Power Developers - Miami Condo Lifestyle

Power Developers of Real Estate

Friday, December 03, 2004 -Sun Post

Developer.

What is a developer?

According to the Second College Edition of the American Heritage Dictionary, a developer is "one that develops." More specifically, it is a "person who develops real estate." A developer can also be "a chemical used to render visible the image recorded on a photosensitive surface."

While we would like to contemplate on the science of developing photos, for the purpose of this section we must ask: who is a person who develops real estate? Is he or she a real estate agent, a real estate lawyer, a construction manager or an architect who decides to strike out on his own? Is he a person who accumulated a fortune through other means (food distribution, healthcare, corporate takeovers, insurance) and decided to try his hand at building living spaces, areas of commerce and pleasure and business headquarters? Is he a person who is born to lead investors or a company toward a profit-making real estate venture? Is he really a person, or a corporate entity seeking a safe alternative to stocks, bonds or precious metals?

Best answer we can give is: all of the above. Except the last question is a little bit harder to answer. Developers can sometimes just be one individual backed by minor partners or many equal partners. Developers can also be chosen to be the "face" of a project by other principals or a corporate entity for his knowledge of that region's landscape, his financing skills, his personal networking skills, his image (the chemical used to render it visible), or a mixture of all these qualities.

In "Power Developers," the SunPost seeks to give some examples of the many people who continue to reshape the still booming commodity known as South Florida, particularly within Miami-Dade County. For better or worse, richer or poorer, the Greater Miami region is being touted all over the world as a safe investment that won't tank like the stock market, won't be overthrown, terrorized or conquered like other places in the world, won't experience an earthquake or even a slight snowfall. (No reason to mention hurricanes...) As such, the money keeps pouring in, the zonings get changed, the neighborhoods change and the local economy keeps humming along.

This section won't dwell so much on the by-products of development. It is simply a snapshot of what is going on around our region and the men and women who are making it happen. Like 'em or dislike 'em, they are the Power Developers of Real Estate, the people who are rendering an image and a reality that is very, very visible.

Shaya Boymelgreen

By himself, Shaya Boymelgreen was one of the most prolific developers in New York City. Now, teamed up with Africa-Israel Investments, a company that earned billions in the diamond market and other transactions, Boymelgreen not only continues building in New York, but has announced his intent to invest $1.5 billion in Miami and Miami Beach.

Already A.I. & Boymelgreen, the name of the venture-partnership, has a portfolio of $130 million in prime South Florida property. Long-term, they plan to build 3.5 million square feet in this corner of the Sunshine State. In addition to more than five million square feet of residential, retail and mixed-use projects currently under development in New York and Canada, A.I. & Boymelgreen will develop six projects in South Florida within two years. They have also acquired 25 parcels in the Park West area of Downtown Miami, near the Performing Arts Center, along Biscayne Boulevard in Edgewater, the Brickell Avenue area and South Beach.

A.I. & Boymelgreen's flagship project, the Marquis, is an Architectonica-designed 61-story tower featuring 310 residential units. Included in the project is a 50-unit boutique hotel.

Jorge Perez

Jorge M. Pérez is the founder and chairman of The Related Group of Florida, a real estate development company that seeks to redefine South Florida's skyline with projects all over Miami, Miami Beach, Aventura, Hallandale Beach, West Palm Beach and other municipalities in the tri-county area.

Under Pérez's leadership, The Related Group has become South Florida's leading real estate development firm specializing in condominiums, urban mixed-use and rental properties, with real estate financing, sales, and property management divisions. Since Pérez founded the company in 1979, The Related Group of Florida has built and managed over 50,000 units. Projects to the Related Group's credit, as well as those now under development, are almost too numerous to list here.

The Related Group of Florida is now ranked the top multifamily Florida real estate developer and the third largest Hispanic-owned business in the United States, reporting $1.25 billion in gross annual revenues in 2003 with a current portfolio of more than $6 billion in real estate assets.

Tibor Hollo

Call him the 50/50 Man because, in the course of 50 years, Tibor Hollo has built 50 million square feet of construction projects. The founder and president of Florida East Coast Realty, Tibor Hollo is credited with building the first high-rise building on Brickell Avenue in 1972: Rivergate Plaza. Other projects in Hollo's resume include the Bay Parc Plaza, Venetia/The Grand, the Biscayne Bay Marriott Hotel and Marina, Plaza Venetia, Flamingo Plaza, Vizcaya Towers, Center House, Sans Souci Manor, Tropicana East, West Apartments, the Twin Lakes Racquet Club, the Omni complex, 888 Brickell Avenue, and a few government buildings such as the United Stated Justice Department Building in Downtown Miami.

Now Hollo focuses on his latest project: the Club at Brickell Bay, a 43-story high-rise that is being promoted as "Miami's Answer to Park Avenue."

Edgardo Defortuna

2004 has been stellar for Fortune International, with its ever-present founder and president, Edgardo Defortuna, at the helm. Just last month Defortuna opened the doors to Fortune's iconic tower, Jade Residences at Brickell Bay, co-developed by Hong Kong-based Swire Properties. The $290 million luxury tower is 48-stories tall with more than 300+ residences along Biscayne Bay.

Meanwhile, Defortuna is preparing for a second opening early next year, that of Fortune International's newest condominium hotel, M Resort Residences, a 25-story, 210 furnished unit oceanfront glass tower in Sunny Isles Beach that will operate as Le Meridien Sunny Isles Beach Resort where residents and guests will enjoy European-style hotel services.

Now Defortuna is embarking on Fortune's most ambitious development to date: Jade Beach, designed by Carlos Ott as the lead architect, whose recent achievements include L'Opera de la Bastille in Paris, the National Grand Theater of Beijing and the Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai.

Other properties presently being developed by Fortune include The Bridgewater featuring 118 condominiums along Biscayne Bay in North Bay Village, and 1110 Brickell, the Brickell area's first office-condo building with approximately 60 offices.

Fortune recently announced it will co-develop two new properties next year. In collaboration with Shefaor Development, Defortuna will be developing Artech in Aventura, which will be designed by Ott in the shape of an elegant ship, feature its very own marina and offer 235 luxury residences. Fortune will also serve as co-developer of the oceanfront Seville Hotel, in conjunction with Lionstone Group, owners of the Ritz-Carlton South Beach.

