Now that the summer season is fully upon us and it appears we are collectively turning the page, slowly but surely, to what is seemingly closer to "normal life," the thought of summer getaways came to mind. Haute Design decided to ask what some of our design experts consider to be the ideal summer getaway in terms of design inspiration.

Haute Design:Which summer getaway destination provides you with inspiration the most around this time of year? Why?

Hafsa Burt of hb+a Architects, San Francisco, CA: I am always looking for places to travel and discover. I love to interact with locals and delve into a different culture. I have had two recent trips that were phenomenal. One was an escape to Spain which began in the Basque Country and stretched all the way to Granada and Cordoba.

Soon after, I read Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises and felt like he was on the trip with me in Pamplona.

That journey continued into a very thrilling road trip in Morocco, from Marrakesh to Casablanca. The food, colors, culture and history all lend themselves to a perfect cerebral escape.

Another trip that comes to mind happened a year later. I traveled to Jordan where some of the highlights were camping in the desert with Bedouins and hiking in Petra and Wadi Mujib. Jordan is an adventure-filled country and should be on everyone's bucket list.

We also managed to spend a couple of days in and around Jerusalem, absorbing the sights and sounds. I love walking through historically and culturally different places and intellectually indulge so I leave with a billion sensory images in my memory. If it inadvertently shows up in my work, all the better.

Laila Colvin of 2id Interiors, Miami, FL: I actually have my tickets purchased and will be leaving soon! I am going to Portugal for a family reunion.

I think I have two travel obsessions: Europe and Japan.

However, if it's related to design, I believe Europe is the place to go. There is just so much to see and so much art all around, it doesn't matter what country you visit, you will leave with design inspirations.

The last trip which truly inspired me was a family trip to England and Ireland. It was amazing. The year before that was Japan. But I feel like I will always go back to Europe at least once a year because it's just never enough.

However, Rafaela and I are from Brazil and we always talk about how design in Brazil is so rich and yet, it is not well-known. Because Brazilians are so quick to turn to Italian furniture and Italian design, but in our opinion, Brazilian designers, Brazilan architects, and Brazilian furniture are way beyond anything else we know. So every time we go back home to Brazil, it is unbelievable. We are always sending videos and photos to the team, and to each other. We’ll go to a restaurant, we’ll go to the mall, anywhere we go, it is out of this world.

Chasity Centeno of Riese Design, Long Island ,NY: Riese Design is inspired by the summer tropical feel with different prints, colors and textures. We love the mixture of soft textures with organic wood elements for summer when conceptualizing a design for our clients!

Who doesn't love a fun, colorful wallpaper, beautiful outdoor sets and textured walls for either interiors or exteriors?

We especially like to take inspiration from Cabo when doing design concepts for bathrooms. It's the best room to implement bold colors and accents. Cabo's inspiration comes from the beautiful beaches, history and foliage, along with an array of plants, which brings such an elegant blend of traditional and modern design.

To learn more about our adventurous design experts, visit their websites below.

CLICK HERE to visit the hb+a Architects website.

CLICK HERE to visit 2id Interiors' website.

CLICK HERE to visit Riese Design's website.

The post Haute Design Experts Weigh In On The Best Summer Getaways For Design Inspiration appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Blue Zone Realty International

“The difference between a good company and a great company is the drive and passion that each member of the team has for the industry," says Tim Fenton, President of Blue Zone Realty International. "This award is a credit to each of our real estate professionals and our extraordinary support staff. I am humbled by the dedication that they have for their clients, and by the passion that they have for real estate.”

The USA & Americas Property Awards, now in their 27th year covering over 45 different residential and commercial categories, are decided by an independent panel of 80 industry experts, focusing on design, quality, service, innovation, originality, and commitment to sustainability. The panel is headed by Lord Caithness, Lord Best, and Lord Waverley, members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament.

Photo Credit: Blue Zone Realty International

The Awards are spread throughout Arabia, Europe, Africa, Canada, Central & South America, the Caribbean, USA, UK and Asia Pacific, with "heats" staged for each region. The top winners per region are then entered in the international award nominations, culminating in the announcement of the International and World's Best winners.

The post Blue Zone Realty International Wins Costa Rica Real Estate Award For Second Consecutive Year appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

First, broadcasting live from the Aston Martin Residences sales center, Haute Living’s Deyvanshi Masrani started "Kitchen Encounters" by hosting a panel with three of Miami’s top design and architecture experts Katie Gutierrez, Natalia Neverko, and Sandra Diaz-Velasco, each of them providing tips on the best ways to make use of one’s kitchen, as well as what makes the design of the Aston Martin Residences Kitchen special. Mariana Lima, in-house Broker Associate at Aston Martin Residences, also joined the panel, with an Aston Martin Vulcan behind her. The car, valued at $3.2 million, will be a gift for the buyer of the triple penthouse at Aston Martin Residences. 

