growing up just looking at high-rises and things like that, the first thing is not to think that you can own it,' he continued. 'Maybe you have a spot there, but you won't really own it. So to actually own our own plaza is just phenomenal.'
Speaking to DailyMail.com, Nicole Ward, owner of Prestige Beauty Salon, said the difference under the new leadership has been profound.
She's been a tenant at Cloverleaf Plaza since January 2011 — and said what she's seeing now is a complete turnaround.
Flo Rida has purchased and is renovating Cloverleaf Plaza in Miami Gardens, making it the first black-owned and black-managed shopping center in the city
The rapper, born Tramar Dillard, called the investment a 'great staple' and said owning property like this was once unimaginable to him growing up
'I was happy and proud,' Ward said of learning Flo Rida had purchased the plaza. 'Happy that we were getting a black owner. Proud that a black man accomplished something so big — an entire plaza.'
Ward said there were years of neglect under a previous landlord.
'For the past 11 or 12 years, the place was in complete confusion,' she claimed. 'I did what I could, but the previous owner never did any restoration work.'
Now, she says, everything has changed.
'This place is amazing,' she said. 'They redid the inside, the lights — everything. Every day is perfect. They're now working on the outside of the plaza, and I can't wait to see the finished product.'
Though she hasn't met Flo Rida in person, Ward says Prince has been extremely hands-on.
'Mr. Lee is always around — he just passed by a few minutes ago,' she said. 'If something goes wrong, he's easy to talk to. You tell him what's bothering you, and he fixes it. So far, so good — no complaints.'
The changes have made a real difference in both morale and day-to-day operations.
Nicole Ward, owner of Prestige Beauty Salon and a tenant since 2011, said the transformation under Flo Rida and his manager Lee 'Freezy' Prince has been dramatic
Ward praised Prince’s hands-on management, updated infrastructure and a newfound sense of stability for businesses
'My customers love coming into a beautiful, clean place where everything works,' she said.
'We used to have problems with the air conditioning and water heater, and the old landlord would just say it was our responsibility to fix it — even though it was his stuff.'
'Now, it's different,' she added. 'I have new appliances, and I'm happy to maintain them myself. But overall, everything is just better.'
Ward says she's proud to be part of a black-led revitalization.
'I'm excited, I'm comfortable — and I'm not going anywhere for now,' she said. 'I'm proud of these black men. I'm here with people who respect us and don't take advantage — and that means a lot.'
She hopes the plaza fills up with long-term, reliable businesses.
'I want all the units rented out to good, permanent businesses,' she said. 'In the past, tenants didn't stay — there were problems with rent, leaks, you name it. People were always coming and going.'
'People don't like being moved around. I want stability — for myself and for others. I want us all to work with the owners, be reasonable, and live and work here peacefully.'
Grace Vernon, 74, who has operated Flowers by Grace in the plaza for 30 years, said she feels proud to see black investors improving the property and investing in the community.
Flo Rida is native to Miami Gardens (pictured)
Ward says business has already started to improve — but expects even more once construction is complete.
'A few more people have come in, but I'm waiting for everything to be finished,' she said. 'I've got five chairs open. I need renters. But I know once it's done, more people will come.'
As for the bigger picture?
'I'm just telling the truth — they're amazing people so far,' she said. 'Everything is still new, but let's see how things go over the next year or two. I love what they're doing. They're doing a good job. And I'm happy.'
Another longtime tenant, Grace Vernon, 74, who has run Flowers by Grace at the plaza for 30 years, echoed that pride to DailyMail.com.
'To be honest with you, it's very nice to see African American people investing in the community,' Vernon said. 'And it made me feel very proud.'
'They're refurbishing all the stores, and I mean, it looks fabulous,' she added. 'You want to have a place where your customers are happy to come in to do business — and that is the biggest impact I've seen.'