Brian Street

As steward of the mammoth ship known as Boca Developers, Brian Street is a multifaceted and well-traveled captain. Born in South Africa, Brian Street studied in France and Australia and served in the South African and Israeli militaries. After starting several successful companies, he found himself in South Florida in the late '90s, where he launched Boca Developers. In only a few short years, Brian Street has guided the company to prominence as one of the area's leading luxury multifamily development firms with projects from Miami to Palm Beach. Past projects include Hamptons South, The Peninsula in Aventura and Mizner Grand in Boca Raton. Street is currently partnered with Michael Swerdlow in his effort to build Biscayne Landing, a massive mixed-use development with 5,000 residential units, a hotel, a park, a community center, commercial property and other amenities.

Evangeline Gouletas

Blowing in from the city of Chicago in 2003 after developing over $4 billion worth of properties and at least 30,000 condominiums in 40 markets in the past 35 years, Evangeline Gouletas, chair and CEO of Skyline Equities Realty, is developing Skyline at Mary Brickell Village, a 369-unit mixed-use project with restaurants, retail and "entertainment options," and Skyline on Brickell, a 35 story tower with 360 luxury residential units, targeted for completion in July 2004. A trustee member of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Gouletas continues searching for development opportunities all over the United States. "Gouletas named her firm Skyline for two reasons," informs her bio, "She intends to continue to impact the skylines of major cities across the country and because to her and her company 'The Sky is the Limit.'"

Anthony Seijas and Carlos Gonzalez

Lennar Developers is a subsidiary of Lennar Corporation, a $7 billion multidivisional, home-building company with projects all over these United States. One of those states happens to be Florida. So there is a lot of responsibility being placed on the shoulders of Anthony Seijas and Carlos Gonzalez, the two men chosen to lead Lennar's expansion into South Florida's condominium market.

Anthony Seijas holds several bragging rights. As president of Lennar Developers Inc., he has already introduced three luxury projects in its first year. He began his career with Lennar in 1993, was awarded with several promotions and, at just 30 years old, became the youngest person at Lennar to hold the title of president of a division. As a testament to his ability to lead in his newest role, The Grand sold out within seven hours. The mid-rise was followed by Colonnade in Downtown Dadeland and 360º in North Bay Village.

Carlos Gonzalez holds the title of vice president of sales and marketing for the Lennar Homes/Lennar Developers Inc., Dade Division. A long title for a job with a lot of responsibility: he is in charge of supervising the sales and marketing department, closings, financial forecasting, land feasibility analysis, acquisitions, product development and operations. On behalf of Lennar he oversees a staff of 50 and is in charge of 7,000 home sites.

Together the pair has made Lennar Developers a major player in the community once again.

Willy Bermello

As president of BAP Development, Willy Bermello has demonstrated the qualities of a visionary leader who takes calculated risks. He has grown his Miami-based development company from a portfolio of one 264-unit project to eight visually exciting and high-quality projects, by seeking out urbanizing areas and promising to add luxury product to their landscapes. To date, Bermello is building in Dade and Palm Beach Counties, in the Dominican Republic and even on the west coast of Florida in the emerging real estate market of Fort Myers. Bermello also serves as chairman and CEO of Bermello, Ajamil & Partners Inc. (B&A), an architecture and engineering firm, utilizing his skills in those areas and his business acumen to bring projects such as Onyx, Opera Palace and Cypress Club to fruition.

Michael Samuel

The much-anticipated Midtown Miami is said to have been the brainchild of Michael Samuel, a New York developer who comes with a long list of credentials for redefining a neighborhood. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Samuel learned the real estate business from his father, who had amassed a collection of residential buildings in New York. He founded Samuel & Co., now a $2 billion firm, as a property management and full-service building maintenance firm that was hailed for pioneering a high-tech time-management system that enhanced security and accountability for clients. He was also instrumental in converting rentals during the birth of the co-op concept in New York City. Now as a partner in Midtown Group, with the affluent Joe Cayre of Midtown Equities, he is redeveloping Wynwood and the Upper East Side with projects such as Midtown Miami and Nirvana, while simultaneously creating hundreds of jobs.

Lissette Calderon

At just 30 years old, Lissette Calderon has emerged as one of Miami's rising developers. In fact, Neo Lofts and NeoVertika, two progressive development projects located on the south bank of the Miami River, have been met with an overwhelming response from buyers. Her pioneering spirit, coupled with her vast experience, led residents to the riverfront for the first time in almost a century.

Now on her third endeavor, Neo Wind, Lissette upholds her commitment to infuse a unique look and feel into her projects. Once a fresh face on the scene, she is now respected as one of the trendiest and most forward thinking professionals in real estate.

Harvey Hernandez

The head of H&H Development Co., Harvey Hernandez acquires prime real estate in centrally located areas and develops high-quality buildings without passing on the high cost to consumers. As a result, Hernandez has a portfolio of seven development projects and more than 1,200 units in only three years. Fueled by an innate desire to create, and armed with an entrepreneurial spirit, the real estate investor turned developer began to diversify his investments to include ground-up projects. Today, condominiums like Mediterranean and Solaris fulfill the niche of attractively priced condominiums, while the 2005 venture in the Miami Arts District distinguishes itself with its signature design flair and strong reference to the Arts.

Scott Greenwald

Scott Greenwald began his career in real estate under the tutelage of his father, went on to earn prestigious degrees in the field, and has emerged as an aggressive developer with several notable projects in his growing portfolio. As busy as he is redefining the way condominiums are built, Greenwald keeps his family close by. So close in fact that The Lexi in North Bay Village, which follows a string of highly successful residential developments, is named after his daughter, and his company, J. Max Development, is a tribute to his son. His latest ventures, The Lexi and Industry Lofts, are making waves. As a true loft conversion, Industry brings the authentic SoHo style to South Beach. And as a true creator, Greenwald injects his own predilection for fine living into well-designed projects.

Andi Greenwald

President and founder of the Andi Greenwald Development Group, Andi Greenwald, sister of fellow "power developer" Scott Greenwald, is currently working on two new projects. The first is Bali, a small, exclusive, gated South Beach property with four condominium homes finished with immaculate and ultra luxurious details. The property will include a lap pool, Jacuzzi, and parking in a gated, secluded, tropical setting. Greenwald is also developing a 15,000 square foot, waterfront mansion estate on exclusive North Bay Road.

Previously, Greenwald completed restorations at residential buildings: Tribeca, Santa Monica, Metropolis, Coconut and Cabana. The Miami Design Preservation League has honored her twice for excellence in restoration, in 2002 and 2000. For her commitment to the community, Greenwald received the key to the City of Miami Beach in 2004.

Greenwald said she wants those who buy homes she helped to redevelop to be sure they are built to the highest quality. "This is what's going to survive me. It's important that it gets done right."