Watch the webinar below

Immediately after, Gavin Rossdale, international rock star as the frontman of the British group Bush and cooking aficionado, shared a live cooking demonstration, hosted by Haute Living’s Laura Schreffler. Bush recently released their latest album, The Kingdom, on which Rossdale told a few stories of how it came together and streamed performances the band has done this year. During his live demonstration, he said, "If you put love, care, and attention to every ingredient, you really elevate it." Click here to watch and read more about his performance during “Kitchen Encounters."

Highlight quotes from the panelists:

Katie Gutierrez: "A home is put to the test in terms of functionality, storage, usability and layout in kitchens and bathrooms. The Aston Martin Residences kitchen is a great model of what it would look like to have everything working and look beautiful at the same time."

Natalia Neverko: “I absolutely love the design of the Aston Martin Residences kitchen. The way it's designed, its color combination, the white and gray, is my favorite. It’s done with the latest technologies so there’s no question about it. I love the minimalistic look."

Mariana Lima: "Aston Martin Residences is eight minutes walking from Brickell City Centre, two minutes from Whole Foods and Zuma. You have the whole lifestyle around you, but also the peace of the water, overlooking Key Biscayne. It's really the most connected area in town."

Sandra Diaz-Velasco: "This [building] is a testament to the Aston Martin brand. The kitchen is the heart of the home, but everything has to be related to the architecture. I like how it integrates the interior and exterior; that's what a dwelling has to have."

For more on Aston Martin Residences, visit https://astonmartinresidences.com/.

The post “Kitchen Encounters” With Aston Martin Residences, Highlighting Design And Culinary Features appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Enrique Norten, Shahab Karmely and Edgardo Defortuna, industry leaders in design, development, and marketing of fine living, were hosted by Haute Living's Seth Semilof and April Donelson, going deep into detail about the 38-story glass tower located in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Watch the webinar below

Tune in for our upcoming webinar.

Thursday, May 14th at 3PM EST/12PM PST

Our “Coast to Coast” real estate webinars featuring top agents from around the country continue with experts Jeff Chertow (Malibu, CA), Vicki Gaily (Bergen County, NJ), and Joel Schemmel (Sarasota, FL). REGISTER.

About the leaders behind 2000 Ocean:

Enrique Norten: He helms the formidable design team behind 2000 Ocean, alongside lead architect and partner, Andrea Steele. Founded by Norten, TEN Arquitectos boasts a portfolio of more than 60 landmark museums, libraries, public parks, resi­dences, hotels, and universities in cities around the globe, each designed to improve urban living.

Edgardo Defortuna: President, CEO and Founder of Fortune International Group, a Miami-based full-service real estate firm recognized throughout South Florida, Latin America and Europe as a leader in high-end luxury real estate. He oversees all of the company’s activities across all of its business units. Mr. Defortuna brings 30+ years of experience in the real estate industry and is considered a visionary and a driving force in South Florida real estate.

Shahab Karmely: As the founder of KAR Properties LLC, and through KAR and/or its affiliates, Mr. Shahab Karmely has acquired, repositioned, and monetized over 3 million square feet of office, luxury mixed-use, and industrial space in the US, Southeast Asia, and Europe. With offices in New York and Miami, KAR currently oversees the management of a core portfolio of assets and a development pipeline in excess of 5 million square feet.

Top left: Enrique Norten, top right: Edgardo Defortuna, bottom: Shahab Karmely

Highlight quotes:

Enrique Norten: "The beauty or one of the big assets of this project is the team. Shahab and Edgardo, what both of them have is a tremendous appreciation and love for good architecture; and a good process of construction; good use of materials and details. They understand the tectonic process of architecture. That is what makes this project quite unique and very special... Working with people that know and appreciate good architecture is very unique... When you buy an apartment, you not only buy the squared feet inside the glass. You are really buying everything that the project offers you...  Every one of our projects is like a child to us. You love them all, and you hate them all, for different reasons. They are part of your family and, at the end, they are part of your legacy."

Shahab Karmely: "The ultimate expression of success in development is when people feel like you have given them a new home. They walk in and say, 'I am home, this is where I want to be'... One of the significant changes in the coming-to-age of Miami over the last 7-10 years is that it has significantly broadened to include the entire world, and is taking it as a place to not only visit but to invest. Miami is on par with any city in the world...Because of the surrounding low-rise buildings, I saw that we had a unique circumstance where you have not only unobstructed views to the ocean to the east and west but also north and south... I wanted somebody with a unique vision (to design the building). The collaboration (with Enrique) has been wonderful... Healthy living is part of luxury living...  This building has a story. Enrique has created a journey within this building that moves through the spaces. Transition through space is much more human if you can tell a story... Life has one constant: change."

