Lawrence Todd Maxwell is a Florida-based real estate developer and the President of MX Properties, Inc., a respected firm known for thoughtful residential and commercial projects.
Born and raised in Lakeland, Florida, Maxwell studied Accounting and Economics at Florida Southern College. That education gave him a strong understanding of finance and business—skills he would later use to lead his own company.
MX Properties was founded in 1986, and Maxwell took control in 1993. Since then, he has built a career based on patience, consistency, and purpose. While others chased quick profits, Maxwell focused on steady, long-term development. He avoids flashy marketing and prefers to let the results speak for themselves.
He believes that leadership should come from action, not attention. His projects reflect careful planning, strong ethics, and a clear commitment to the communities they serve. Clients and peers see him as reliable, grounded, and honest.
Maxwell doesn’t seek the spotlight. He avoids using his image for branding and keeps his personal life private. Outside of work, he enjoys fitness and scale model building, two hobbies that help him slow down and think clearly.
What sets Maxwell apart is his clear vision and steady hand. He sees every project as personal and takes pride in doing the job right. In today’s fast-paced market, his quiet approach stands out.
He’s not interested in fame. He’s here to build things that last.
A Quiet Builder: A Conversation with Lawrence Todd Maxwell on Patience, Property, and Purpose
Q: You grew up in Lakeland, Florida. What role did your hometown play in shaping your path into real estate?
Lawrence Todd Maxwell: Lakeland was everything, really. It’s where I learned to slow down and observe. I wasn’t raised in a high-pressure, high-speed place. That gave me time to think. As I got older, I realised I didn’t want to leave. I wanted to help shape the town instead. Real estate became a way to do that—literally change the way your community looks and functions.
Q: You studied Accounting and Economics at Florida Southern College. Was real estate always the goal?
Not exactly. I didn’t grow up dreaming about development or owning a company. But I’ve always liked numbers. I liked systems. Studying accounting and economics gave me the tools to understand how businesses work and how to manage risk. Later, when I started getting into property—first small jobs, then more complex ones—I saw how valuable that training was. Real estate is part numbers, part instinct, and part discipline.
Q: MX Properties was formed in 1986, but you took over in 1993. What was that transition like?
At first, I didn’t plan to run the business. I was involved in smaller roles—project oversight, budgeting, managing site work. But I saw a gap: people chasing trends without a long-term view. So when the opportunity came to take the reins in ’93, I had a clear idea of what I wanted to build. Not just houses or offices, but a business with values—something that wouldn’t disappear the next time the market hiccupped.
Q: What kind of values are we talking about?
Consistency, mostly. And patience. I don’t believe in jumping on every trend or trying to be everywhere at once. I believe in doing the job well, staying in your lane, and building trust over time. That means showing up, doing the work, and not overpromising. It also means accepting that you’ll make mistakes and learning from them.
Q: That sounds almost old-fashioned in today’s fast-moving business world.
Maybe it is. But I think it works. I’m not on social media. I don’t want to be the face of the company. I don’t use my photo in promotional material. For me, the work is the brand. Let people see a finished project and form their own opinion. That’s how reputations used to be made—through results, not noise.
Q: Can you give an example of a time that philosophy paid off?
Sure. We had a commercial site years ago where the client wanted everything fast—fast build, fast returns. We could’ve done it their way and moved on, but I paused the job, re-evaluated the numbers, and pushed back on the timeline. It wasn’t popular. But in the end, that extra time helped us deliver something solid. That same client has since brought us three other projects. Because they saw we weren’t in it for a quick flip.
Q: What advice would you give someone looking to get into development today?
Start where you are. That’s what I did. I didn’t go chasing some booming city. I stayed in Lakeland. I understood the people and the land, and I worked from there. You don’t have to start with a skyscraper. Start with a duplex or a small lot. And don’t think six months ahead—think six years.
Q: Outside of work, you’ve mentioned scale model building. What’s the draw?
It’s the detail. You can’t rush a model. You have to be precise, patient, and present. It helps me slow my mind. Oddly enough, it mirrors how I approach development. I don’t rush projects. I break them down. Whether it’s wood, concrete, or plastic, the mindset’s the same—build with care.
Q: Do you see yourself as a leader in the industry?
I wouldn’t put it that way. I just try to lead my business well. If that helps someone else, great. But I’m not looking to be a guru or influencer. I’m a guy who stuck to what he believed in. And that’s been enough.
Q: Looking back over your career, what are you most proud of?
That I never had to change who I was to succeed. I didn’t chase every wave. I didn’t try to impress the room. I just built what I believed in—and I’m still doing it.