Paul Drummond

Paul Drummond has a relentless desire to meet challenges head on and accomplish whatever is required.

Raised in Columbia, Maryland, Drummond attended Louisiana State University and earned a bachelor's degree in landscape architecture and urban design. After initially starting a landscape architecture firm in Maryland after graduation, he became involved with WCI Communities in 1997 where he soon became project manager of development projects in Naples and Pelican Bay on the west coast of Florida such as The Estates at Bay Colony Golf Club, Villa Coronado, Cove Towers and The Colony.

Drummond has since been tasked with overseeing WCI's projects on the east coast of this state as regional president of WCI's East Coast Towers Division in 2002. Drummond now is in charge of 19 luxury high-rise projects from Coral Gables to Jacksonville with residences priced from $500,000 to $12 million, including One Bal Harbour and Mosaic in Miami.

Pedro Martin

Pedro Martin is the chief executive officer of Terra International, a Miami-based real estate company that focuses on luxury, high-rise development in urban core neighborhoods throughout South Florida. Under Martin's leadership, Terra has grown dramatically in the last three years. Terra completed its first development, Nautica, this summer. Terra also began construction on Quantum on the Bay in the Miami Arts District where the groundbreaking was kicked off by a free concert in Margaret Pace Park attended by 3,000 people in August. After becoming one of Downtown Dadeland's pioneers last year with the development of Metropolis at Dadeland, the first of two towers is near completion and the project is sold out. Martin's newest endeavor, 900 Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, will be a luxurious bayfront property with a boutique feel. The developer has raised $88.5 million dollars in equity since 2001 and is close to reaching the $1 billion dollars sales mark by year's end.

In addition to being a real estate developer, Martin is also an engineer and lawyer with a master's degree in business administration. He has over 30 years of experience practicing law in the state of Florida. Martin is a senior partner and principal shareholder at Greenberg & Traurig and has been representing developers and lending institutions in residential real estate since the 1970s.

J. Claudio Stivelman and Gilbert Benhamou

One of the fastest growing real estate development companies in South Florida, Shefaor Development LLC ("Shefaor" means blessings and enlightenment in Hebrew) specializes in luxury high-rise residential condominiums, and retail and mixed-use projects.

The driving force behind Shefaor is its principals J. Claudio Stivelman and Gilbert Benhamou. Stivelman and Benhamou believe that Aventura is destined to be the Beverly Hills of Florida with 30,000 residents, visitors from Canada, France, Spain, Germany, England and Latin America.

Real estate investor and banker Claudio Stivelman, a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, holds degrees in civil engineering and economics. For the past 10 years, Stivelman has invested in Florida. In 2002, Stivelman embraced a unique opportunity: purchasing two pieces of land in Thunder Alley, behind Loehmann's Plaza, in the heart of Aventura. The site, a 4.66-acre parcel, was developed by Shefaor as Uptown Marina Lofts, Aventura's first loft community. The units are also the first ones in Aventura to be fully stocked with the highest technology in the market for smart homes.

Gilbert Benhamou, founder and CEO of Apex Development Group, was an established player in the South Florida real estate market, developing luxury commercial and residential properties for more than a decade. He has more than 20 years of experience as an entrepreneur and businessman in France and the United States. Benhamou was the developer of the Grand Venetian, the last high-rise project to be developed on Belle Isle near Lincoln Road.

Shefaor's latest project: Lincoln Point. Located near Williams Island, Shefaor will lead a 147-unit condo conversion and also develop the surrounding 9.5 aces that will include a tower with 400 residential units.

Phillip Wolman and Eric Sheppard

There's been plenty of cause for celebration this season for Miami Beach-based real estate developer, WSG Development Company and its principals, Philip Wolman and Eric Sheppard. Together, the two managed to lure Tucson-based Canyon Ranch - a celebrated health resort in the U.S. - to Florida for what will be the nation's very first residential wellness community. Soon after announcing the venture, sales success followed and the resplendent six-acre oceanfront property, named Canyon Ranch Living - Miami Beach, logged nearly $260 million in sales in just under six months.

"Canyon Ranch Living - Miami Beach is a unique product, across the board," said Sheppard, speaking on behalf of WSG Development. "We partnered with the renowned Canyon Ranch brand to build a community that focused on a comprehensive healthy lifestyle. There was a pent-up demand for a property like this... until now."

Founded in 1995, WSG Development Company specializes in acquisition, development and construction of commercial and real estate in 15 states nationwide. Combining 40 years of corporate and development experience, Wolman and Sheppard have led WSG to the forefront of the real estate and development arena. In the Miami-Dade area, WSG is currently developing Sky Residence near Biscayne Bay (already sold out) and the 17-story Sky in North Bay Village and also owns the Sheridan Center in Miami.

Alessandro Ferretti

Armed with a doctorate in civil engineering and architecture, Verona-born Alessandro Ferretti joined his family's engineering firm in 1980, where he soon became involved with the business's commercial and real estate development arm. Ferretti's first solo venture was as project manager and assistant to the developer of a $10 million renovation project that converted a group of historic 16th century buildings in Verona into a commercial and residential space. In 1984 he founded Costruzioni Verona, a firm dedicated to the renovation of residential buildings. He served as chairman of the board and president from 1984 to 1993.

Beginning in 1990, Ferretti entered the international development field, founding FAI SRL, a company designed to assist international developers, from pre-construction through sale to the marketing of the finished product. In 1991 FAI opened its first United States office on New York's Madison Avenue, marking the young developer's entrance into the domestic American market.

Ferretti's introduction to Miami and to the world of hotels began in 1993 with the purchase of his first property in South Beach, The Sharon Hotel. Originally purchased for a condominium development, Ferretti sold The Sharon in 1997 when it became part of the Shore Club. His business acumen and vision then led Ferretti to South Beach's last frontier - South of 5th Street. His developments in this area include The Wave Hotel at 350 Ocean Drive, The Ambassadors Condominium at 235 Michigan Avenue and The Atlantic Center, a 75,000-square-foot building complex one block north of Joe's Stone Crab restaurant.

Now all the energy of Ferretti's group is concentrated on Artecity, a residential project covering an entire city block between 21st and 22nd Streets, Park and Washington Avenues, aimed to bring new life to the "Cultural Campus" of Miami Beach.