Edgardo Defortuna: "It is hard today to find a site that is empty and has the ability to build a building of these characteristics. Hallandale is positioned very well. It's a very residential neighborhood but it's 10 minutes away from Aventura, 15-20 minutes away from Bal Harbour. If you want the activities of South Beach, you have it in very close proximity... (On benefits of partnering with Norten and Karmely) We love great design, attention to detail, and understand what the customer is looking for, so it's important that the architect and developer put their stamp to it. The ability to design in a way to be in contact with nature, see the ocean, and being able to see the city views and be in contact with the overall life of Miami is very attractive... People can understand everything that we are selling by the virtual tours. The process of selling has been seamless, and in some cases even more active than before we had the lockdown... The Latin American buyer is still there, but the big, strong market is coming from the US and our Canadian friends from the north."

To watch more real estate webinars by Haute Residence, visit dev.hauteresidence.com.

The post Watch: Webinar With Luxury Development 2000 Ocean Creators Enrique Norten, Shahab Karmely And Edgardo Defortuna appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Aston Martin Residences

Two of the finest manufacturers of kitchen appliances and cabinetry were selected to accompany the residences. The latest Gaggenau appliances and Bulthaup cabinets will be part of each unit’s kitchen, allowing residents to enjoy the cooking process with family and friends in style, while admiring panoramic views of Biscayne Bay, the Miami River, and South Florida’s signature skyline.

“The Aston Martin Residences Kitchen further harnesses the expression of Aston Martin’s design DNA and architectural excellence,” said German Coto, CEO of G&G Business Developments. “Gastronomy will play an important part of the family living experience at Aston Martin Residences, whereby the kitchen often forms the soul of the home for loved ones and friends who come together socially and culturally to share their passion for food. A shrouding of radiance, purity and warmth ensures the kitchen environment is both intimate and inviting for both casual cooks and the most seasoned gourmand, who can enjoy today’s top-of-the-line appliances and amenities with relaxing confidence. The Aston Martin Residences Kitchen pays homage to the Art of Living and our commitment to its indelible imprint on impeccable design.”

The white cabinets will reflect the natural light pouring through the floor to ceiling windows, aided by the White Thassos marble floors imported from Greece. The granite island countertop is enclosed in white wood and contrasts perfectly against the cabinets and floor. The large stovetop cooking area includes a state-of-the-art Burner Induction Cooktop and vent. And the chrome oven and spacious wine cooler fridge appliances match with the metal tap faucet and large sink built-in to the stone island.

The design of the Aston Martin Residences Kitchen brings together a balance between the tropical South Florida outdoor climate and the warm indoor kitchen space.

Upon completion, scheduled for 2022, Aston Martin Residences will be a standing manifestation of the Art of Living philosophy, driving the brand from the roads of Great Britain to Biscayne Boulevard.

For more on Aston Martin Residences, visit https://astonmartinresidences.com/.

The post Kitchen Design At Aston Martin Residences Features Leading Brands appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Watch the full video below

As the #1 selling real estate broker in North America for an unprecedented eight times, Dolly Lenz is responsible for achievements such as the sale of the Setai development site at 400 Fifth Avenue for over $200 million. She set a record for the highest downtown condominium sale of the One Madison penthouse for $57,350,000, representing Rupert Murdoch in the purchase; and many more. Her numerous accolades continuously place her at the top of the real estate industry in New York and the United States.

Jenny Lenz joined her mother at Dolly Lenz Real Estate and has since become the company's Managing Partner. Her passion for the business started at an early age as she was exposed to some of the most breathtaking properties in the world, accompanying her mother on business trips to Europe and Asia. Today, she is looking to continue in Dolly’s pursuit of taking on and dominating the NY and international real estate market. She has also fulfilled numerous speaking engagements at real estate conferences throughout the U.S and Australia.

The webinar was hosted by Haute Living Senior Vice President April Donelson, who asked the mother/daughter combo questions that included several from the live webinar audience.

On the use of technology for showings, Jenny said, "We've used technology in the past. It gets better every year, but we don't see that replacing in-home tours. We have amazing drone footage, which is a new thing, but it's not a differentiator." Dolly added, "It is almost impossible to sell something off a virtual tour, but it can help. We find that photography is often much better than anything else in reflecting a property."

Donelson asked Dolly for her advice to the younger generation of real estate agents coming up. "Stay the course," she said. "Know your data. Really get into the details of information. The only way you can get credit with any buyer is if you know the details."

Jenny added, "We all have time now to learn every new development. Everything is online. If a client knows something you don't, that's bad."

They are optimistic about the near future of the real estate industry. "We are fortunate to be in this business that can come back on a short term basis," said Dolly.

