Tom Schwartz Reveals Heart-Warming Reason He Is Building a Home in Florida

Tom Schwartz has two construction projects on his mind: one sits on a peaceful pond in Florida, the other shares a literal wall with longtime friend Jax Taylor in Los Angeles. The former “Vanderpump Rules” star recently explained why he is pouring time and cash into each—and why only one of the addresses is really his.

Tom Schwartz Is Building His Dad a Home in the Sunshine State

During a livestream Q&A at Bravo HQ, Tom Schwartz told fans he is nearly finished with a Key West–style, three-bedroom home on a plot he bought in 2018. “I built it for my dad,” he said. “It’s almost done—about fifteen-hundred square feet with a really pretty kitchen.” The modest footprint belies the project’s emotional weight. Schwartz first teased the plan on the 2024 episode of the podcast “Balancing Act with Kristen Doute and Luke Broderick,” calling it “a dream finally coming to fruition.”

The timing, however, is bittersweet. Schwartz revealed that his father—who survived near-fatal blood clots in 2023—returned to the hospital just as move-in day approached. “He’s OK and stable right now,” Schwartz told Bravo.

“He’s actually back in the hospital right now. So, it’s sad. It’s bittersweet because, you know, as we’re approaching a move-in date, I’m not so sure if he’s going to be able to move in,” he continued.

Last year, he told Rolling Stone his dad once had “a five percent chance of living,” making the Florida build both a milestone and a motivation.

Schwartz Has a New Neighbor on ‘The Valley’

While the Florida house waits, Schwartz spends most days taping “The Valley,” where season 2 cameras captured Jax Taylor moving into the townhouse next door on the most recent episode.

Viewers watched Schwartz and Jason Caperna help Taylor pack before touring the adjoining units. “Jax’s hassle castle and Schwartz’s sanctuary,” Schwartz joked on-screen, adding a playful warning: “You can’t cross that boundary without my permission.” Taylor fired back, “No, I’m taking that glass down.”

Taylor’s new place features neutral tones, a walk-in closet for son Cruz, and a terrace that connects directly to Schwartz’s outdoor space. Though viewers have yet to see inside Schwartz’s unit this season, the bar owner shared a peek on Instagram last August, showing off what he called a “dreamy view” and a sleek kitchen. Living inches apart from Taylor may invite drama, but Schwartz seems ready: he told Bravo fans the setup is “temporary fun” until Florida is officially home for his dad.

Tell us! If you were Tom Schwartz, would you rather live in Florida or next door to Jax Taylor? Let us know in the comments below.