Silvia Sabates Coltrane

A successful broker and now developer of a choice group of residential projects, Silvia Sabates Coltrane has emerged as a leader in South Florida's highly competitive arena where styles, floor plans and amenities invented here become de rigueur across the nation. For 24 years, Coltrane advised and handled sales for developers with her company Real Estate Transactions, Incorporated (RETI). Now, as CEO of Miami Beach-based Transacta Developers, LLC, founded together with her husband Thomas Coltrane, Silvia has a half-dozen projects on her own resumé. She began with Parc Plaza, a condo conversion in Miami Beach, and then built Azure, a luxurious beachfront high-rise near Bal Harbor Shops that is sold out. Lanai in Surfside is Coltrane's innovative alternative to high-rise living: 32 townhouse residences, each with a serene entry courtyard. In mid-2005, she will start Privé Condominium at Collins and 69th Street on Miami Beach.

The fifth project on developer Coltrane's drawing board is Sabeli, planned for the parcel on Collins Avenue and 94th Street across from Azure. Moving north to Fort Lauderdale, in late 2005 she will commence work on a new condominium hotel whose neighbors will include a W Hotel, a Trump development, a St. Regis and a Hilton.

Inigo Ardid

Born in Spain, developer Inigo Ardid uses his passion for the good life and his love of Miami as inspiration for his projects.

The inexhaustible, 6'2", 27-year-old often caps his long days at the office with extended evenings that embrace Miami's vibrant culture, and Ardid believes his developments should reflect Miami's sophistication - hip, fresh and stylish.

The Miami River is Ardid's new center of attention, where The Ivy will take shape as a modern 45-story tower of 400+ condominium residences, complemented by an extensive array of services and amenities.

Ardid moved to South Florida at age three. After graduating from California's Pepperdine University with a degree in business administration, he immediately joined Key International, which has been operating in South Florida for close to 20 years, developing dozens of commercial and residential properties in Coral Gables, Brickell, South Beach, and Downtown Miami. For the past six years he has been the company's director, responsible for overseeing new developments.

Robert Thorne

In a former life, Robert Thorne was an entrepreneur in the healthcare industry. From 1992, when he was employed by healthcare provider Q-Med, to 1997, when his radiology company, ACUD, acquired four imaging and health diagnostic companies, Robert Thorne was a trendsetter.

Then he switched jobs, so to speak. In 1998 he began to acquire land in South Florida in much the same way he acquired companies. In 1999, he founded RBT investments, a real estate holding and management company, and the Royal Bay Group, a Miami-based luxury real estate development firm whose partners have "more than 100 years of involvement in the real estate business and related disciplines," according to a RBG bio. Projects include The Chelsea, Westside Lofts, Grand Palazzo, Miami City View, Strata and the Lofts at Mayfair, a Coconut Grove-based project to break ground this month.

Ugo Colombo

Simply put, Ugo Colombo has come to define and dominate the niche, high-end condo market. In fact, Colombo may have invented what refined luxury means in residential development. His wealthy, Italian upbringing, coupled with a natural meticulous eye for detail, has given way to a hands-on, innovative approach to development. From Bristol Tower to Grovenor House to his still unnamed current undertaking, Colombo has given birth to some of the most elegant and exclusive landmark condominiums in South Florida. At 54 stories, Santa Maria surpassed all other residential developments as the tallest building south of New York City at the time. Porto Vita, a $400 million Mediterranean-style village in Aventura, set 375 exquisite homes on an expansive 18-acre development. For Grovenor House, Colombo commissioned fellow Italian, Michele Bonan, to create an enchanting, nautically inspired lobby. He ushered the acclaimed designer over land and sea to ensure the space would represent a radical departure from traditional condominium developments. All of Colombo's creations incorporate his own sense of style, elegance and privacy, and represent prime examples of legendary living.

Jacobo Cababie

One third of GICSA, Mexico's largest development company, Jacobo Cababie can sense opportunity. After helping catapult his family's company to eminence, he set his sights on Florida's real estate market, recognizing its strength and multicultural audience. He relocated to Miami in 2000 to form Cabi Developers, with the upscale Parc at Turnberry Isle marking the company's first foray into the U.S. market. In three short years, Cabi has gained stature as one of South Florida's leading developers. With the 851-unit Everglades on the Bay condominium in Downtown Miami, Cabi is capturing the city's colorful, vivacious spirit in a hip home for urbanites. The twin tower high-rise project is slated to feature many of the same high-end retail shops GICSA properties are known for attracting.

Al Piazza

For the last 25 years Coscan Homes has built more than 5,000 homes in over 20 communities either as a residential developer or as a construction company. Coscan Homes operates as a "fully integrated residential developer and construction company." For example, Coscan Construction is the general contractor for NoLa lofts in Ft. Lauderdale, two luxury high-rises for Trump Dezer Development in Sunny Isles, Uptown Marina Lofts in Aventura and Ice in Miami. But Coscan also acts as a developer of buildings such as Atlantic One in Aventura and Cypress Grove, a joint-venture project with Tarragon in Pompano Beach. At the helm of Coscan homes is Al Piazza, the president and CEO, who has more than two decades of development, acquisition and operations experience with upscale residential projects in Florida. Piazza joined Coscan in 1996 as senior vice president of development and became its president in 1998. He oversees all aspects of construction, development, finance, marketing and sales for Coscan Homes, which, during his leadership of the company, has successfully developed more than $575 million of residential high-rise condominiums and single family homes. Prior to joining Coscan, he was associated with several of Florida's well-known real estate projects. He previously served as general manager of Porto Vita in Aventura. Piazza was also senior vice president, finance and operations for Lansbrook Development Corporation in Palm Harbor, Florida, where he oversaw finance, sales, marketing and operations for a 2,100-acre single-family home real estate development. In addition, Piazza was executive vice president of development and operations and chief financial officer for Williams Island, a $1 billion luxury residential resort community in Aventura.

Michael Gold and Robert Wohl

Sonoma Development, developers of Ice, is led by Michael Gold and Robert Wohl. Sonoma Development will combine the three Ice towers and 23 low-rise town houses to create Sapphire Bay, an eight-acre private waterfront project within Miami's Upper East Side

Michael Gold moved from the United Kingdom to the United States in 1967, where he has been involved in a variety of business ventures and has gained experience at all management levels. In the late '60s he became the president of Abbot & Bon-Ott, an interior design, architecture, construction, and real estate development firm based in Miami. A decade later, Gold was working as a partner at GR Development Company - also in Miami - developing single-family homes and warehouses. Early in the 1980s he worked in North Carolina for City Center Development Inc. - once again developing single-family homes and warehouses while adding office building development to his extensive portfolio. Later that decade, Gold co-founded both the Vectrix Corporation, a computer graphics company in North Carolina which he chaired, and the Triad Bank in North Carolina where he was also the director. Immediately following the founding of these two companies, he became president of ITI Systems Inc in San Jose, California, and later headed The Rothchilde Group in Bethesda, Maryland from 1987 - 1995. Presently, Michael Gold's sole endeavor is making Sapphire Bay a reality.