Jenny Lenz, Dolly Lenz

The post New York Real Estate In Quarantine: Watch Webinar With Experts Dolly Lenz And Jenny Lenz appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Haute Living's Seth Semilof introduced Cheryl Casone, who joined FOX Business Network (FBN) as an anchor in September 2007 and currently serves as the co-anchor of FBN:AM, which airs weekdays at 5 AM/EST. Casone is also a financial contributor on FOX News Channel (FNC) where she provides economic reports. Casone served as the host of the dynamic dialogue that included questions submitted by viewers. 

Semilof continued by welcoming the panelists for today's webinar:

• Louis Birdman, co-developer of One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects. As Principal at BRD/Birdman Real Estate Development, has overseen the development of more than 18,000 residential units and 1,000 hotel keys valued at more than $5 billion.
• Edgardo Defortuna, Founder and CEO of Fortune International Group, who brings over 30 of experience in the real estate industry; a visionary and driving force in South Florida’s landscape.
• Jules Trump, developer of The Estates at Acqualina, the $1.8 billion ultra-luxury development in Sunny Isles Beach, FL.
• Michael Stern, Founder & CEO of JDS Development, an innovative real estate development, construction, and acquisition firm responsible for the creation of numerous residential, hospitality, and mixed-use projects in New York City and Miami.

Watch the full video below

Casone took over and engaged the panelists in an hour-long conversation that encompassed multiple real estate markets. They gave their thoughts on the best ways for real estate agents, brokers, developers, and the industry overall to deal with the effect that COVID-19 has had on business and the rest of the year.

"There have been many changes in the way we are all doing business," said Birdman. "Real estate is a face-to-face business, but that has changed with this outbreak. People still need to move, have leases coming up and other circumstances, so properties continue to get shown in different ways to ensure the safety of sellers, buyers and people working at properties."

Stern spoke on New York's state of real estate affairs since the Big Apple became the center of the Coronavirus pandemic in the US. "For New York, we closed our office three and a half weeks ago, completely working remotely except for construction," he said. Then, he continued to compare his company's activity in South Florida with New York. "In Miami, we have not seen much of a drop in manpower in construction. For the most part, we are doing construction in Florida and largely stopped in New York."

The construction of The Estates at Acqualina has continued while adapting to today's standards of social distancing and higher use of technology for marketing. "We are able to continue with the construction, but taking care of our workers," said Trump. He continued, "We are making great use of technology to share communications to tell the story of The Estates at Acqualina. We are in constant communication with our customers today, even more so than prior."

Casone asked Defortuna about the quick learning curve for the entire industry on how to conduct business from a distance. "Especially on the luxury side of the market, nobody needs to buy a second or third home," he said. "They buy it because they love it. From the marketing point of view, we have specialized in marketing to the entire world, providing tools to brokers to promote our projects in Latin America, Europe, and worldwide. Presentations of this type are happening all over the world. My brokers are saying they are busier now than before when they were doing presentations one-on-one."

Today's webinar followed on yesterday's session that featured Daniel de la Vega, President of ONE Sotheby's International Realty.

Top left: Edgardo Defortuna; top right: Jules Trump; bottom left Louis Birdman; bottom right, Michael Stern; center: Cheryl Casone

The post Watch: Louis Birdman, Edgardo Defortuna, Jules Trump And Michael Stern Join Haute Residence For Live Webinar appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Aston Martin Residences

Chef Brown did a live demonstration of fine cooking in the Aston Martin Residences Kitchen, featuring Gaggenau appliances and Bulthaup cabinets, for everyone in attendance. The design of the Aston Martin Residences Kitchen by Marek Reichman, EVP and Chief Creative Officer at Aston Martin, brings together a balance between the tropical South Florida outdoor climate and the warm indoor kitchen space. 

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

"The equipment is fantastic," said Chef Brown, as he began the demonstration. He prepared and served dishes including Fresh Salmon Confit with Garden Herb Salad (the appetizer at Prince William’s wedding), 10-Hour Slow Roasted Pork Belly (the main course at Prince Harry’s wedding), and Sticky Toffee Pudding with Clotted Cream (a favorite of Her Majesty The Queen). The classic Miami sunshine lighted the Downtown Miami sales gallery of the British carmaker's branded luxury tower.

Jesse Ottley, Sheila Rosario Davey, Alejandro Aljanati, Claudia del Toro, Christopher Davey

 Photo Credit: World Red Eye

“The Aston Martin Residences Kitchen further harnesses the expression of Aston Martin’s design DNA and architectural excellence,” said German Coto, CEO of G&G Business Developments. “Gastronomy will play an important part of the family living experience at Aston Martin Residences, whereby the kitchen often forms the soul of the home for loved ones and friends who come together socially and culturally to share their passion for food. A shrouding of radiance, purity and warmth ensures the kitchen environment is both intimate and inviting for both casual cooks and the most seasoned gourmand, who can enjoy today’s top-of-the-line appliances and amenities with relaxing confidence. The Aston Martin Residences Kitchen pays homage to the Art of Living and our commitment to its indelible imprint of impeccable design.”

