Private Communities Registry Celebrates Three Decades of Innovation in Vero Beach
A Vero Beach-based company that revolutionized how Americans search for lifestyle real estate is marking a major milestone this month. Private Communities Registry (PCR), widely recognized as the original online search engine for master-planned communities, is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Founded in 1996—two years before the launch of Google—PCR has grown from a local startup into a national authority on amenity-rich living.
The company was established to address a specific void in the real estate market of the mid-1990s. While traditional marketing focused heavily on individual property specs like square footage, co-founder Marie Roberts recognized that a significant segment of buyers was prioritizing lifestyle above all else. Roberts, a real estate industry veteran who worked as a broker in Vero Beach and at the Ocean Reef Club, utilized her local experience to build a platform that catered to these specific needs.
In the mid-1990s, lifestyle buyers had no trusted online resource to help them compare communities. I knew there had to be a better way to connect people with places that truly fit how they wanted to live. PCR was created to fill that gap—and 30 years later, that mission hasn’t changed. — Marie Roberts, Co-Founder and President of PCR
From Local Roots to National Reach
What began as a collection of community showcases primarily in Florida and the Southeast has evolved into a comprehensive national resource. Today, the platform features nearly 300 of the top private and lifestyle communities across the United States. The site attracts approximately one million visitors annually, connecting buyers with developments centered around golf, boating, active adult living, and other recreational focuses.
Throughout its three-decade history, PCR has navigated significant industry shifts, including the 2008 housing recession and the recent real estate surge following the COVID-19 pandemic. As the market for gated and 55+ communities has fluctuated, the company has maintained partnerships with major national builders such as K. Hovnanian® Homes, Lennar, Kolter Homes, and Minto Communities.
Leadership and Future Outlook
The company’s operations continue to be driven by a focus on high-quality, high-intent connections rather than volume alone. Ben Keal, the Director of Sales & Operations and Managing Broker for Private Communities Realty, LLC, emphasized that the fundamental behavior of their audience remains consistent, even as technology evolves.
According to Keal, while artificial intelligence is changing how consumers gather initial information, platforms like PrivateCommunities.com remain vital for buyers who have defined their lifestyle goals and are ready to transact.
PCR has always attracted buyers who are serious, informed, and ready to act. What’s remarkable is how well that model still performs today—even as technology and search behavior evolve. Communities don’t just need traffic; they need the right traffic. That’s what PCR has delivered for 30 years. — Ben Keal, Director of Sales & Operations
As the company enters its fourth decade of operation, it retains its headquarters in Vero Beach, continuing to serve as a bridge between developers and homebuyers seeking specific lifestyle amenities, from pickleball courts to coastal access.