Michael Gold shares the Sonoma Development helm with his nephew and business partner Robert Wohl. Wohl has been involved in South Florida real estate for the last twenty years. Throughout the 1980s he worked for Miami Reality where he managed over twenty million dollars of real estate in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and Hollywood. In 1988, he formed his own company to manage the Wohl and Gold families' real estate investments. In the early 1990s Wohl oversaw the purchase of properties on 31st and 32nd Streets and is currently overseeing those parcels' transformation into Sapphire Bay.

Timothy Weller

As vice president of development at MDM Development Group, Timothy Weller has been responsible for the development of the JW Marriott and the Mellon Financial Center, both on Brickell Avenue. Currently, he is overseeing the development of Metropolitan Miami, a $700 million, mixed-use project in the heart of downtown Miami.

Prior to joining MDM Development Group, Weller was a hotel industry executive for twenty years and served as general manager of several four-star hotels. He joined MDM Hotels Inc. as general manager of the Dadeland Marriott in 1989 and transitioned into MDM Development Group when it was formed in 1997.

As vice president of development for MDM Development Group, Weller serves as direct liaison between the owners, contractors, financial institutions and design teams. He is charged with expediting zoning, permitting and construction processes to assure that projects are completed on schedule.

A graduate of Ohio State University, Weller is fluent in Chinese and is certified in hotel administration.

Gil Dezer

The youngest developer of luxury high rise residential and condo hotel developments in the United States, he and his partners, Donald J. Trump and his father, Michael Dezer, are changing the landscape of Sunny Isles Beach with projects such as the Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences, consisting of the newly opened Trump International Sonesta Beach Resort; a 371-unit condo hotel, Trump Palace; a 278-unit, 55-story condo tower scheduled for completion in 2005; and Trump Royale, a 391-unit, 55-story condo tower now under construction and scheduled for completion in 2007. The project represents a $700 million commitment by the three partners.

Gil Dezer, now a full time Aventura resident, moved to South Florida at the age of 18 to attend the University of Miami, where he graduated with a degree in international finance and marketing. As president of Trump Dezer Development, Gil Dezer is the point man in the company's efforts to transform 45 acres of oceanfront property, including 2,100 feet of land between 158th and 191st Streets along Collins Avenue that is slated for redevelopment as mid and high-rise luxury condominiums, condo-hotels, hotels and rental communities.

Martin Z. Margulies

Past development projects of Martin Margulies include Grove Isle in Coconut Grove and Grand Bay Towers in Key Biscayne. Margulies is currently focusing on his latest project, the 24-story Bellini-Bal Harbour on the Ocean, offering 81 luxury residences selling between $1 and $3 million at the site where his first development project, The Kenilworth, once stood. An art gallery collector, Margulies is said to be personally involved with every aspect of the Bellini Project, even making several trips to stone quarries and factories of Italy and Turkey to select the marbles, granites and terracotta that will make up the boutique condo's lobby, gardens, private residences, and spa areas. His art collecting nature (he has an extensive collection of works on display in a facility in Wynwood) has also made Margulies one of the leading figures to actually oppose the construction of a new Miami Art Museum in Bicentennial Park.

John Melk

John Melk, owner of Fisher Island, is a real estate developer, financier, and hotel operator. He is currently the CEO of Fisher Island Holdings, LLC, where he develops luxury real estate and oversees the island's club and hotel operations. He sits on the board of directors of various publicly traded companies including Auto Nation, USA and Extended Stay America, and holds board positions among several privately owned companies as well. He is also the majority owner of H20+, a skin and body care manufacturer with retail locations in high-end regional malls throughout the world, and was the co-founder of both Blockbuster Entertainment and Waste Management.

His latest endeavor on the development front: The Estates of Fisher Island, a selection of single-family residences that are being offered starting at $3 million and range in size from 4,000 to 7,000 square feet.

John Conroy and Jonathan Breene

Founded by John Conroy and Jonathan Breene in 1998, the Setai Group is based in New York and specializes in luxury residential and five-star boutique hotels in cities throughout the North American continent and the West Indies, developing more than 1.2 million square feet of residential and mixed-use projects with over half a billion dollars in sales. In South Beach, the Setai Group is building the Setai Resort and Residences, a 40-story luxury oceanfront condo hotel that will offer 175 residential units and 88 hotel rooms. The project is slated for completion in late 2004.

Conroy, who spends much of his time overseeing The Vendome, a 119-unit condo residence in Dallas, Texas, has 20 years in the real estate business. He was previously the chief financial officer of development at Millennium Partners, a New York-based development company focusing on luxury condo and mixed-use projects and was instrumental in completing $600 million of mixed-use and residential projects.

It was at Millennium that Conroy met Breene, now the overseer of Miami Beach's Setai Resort and Residences. During his Millennium days, Breene was responsible for acquisition opportunities in cities like New York, Miami, Chicago and London. In Miami, he was involved with the development of the 80-story Four Seasons Hotel & Tower.

Ronald Gaines, Javier Henriques, Charles Sieger, Jose Suarez and Ronald Bloomberg

Teamwork.

It's necessary for all sorts of things - development of high-rises definitely being one of them. BSG Development, a full-service real estate firm, is the result of five longtime veterans of the real estate industry teaming up.

Charles Sieger and Jose Suarez are principals of the world-renowned Sieger Suarez Architectural Partnership that is credited with designing landmark high-rises for other developers.

Ronald Bloomberg, president of Centaur Realty and a former investment banker, is a veteran real estate investor, and a developer in his own right.

Ronald Gaines, founding member of the GS2 Corporation is a contractor and construction manager.

And, last but not least, is corporate wiz Javier Henriques, chief financial officer.

Together this team developed three high-rise projects (so far) along Miami Beach's "Millionaire's Row": 6000 Indian Creek, Terra Beachside Villas and Cabana.

Miguel Angel Barbagallo, Alberto Fernandez Prieto and Julio Comparada

Terrazas International Group is the joint venture of BA Investment Group, headed by Fernandez Prieto and Julio Comparada, and B Developments, headed by Miguel Angel Barbagallo. Formed in 2002, the business concept behind BA Investment is to provide professionals of moderate incomes with a modern and high quality product - a market disregarded by a majority of developers in the South Florida market. Terrazas River Park Village, which will be located at 1861 N.W. South River Drive, will begin pricing for individual units from the $200,000s. Terrazas River Park is targeted toward professionals employed in the Civic Center area of Miami, where more than 30,000 people work.