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Chef Brown moved to Miami less than two months ago, after spending over 15 years in some of the UK and Europe's best restaurants, where he worked with culinary icons like Jamie Oliver and Robert Clayton. He has started to infuse South Florida with contemporary and upscale English cooking, which he excels at and delighted the guests during the event.

Photo Credit: World Red Eye 

“I’m delighted to mark my debut in Miami by this most unique collaboration with Aston Martin Residences,” he said. “I chose a series of classic British meat and fish dishes that have been served and enjoyed as favorites of the royal family for generations. I pride myself on engaging the audience with a traditional culinary experience by cooking with authentic ingredients used in recipes taken from England’s southern counties, Victorian London and the Cotswolds region in particular, where the heritage of Britain’s royal family belongs. I also wanted to demonstrate the true character and essence of English culture and how you can really feel at home with your own comfortable style of cooking in the brilliance of an Aston Martin Residences Kitchen.”

For more on Aston Martin Residences, visit www.astonmartinresidences.com.

Patricia Montalvan, Mauricio Perez

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

Chef Justin Brown, Alejandro Aljanati, Maria Eugenia Alvarez Vitale, Daniel Arabia

Photo Credit: World Red Eye

The post Aston Martin Residences Kicks Off Wine & Food Week In Miami With Special Tasting By Award-Winning Chef Justin Brown appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Dezer Development

The event will be covered extensively by Fox Business Network and Anchor of FBN:AM, Cheryl Casone, who is taking her New York film crew to Miami's sandy beaches to interview some of the real estate industry's biggest names at the Summit.

The panelists will be part of this year's Summit at one of the grandest residential locations in all of South Florida, where they will dialogue, among other topics, about where their clients are moving from to Miami. Listen and learn from them by purchasing your ticket to the Summit HERE.

They are:

Maria Eugenia Alvarez Vitale, Head of Sales, G&G Business Developments

Photo Credit: G&G Business Developments

Maria Eugenia Alvarez Vitale is originally from Argentina, having spent half of her life in the United States, where she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree. She moved to Miami and immediately started working in real estate, one of her passions. In her role as a co-partner of a Miami real estate firm, Maria works on helping individual clients as well as institutional investors to acquire, sell, and lease properties in commercial and residential spaces. Throughout the years, she has developed a strong relationship with the top commercial, multifamily, and residential brokers, as well as a deep network of South Florida top real estate attorneys. Maria is passionate about keeping her clients' best interests at heart, focusing more on achieving long-term goals than on closing a specific transaction.

In her current role at G&G Business Developments, Maria is responsible for overseeing the sales operation of new real estate developments, with a specific focus on the Aston Martin Residences in Miami.

Jeff Miller, Director of Sales, Brown Harris Stevens

Photo Credit: Brown Harris Stevens

Jeff Miller, Director of Luxury Sales for Brown Harris Stevens, is an expert in high-end collectible properties located in Miami Beach and the surrounding areas.

Ranked consecutively by The Wall Street Journal as a leading agent nationwide, Jeff utilizes his 15 years of expertise to guide his clients through all aspects of luxury real estate acquisitions. With over $1 billion dollars in sales, industry know-how, and an extensive list of high-profile clientele, Jeff continues to deliver a tailored experience exceeding his client’s expectations.

When working with Jeff, clients feel confident navigating today’s market, and he has the numbers to prove it. Along with his national accolades, Jeff has also been ranked as the #1 Agent at Brown Harris Stevens | Miami continually since 2010. Leading the industry in multi-million-dollar real estate acquisitions, Jeff consistently leads his clients every step of the way.

Integrity, experience, professionalism, and evidence-backed results; Jeff Miller can help you accomplish your real estate goals today.

Lourdes Alatriste, Partner and Private Office Advisor, Engel & Völkers Miami

Photo Credit: Engel & Völkers Miami

Recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of the Top 250 Sales Agents in the USA, Lourdes Alatriste has over 25 years of experience in the Miami Premium Residential Market. In 2010 and 2011, Alatriste was the  Top Producer agent in Engel & Völkers Miami; in 2012, she was Top Producer nationwide; and in 2014, she won a President’s Circle status in the Elite Awards at Engel & Völkers, one of the most prestigious real estate firms worldwide, established in 1977. Throughout her career, Alatriste has cemented her success as a high-end luxury property specialist with unparalleled knowledge of the market. From 2009 to 2015, she was also the firm’s #1 Listing Broker. In each calendar year, she has surpassed her own sales records. Her relationships from Europe to the Hamptons and beyond are a product of her excellent reputation. She entered the Real Estate Title business in her early 20’s and had her own title company soon after for over 20 years.

On October 2nd, 2015, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty announced the appointment of Lourdes Alatriste as the new Executive Director of International Real Estate. Prior to her appointed title, Alatriste served as a Private Office advisor at Engel & Völkers’ in Coral Gables, Miami, where she sold an estimated $176 million in sales volume since 2009. In June 12, 2017, Alatriste returned to Engel & Völkers Miami as Partner and Private Office Advisor, bringing with her more than $76,000,000 million in listings.

Her outstanding professionalism and encyclopedic knowledge of Miami’s finest and exclusives neighborhoods like Miami Beach, Gables Estates, Coral Gables, Bal Harbour, Star Island and others, have proven to be tremendous assets in brokering in Miami. Alatriste has represented both sellers and buyers. Her clients have come to depend on her considerable expertise and market knowledge. They receive the highest level of personalized attention.

As Partner and Private Office Advisor at Engel & Völkers, Alatriste focuses on fostering and continually nurturing relationships with international clientele to expand the international reach and communications strategy while leveraging the strength of Engel & Völkers network, which spans more than 35 countries and territories worldwide with more than 16,500 associates.

Steve Solomon, Senior Director of Luxury Sales, Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Since becoming licensed in 1999, Steve Solomon has had many years of building successful client relationships. As a Broker Associate and Senior Director of Luxury Sales, he is an important member of the team at Douglas Elliman Real Estate. Steve’s impressive portfolio of completed transactions demonstrates that he is well-versed and experienced in all luxury offerings across South Florida.

In 2017, Steve was recognized as the #1 Douglas Elliman Agent in both Boca Raton and Delray Beach and is ranked #2 in the entire State of Florida.

A resident of the Boca Raton area since 1992, and an active member of the community that he calls home, Steve’s knowledge and access to the high-end Boca Real Estate market are unparalleled. A consistent top producer in the Boca Raton/Delray Beach markets, Steve lists and sells oceanfront estates and condos, waterfront luxury properties, single-family residences located in private country clubs and other gated enclaves. No doubt that he has the expertise and experience to help you in the purchase or sale of any luxury real estate.

Crista Ryan, President, Tina Fanjul Associates

Photo Credit: Tina Fanjul Associates

Crista Ryan is President of Tina Fanjul Associates. Tina Fanjul Associates is fortunate to be situated among the breathtaking beaches, golf, tennis, boating, fishing, polo, equestrian and endless opportunities for dining, shopping, culture, leisure and adventure that South Florida has to offer.

Tina Fanjul Associates has been providing exceptional real estate brokerage services for buyers and sellers in the Palm Beach area and surrounding communities from Miami to Hobe Sound since 1977 when first started by Tina Fanjul. Now led by Ryan, the firm includes 17 handpicked associates and provides comprehensive marketing, sales, and leasing services to its repeating clientele. Associates have expanded to Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, Hobe Sound, Manalapan, Gulfstream, Delray, Boca Raton, Miami and internationally to the Dominican Republic.

Sebastian Tettamanti, Senior Vice President, Dezer Development

Photo Credit: Dezer Development

Sebastian Tettamanti brings over 18 years of expertise to the real estate industry, having established an impressive resume selling South Florida’s most luxurious residential properties. Tettamanti’s success selling some of Miami’s finest addresses can be attributed to his industry niche focus on high-end residential real estate, combined with his insight into the culture of multi-faceted, global South Florida buyers.

Before joining Dezer Development, Tettamanti owned and operated his own real estate brokerage firm for 10 years where he personally sold over $350 million. In Trump Towers alone he sold over $62 million, which got him honored as the “Top-Producer” for the Dezer Development and Related Group project in collaboration with Donald Trump located in Sunny Isles Beach. On the heels of his tremendous sales success, Dezer Development hired Tettamanti full-time in January 2010 as Director of Sales and Project Manager for Trump Towers.

Having played an integral role in the sellout of Trump Towers, in 2013 Dezer Development named Tettamanti Senior Vice President of Development and Sales for the company. As Senior Vice President, he currently oversees a sales portfolio totaling over $2 billion and manages the in-house sales team. Tettamanti handles the sales and marketing for the recently completed Porsche Design Tower Miami, the luxury brand’s first venture into residential real estate.

Along with the extraordinary sales success of Porsche Design Tower Miami, Tettamanti is engaged with the sales and marketing of Residences by Armani/Casa, global fashion icon Giorgio Armani’s first residential real estate project in the U.S. The 56-story, oceanfront condominium project in Sunny Isles Beach is a partnership between Dezer Development and The Related Group.

Tettamanti additionally serves as the broker for Dezer Platinum Realty, a boutique real estate brokerage firm in Sunny Isles Beach with over 100 agents specializing in exclusive luxury condominium and single-family home sales throughout South Florida. With an impressive track record, Dezer Platinum Realty has closed $56 million in general real estate division sales for the first quarter of 2018 and has been responsible for the two most expensive penthouse sales to-date in Sunny Isles Beach.