Miguel Angel Barbagallo brought his third-generation expertise of the middle-class real estate market from Argentina to Miami. Barbagallo founded and represented Argentina in the Confederacion Inmobiliaria del Mercosur y Chile (C.I.M.eCh.) in Buenos Aires. This organization seeks to create a gateway for buyers experiencing problems with their newly purchased homes. In Miami, he was one of the founders and CEO of the Fortune International Group, which was responsible for assisting in the construction of Jade on Brickell Bay, Bellagio in Sunny Isles, Marine Bay Clubs and Willow Lakes Phase I. In 2002, Barbagallo decided to return to his grass root business plan - and beliefs - and joined forces with BA Investment Group to create Terrazas.

Alberto Fernandez Prieto, also a native of Argentina, began his career as an architect in the mid-eighties and became a renowned specialist throughout Latin America. After designing over 4.5 million square feet worth of residences, he founded Fernandez Prieto and Associates, Engineers and Architects S.A, as well as the Fernandez Prieto Group in partnership with the construction company Edintar S.A.

Julio Comparada formed Comarti Group, a conglomerate of several service industries such as health, technology, sports business and pension plans. From this venture, Comparada purchased the capital stock of the insurance company El Surco Cia. De Seguros in 1990. With the new ownership and management, the company went from a feeble financial situation and inefficient operation, to being a leader in the Life Insurance Industry in Argentina.

In 1998 Comarti and Fernandez Prieto Groups joined forces to develop three Buenos Aires urban icons: Terrazas de Puerto Madero, Terrazas del Dique and Terrazas del Yatch. These companies built a benchmark development within the riverfront segment of the real estate market - and decided to project the idea together to the international market as BA Investment Group.

Craig Robins

Dacra was founded by Craig Robins in 1987. Back then, Dacra focused on restoring Art Deco buildings in South Beach for which he received a lot of press as a renowned preservationist through collaborative efforts between architects, artists and designers.

For the last six years, Dacra has been a major presence in the Miami Design District, an 18-block area that is now gaining a reputation as the center of the interior designing industry. Not that he has abandoned Miami Beach. Robins is redeveloping Aqua, an 8.5-acre conversion of the former St. Francis Hospital on Allison Island.

Recently Robins announced a $120 million expansion of the Design District including a new street, a new plaza, five new mixed-use buildings and "experimental residential housing," as described by a press release.

Alan Waserstein

A veteran of the real estate industry for the past 18 years, Alan Waserstein builds, renovates and then operates his commercial properties. Waserstein invests in up-and-coming areas. His first ventures began in the Normandy Isle, Miami Beach area where he purchased dilapidated buildings at rock bottom prices. Waserstein's firms own a majority of all the commercial space available in the Normandy Isle corridor. Waserstein was also among the first to invest in Ocean Terrace. It was there he developed the St. Tropez, a 28-story condominium.

Today, Waserstein is currently converting an existing 17-unit mixed-use building on 71st Street and is in the planning stages of two 24-unit condominium buildings on South Shore Drive, a 20-unit townhouse development in North Miami near the Biscayne Landing, and a 115-unit residential condo in Hallandale. Waserstein's projects have also included acquiring warehouses and converting them to office buildings in the Miami Lakes area and developing "build to suit" commercial retail buildings for Family Dollar Stores (a Fortune 500 company listed on the NYSE).

Melanie Muss

When Melanie Muss was appointed to head up development for the Fontainebleau Hilton Resort in 1999, she initiated a comprehensive renovation and expansion plan that positions Miami's most famous landmark hotel to continue prospering well into the 21st Century.

The expansion focal point is on the Fontainebleau II and Fontainebleau III Ocean Club condominium-hotel projects being developed in partnership with Turnberry Associates at the south end of the resort's 18-acre property. The 36-story Fontainebleau II is sold out and will open early next year in conjunction with the resort's 50th anniversary. Sales began in May for the 18-story Fontainebleau III and groundbreaking is scheduled for early next year.

"The Fontainebleau resort put Miami Beach on the map in the 1950s and 60s," Muss said. "These projects will enable us to continue playing a dominant role in South Florida and throughout the world."

Prior to working for the Fontainebleau, Muss was a marketing manager for the Estee Lauder Companies, Inc. in New York. She serves on the board of the Bass Museum of Art, the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (VCA,) and the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Dan Adache, John Yanopoulos, Joseph Cook, Jerrold Krystoff

Even financial companies based in Trinidad are seeking to invest in South Florida projects. Chaired by Lawrence Duprey, C L Financial Limited is a powerful financial holding company with stakes in insurance, banking, media, medical services, forestry and... real estate. As such, C L Financial has real estate stakes in Barbados and throughout the Eastern Caribbean.

C L's interests in Florida are overseen by the Colonial Development Group. Among its projects: Infinity at Brickell, a 52-story high-rise condo and office building right in the center of Miami and W Fort Lauderdale Hotel and Residences, consisting of two 23-story towers containing 346 hotel rooms and 171 luxury resort condos. Also in Ft. Lauderdale is the luxury high-rise Europa-by-the-Sea and the mixed-use Plazzo Las Olas project.

Those leading the development team include Daniel E. Adache (president), an architect with 35 years experience in domestic and international real estate projects; John J. Yanopoulos (senior vice president and chief operating officer), who has a 20 year real estate development and finance background; Joseph R. Cook, (chief executive officer) armed with 25 years of experience in real estate development and finance; and Jerrold R. Krystoff (executive vice president), a 25 year real estate investment and development veteran.

Also part of the management team: John C. Deinhardt (senior vice president and chief construction officer) with 27 years experience in construction, architecture and real estate development and Laurie Misner (chief financial officer) with 20 years accounting and finance experience.

Henry and Peter Torres

Astor Development Group was founded by a Cuban-American father and son team that used to own a food distribution business known as Empire Seafood. After the sale of Empire Seafood to Performance Food Groups, Henry Torres and his son Peter started the development company that would bring about the future projects known as Brickell Vista on 8th Street, Gateway to the Grove on 27th Avenue, and Nordica on 3rd Ave. Peter Torres, who admits to having a fascination with skyscrapers since he was a kid, said his projects will cater to the urban worker by providing central, commuter-friendly locations, magnificent amenities, and impeccable architectural designs.

Fernando Levy Hara, Marcelo Borodowski and Avi Weintraub

Condo fever has struck Aventura.