He studied at the University of Florida where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree with Honors in marketing and economics and met his wife Maria Tettamanti, also known as The Wordy Girl--arguably one of Miami’s most renowned bloggers. Originally from Argentina, Tettamanti now resides in Miami, Florida with his wife and two children.

Christian Martinez, Regional President of Florida, Compass

Photo Credit: Compass

An experienced leader in digital/social strategy, monetization and media integration across both the US Multicultural and Latam markets, Christian Martinez is currently the Regional President of Florida for Compass, where he is tasked with overseeing all of the brokerage’s operations for the state.

Prior to Compass, Martinez spent six years at Facebook as the Country Director of Mexico, and prior to that as Head of US Multicultural; an effort which brought to market digital and social marketing scale to the US multicultural marketer. Prior to Facebook, Christian spent 13 years at Univision Communications where he was VP of Network TV and Interactive Sales for the Southeast and Southwest regions. In that role, he was responsible for leading the only integrated sales office in the country, in which he oversaw a team of network TV and digital sellers focused on providing clients a fully integrated, cross-platform approach. Martinez has led traditional, digital, programmatic, mobile and eCommerce efforts in the tech and media spaces. He is a graduate of the University of Florida where he received a BS in Business Administration. He resides with his wife and two children in Miami, FL

Full Schedule of Events at Haute Residence 2020 Luxury Miami Real Estate Summit:

11:00am – 11:30am: Welcome and Registration

11:45am – 1:15pm: Titans of Miami – “East Coast Kings”

Masters of the Miami skyline sound off on where they see the luxury market heading and its evolution.

Developer Panelists: Gil Dezer, Louis Birdman, Dan Kodsi, Shahab Karmely, Marcelo Kingston, Edgardo Defortuna, Ricardo Tabet, Eric Fordin

1:15pm – 1:30pm: Jumbo Loan King

Eric Fessler, expert entrepreneur, has over 30 years of mortgage banking experience closing over $10 billion. Fessler discusses the procurement of jumbo loans in single-family homes along with warranty and non-warranty new condominium developments on a nationwide scale.

1:30pm – 2:30pm: Lunch – Residences by Armani/Casa

Network with the greatest minds of development and brokerage in the luxury real estate market.

2:45pm – 3:45pm: International Power Brokers Panel

Top broker/agents from key international real estate meccas such as Miami Beach, Los Angeles, New York City and Cayman Islands sound off on the latest in market conditions and development.

Panelists: Dolly Lenz and Jenny Lenz (NYC), Mary Ann Osborn (LA), Richard Steinberg (NYC), Cody Vichinsky (NYC) Olivia Hsu Decker (San Francisco) Jay Parker (Miami), Ben Bacal (Hollywood Hills), Michael Goldstein (Miami), Sue Nickason (Cayman Islands)

4:00pm – 5:00pm: Miami Power Brokers

Top South Florida brokers share their knowledge on the evolution and direction of the luxury market today.

Panelists: Jill Eber, Maria Eugenia Alvarez Vitale, Jeff Miller, Lourdes Alatriste, Steve Solomon, Crista Ryan, Sebastian Tettamanti, Christian Martinez

5:00pm: Summit Closing Remarks

Photo Credit: Dezer Platinum Realty LLC

The post Miami Power Brokers At Haute Residence 2020 Luxury Real Estate Summit appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The event will be covered extensively by Fox Business Network and Anchor of FBN:AM, Cheryl Casone, who is taking her New York film crew to Miami's sandy beaches to interview some of the real estate industry's biggest names at the Summit.

The "Titans of Miami" panelists will start this year's Summit at one of the grandest residential locations in all of South Florida, where they will speak of the luxury real estate market and where they see it heading. Listen and learn from them by purchasing your ticket to the Summit HERE.

They are:

Gil Dezer, President, Dezer Development

Photo Credit: Dezer Development

An accomplished businessman and humanitarian, Gil Dezer is a visionary developer, and one of the largest oceanfront property owners in Sunny Isles Beach. Dezer and his father, Michael Dezer, own just over 27 acres of prime oceanfront property, arguably one of the largest holdings of beachfront property owned and developable in the state of Florida.

Dezer has been instrumental in changing the face and value of the South Florida residential real estate industry through the introduction of brand partnerships, connecting his developments with some of the world’s most recognized brand names.

In collaboration with real estate mogul and now-President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, Dezer led the Trump Organization’s first foray into the South Florida real estate market through the successful development of Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences and Trump Towers in Sunny Isles Beach.

Dezer Development received a $214 million construction loan from Wells Fargo in September 2013, at the time marking the largest loan for a single construction project in the Southeast in the post-recession era. The highly-anticipated Porsche Design Tower officially became a reality in the first quarter of 2017, marking the completion of the iconic tower.