Okay, in the traditional sense, this was true decades ago when the Northeast Dade municipality was first founded. But now the condo trend comes in the form of an office building known as One Aventura Executive Office where companies can buy space within the 200,000 square foot, 10-story, Class-A structure. One Aventura Executive Office is the result of a partnership between G&D Developers and The Weintraub Companies.

G&D Developers is a partnership between Argentine architects Fernando Levy Hara and Marcelo Borodowski. In conjunction with fellow partner Daniel Mintzer , G&D Developers constructed two million square feet of residential buildings, office complexes, shopping centers, movie theatres and TV studios since 1984. When G&D Developers arrived in Miami, the company commenced development of Bayview Lofts and Regatta in North Beach.

The Weintraub Companies is a development, construction and property management company with more than 30 years experience in the South Florida market. Since their inception in 1963, they have constructed retail centers, office complexes, warehouse facilities, school buildings, hotel renovations, condominium residences and single residences in Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Currently lead by Avi Weintraub, Weintraub construction is building Breeze Condominium in North Bay Village, Carrol Walk in Bay Harbor Islands, Alliage Condominium in Miami Beach and Beach House Bal Harbour Hotel in Surfside.

Michael Bauman

Invest in real estate.

That is the message of BCOM, Inc., a Brickell-based firm that seeks to prove that land is a far safer investment than stocks and bonds. And what better way to prove such a business philosophy than by developing a project in your company's own city. Hence the 1800 Club, a luxury condominium built on the very spot of the popular bar/restaurant with the same name. 1800 Club won't serve beer and chicken wings, but 469 residences priced between $200,000 and $2 million.

Spearheading the effort is Michael Bauman, chair and CEO of BCOM, a man with extensive experience in construction, finance, development and acquisitions who serves as general counsel for AUSA and Keyes Real Estate. Bauman is also famous for being the previous owner of the Miami Circle. Intending to build a residential building, Bauman paid $8 million for what would later become an archeological site. County and state sources paid Bauman $26 million to preserve the ancient Tequesta Indian ground.

Thomas Fawell and Mark Rousso

The partners who seek to develop Star Lofts, a 23-story condo tower fronting the bay in Miami, have made a career of sensing opportunity. The two partners featured here both have something else in common: they are real estate lawyers.

Thomas Fawell was a partner at the Chicago firm of Katten, Muchin and Zavis. He resigned in 1991 so he could help acquire a troubled credit card company for $106 million. Two years later, with Fawell as the chair of the group, he sold the company. In 1998, Fawell founded Agincourt Companies which developed a 50,000 square foot industrial building, is currently building a 20-acre retail project, and has started construction of the Tower Station Project - all in the Greater Chicago area. In Florida, Fawell bought the Jockey Club from Stephanie Herman. Following the purchase he invited Herman to become a co-developer of Star Lofts and his development company.

Mark Rousso is still a managing partner for the law firm of Roth, Rousso and Katsman. Among his clients: Lauris Boulanger, president of a general contracting firm. Along with Boulanger, Rousso jumped into the development and real estate investment business in 1997, just when the boom was beginning in Sunny Isles. It was in that city that the team of Boulanger-Rousso developed the Golden Bay Club and Marina Bay Club. Across the bay, the pair developed Harbour Center, a class-A office building with 220,000 square feet of office space.

Dana and Gary Shear

It is a world away from the residential window-washing business Gary Shear created when he was in college. Gary Shear and his wife and partner Dana are celebrating the 20-year anniversary of Shear Construction and Development. Started in 1984 by Gary Shear, the company has since gained a reputation as a builder of luxury homes all over South Florida, including in exclusive enclaves such as Cocoplum, Tahiti Beach, Gables Estates, Journey's End and Old Cutler Bay.

"We pride ourselves on building the best, so we have to make sure that these homes are the talk of not just of the scene, but of the style icons and celebrities that recognize the hard work and dedication to exceed expectation," Gary Shear said.

And that pride has earned Shear Construction and Development the reputation of building the highest quality multi-million dollar homes, appreciated by brokers and clients alike. Among their more prestigious developments: Coral Gables Estates, constructed between 1994 and 1998. The homes originally sold for between $750,000 and $3 million. Their value has appreciated since, Gary Shear said. "If you look at re-sales you'll find that homes we built consistently re-sell higher than any other homes in the area. Realtors tell us that buyers look for homes built by us because they've seen the degree of quality we build into every one of them."

The Shears are currently engaged in the restoration of a historical Art Deco building in South Beach.

The Lowenstein Family

The Lowenstein family business interests originated in Argentina in the late 1930s after Luis Lowenstein relocated from Frankfurt, Germany prior to the beginning of World War II. The family was exclusively involved in beef and horsemeat production and was one of the largest beef exporters in the world.

Then in the mid-1960s the family began to diversify its holdings with investments in South Florida real estate. Acquisitions included hotels, apartment buildings, commercial/retail and office properties. During the 1970s and '80s, Alfredo Lowenstein, Luis's son, ventured into new business pursuits which included food service, communications and building upon the family's real estate holdings in both Argentina and the United States. His son, Diego Lowenstein, entered the family business in the early 1990s.

In 1998, the family made a strategic decision to divest all of its Argentine assets. A year later, Lionstone Hotels & Resorts was formed to consolidate and act as a marketing umbrella for the family's real estate endeavors in the United States and the Caribbean.

Today, the Lowenstein family continues commercial, residential and hospitality development under its new name, the Lionstone Group. The company's most recent project is the $200 million transformation of Miami's historic DiLido Beach Hotel into a completely restored oceanfront Art Moderne landmark hotel under the celebrated Ritz-Carlton flag.

Sheldon Pearce

Restless Restoration and Development is led by Sheldon Pearce, a New Yorker with a coastal predisposition. Pearce, who has restored properties in the New York area built as far back as the 1850's, looks to renovate rather than build.

His strategy is to give buyers the same level of luxury treatments as the multi-million dollar apartments, in architecturally distinctive buildings at affordable prices.

Waterclub, located at 3915-3917 Meridian Avenue, is the company's first conversion on Miami Beach and units are slated to be ready in early 2005. Restless likes small projects that have historical significance. "This is a beautiful city and I'm happy to take part in restoring some of the more beautiful original structures within it," he said. "If I can keep delivering luxurious living environments for under $400 per square foot, 1/2 the cost of some of the pricier units in town, then I know our sales will continue to be strong."

Alan Lieberman

Since 1988 Alan Lieberman has been investing in the South Beach area. By 1997 the Philadelphia native began to switch from his previous taste, apartment buildings, toward Art Deco hotels. He now operates or owns six: The Shelley, The Lily Leon, The Whitelaw, The Chesterfield, The Mercury and the Hotel Chelsea.

But Lieberman doesn't just buy property... he also invests in it. He and his partners have designed and built ultra-luxurious contemporary homes valued at about $10 million each and 14,000 square feet in size, according to his bio. His latest endeavor is The Montclair, designed by architect Chad Oppenheim, featuring 41 New York-style lofts.

Kenneth Baboun

Kenneth Baboun is the president of the Miami-based chapter of the BBB Group, the company that is now developing 1390 Brickell Bay and, according to the website, has aspirations to construct other projects in Miami. To quote directly: "The BBB Group, a successful, dynamic firm destined to become one of the main driving forces behind the new Miami." The BBB group also has offices throughout the United States and Latin America.

Estimated at $150 million in value, 75 percent of the 364 loft style residences are already sold. The 39-story tower also includes a five-star restaurant, two pools and a gym.

Evelio Toledo, Albert Gonzalez, and Daniel Keil

Three partners make up Sammar Developers: Alberto Gonzalez, an architect for the last 25 years who has designed over 500,000 square feet of development; Evelio Toledo, a businessman for thirty years who made the switch from the automotive/truck industry into real estate; and Daniel Keil, a lawyer for the last 30 years who also acts as the legal counsel for Sammar.

Sammar is currently developing the Colonnade at Miami Lakes, an office condo project set for occupancy in January 2005. Also on the development list: The Palms, a residential condo project in the Biscayne Boulevard corridor that is also set for completion in early 2005. The latest project is the Nalani, an architectural gem now being developed in the Miami Design District/Edgewater area. Work is set to commence in early 2005 with completion slated for the Spring of 2006. Additional Sammar projects are in the developmental and design stages.

Greg Altshuler

Greg Altshuler is the point man of an Israeli investment and development firm. As such he is the face for Axis at Brickell Village, a twin 40-story development designed by Arquitectonica which will include about 20,000 square feet of retail. "We see Brickell as full of existing amenities and proximity to centers of employment," Altshuler told Miami Today in an October article as the logic for the company spending $200 million last June to obtain the site for Axis. "Our ultimate goal is to create housing for the Brickell area."

Altshuler is a partner with Brack Capital Real Estate, which has projects underway in New York, London, Budapest and China, according to Miami Today. In the past 10 years, BCRE has been a principal in over $3 billion in investments in the United State and Britain and has handled $4 billion in transactions.

Oscar and Eduardo Darer

Darer Group is led by the father and son team of Oscar and Eduardo Darer. Oscar Darer has more than 40 years of experience developing scores of condominium and apartment buildings throughout Venezuela. Eduardo Darer, an architect who graduated from Universidad Simon Bolviar in Caracas and later acquired a master's degree of architecture in urban design from Harvard University, joined his father 15 years ago in the family business. Together they have designed, developed, built, and sold more then 6,000 residential units, plus retail stores, warehouses and offices in Venezuela.

Now the Darers call South Florida home and have embarked on their first two projects: Prisma Lofts on the Bay in North Bay Village and Nine 45 Jefferson City Homes in South Beach, designed by Kobi Karp, Sarita Darer (Oscar's wife and Eduardo's mother) and Eduardo himself.

Yosi Gil

As executive vice president and partner of J. Milton & Associates, Yosi Gil serves as the lead principal for all new developments. In this role, he works with Joe Milton, the company's president, determining the feasibility of future acquisitions, seeking out new development opportunities in prime locations, researching market conditions and developing a financial strategy that ensures company profitability. He also designs relevant marketing campaigns and oversees the sales force of each development.

Gill is currently involved in implementing strategic planning for the company's newest Sunny Isles Beach residential properties: Sayan and King David. To achieve his trademark record sellouts, Gil relies on a broad network of established global connections; currently he maintains relationships with hundreds of representative brokerage firms worldwide.

After graduating from Tel Aviv University with a degree in marketing, Gil set off for the United States to fulfill his dream of becoming a real estate professional. Gil moved to Los Angeles in 1987 to join Crescent Heights, the nation's largest condominium converter, where he quickly rose in the ranks, becoming directly responsible for all of the company's marketing, advertising, and in-house financing. As a result of his comprehensive efforts, Gil marketed and sold 1,200 oceanfront condominiums, representing a sellout value of $150 million from 1989 to 1991. He moved to Miami in 1991, and was recruited by Pacific International Equities to serve as sales and marketing director for several high-profile developments. At Sunset Harbour and The Courts at South Beach, he was responsible for over $300 million in sales.

Gil joined J. Milton and Associates in 1998 as executive vice president and principal for the Pinnacle, a 246-unit luxury high-rise on the ocean in Sunny Isles Beach. Under his direction, the project achieved a sellout of over $140 million.

Robert Heimann

Robert Heimann was born in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1940. He journeyed to Wantagh in Long Island, New York and, after high school, attended the University of Miami where he earned a law degree specializing in real estate. That knowledge enabled him to invest in New York City commercial properties in 1982.

Five years later, Heimann discovered South Beach - a place still very much in transition. He owned the Delano Hotel before its restoration and sale to party guy Ian Schrager. By the 1990s, Heimann owned over 700 units on Pennsylvania, Michigan and Collins Avenues.

Now Heimann is investing in another area in transition: North Beach. He is the developer of a future low-rise community known as Twin Islands at Normandy Isle

Agustin Herran

Altos del Mar is a unique little piece of North Beach. Aside from Golden Beach, it's the only place you'll find single-family beachfront homes and now that 12 vacant lots have been purchased by the General Real Estate Corporation (GREC), that area of North Beach will soon change form once again.

"We are going to redevelop the entire neighborhood," said Juan Carlos Tocas, the project manager of Altos Del Mar, Ltd., a subsidiary of GREC. "There will be new roads, new walls and new infrastructure."

Based in Miami, GREC has built shopping centers, developed single family neighborhoods, renovated office buildings and converted apartment buildings into condominiums. Projects to GREC's credit include Island Place at North Bay Village, Aquasol in Miami Beach, Villaggio In The Grove, Island Place at Bay Harbor, Coral Reef Shopping Center, Sunset Park Plaza, etc., etc.

At the helm of GREC is Agustin Herran. But besides overseeing office and condo developments all over Miami-Dade, Herran is also the director of U.S. Century Bank, a general partner for Quantum Developments (which built 574 single family homes along Coral Way), the president of Tire Group International (an international tire wholesaler) and he is charge of building Sedano's Supermarkets in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.