Dezer leveraged this track record of success with marquee lifestyle brands to enter into an exclusive partnership with The Related Group and Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio to launch the world-renowned fashion and furnishings designer, Giorgio Armani’s, first residential tower in the U.S. real estate market, Residences by Armani/Casa. Designed by globally-acclaimed Argentine-born architect, César Pelli, the 56-story oceanfront tower features 308 luxurious residences and incomparable amenities spanning two floors, all exquisitely designed by Armani/Casa with rich textiles and custom furnishings.

Louis Birdman, Co-Developer, One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects

Photo Credit: Louis Birdman Architect

For nearly three decades, real estate industry veteran Louis Birdman has taken a leadership role in the development of over 70 residential projects, comprising more than 18,000 residential units nationwide.

Mr. Birdman has a significant background in property acquisitions, dispositions, entitlements, financing, planning, design, construction, sales, and marketing. Mr. Birdman has been a principal investor and developer in numerous real estate development projects throughout Florida and nationwide, including Las Vegas, Arizona, Colorado, and Texas.

He is also the founder and principal of Louis Birdman Architect, an architectural consulting practice that provides consulting services to developers of real estate in both related and unrelated entities. He has been a registered architect licensed in Florida since 1989 and has held architectural licenses in multiple jurisdictions in the United States, including Chicago, New York, and Nevada.

Mr. Birdman is the co-Developer of One Thousand Museum Residences by Zaha Hadid Architects, a 62-story condominium tower in Miami with 84 half-floor and full-floor residences. One Thousand Museum just completed, ushering in a new era of luxury living in Miami.

Edgardo Defortuna, President, CEO and Founder, Fortune International Group

Photo Credit: Fortune International Group

Edgardo Defortuna is President, CEO and Founder of Fortune International Group, a Miami-based full-service real estate firm recognized throughout South Florida, Latin America and Europe as a leader in high-end luxury real estate. He oversees all of the company's activities across all of its business units.

Mr. Defortuna brings 30+ years of experience in the real estate industry and is considered a visionary and a driving force in South Florida real estate. Since its launch in 1983, Fortune International Group has been a preeminent leader in real estate sales, management, and development, successfully operating and building in South Florida’s best neighborhoods including Brickell, Key Biscayne, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Aventura, and Sunny Isles Beach. Today, Fortune International Group maintains 18 offices worldwide with over 1000 agents. In addition, its portfolio of developments includes Jade Residences at Brickell Bay, Jade Beach, Jade Ocean, Auberge Beach Residences & Spa Fort Lauderdale, The Ritz-Carlton Sunny Isles Beach, and Jade Signature.

Fortune International Group is well-known around the world, with a strong presence in Latin America. The company has also penetrated the European and Asian markets at full speed, with a special focus on Spain, Britain, France, Turkey, and Russia. Through his company’s success, Mr. Defortuna is widely recognized for having made a significant contribution to the internationalization of Miami and its reputation as a global business, trade and vacation hub.

A pioneer in many areas, Mr. Defortuna can be credited for being of the first Miami developers to align with international “starchitects” to bring his vision to fruition. Fortune International Group has worked with the very best in the world including Herzog & De Meuron, Pierre Yves Rochon, Michele Bonan, Arquitectonica, Carlos Ott and others.

According to Mr. Defortuna, “the keys to successful residential real estate development include market knowledge, construction experience and access to plenty of capital. Equally important are ambition and reputation.”

Shahab S. Karmely, Founder, KAR Properties LLC

Photo Credit: KAR Properties LLC

With 35 years of international real estate experience, Shahab S. Karmely has honed an impressive pedigree in transactional, managerial, and developmental disciplines. These, combined with an extensive background in fine arts and design, are the foundational elements of his development expertise and overall vision. As the founder of KAR Properties LLC, and through KAR and/or its affiliates, Mr. Karmely has acquired, repositioned, and monetized over 3 million square feet of office, luxury mixed-use, and industrial space in the US, Southeast Asia, and Europe. With offices in New York and Miami, KAR currently oversees the management of a core portfolio of assets and a development pipeline in excess of 5 million square feet.

KAR has made a significant entry into the Miami market with acquisitions and investments in excess of $300 million in established and emerging neighborhoods. Mr.Karmely’s background as a developer/owner/manager gives him a unique perspective and invaluable insights in analyzing and implementing the appropriate strategies for a variety of asset classes. He champions innovative and inventive approaches in response to changing market conditions, trends, and new opportunities as is required in today’s dynamic and challenging real estate markets.

Marcelo Kingston, Managing Partner, Multiplan Real Estate Asset Management (REAM)

Photo Credit: Multiplan Real Estate Asset Management

Marcelo Kingston, Managing Partner of Multiplan Real Estate Asset Management (REAM), has more than 20 years of experience in the real estate development and financial sectors throughout the United States and Brazil.

Under Mr. Kingston’s oversight, Multiplan REAM--founded by José Isaac Peres, the internationally-recognized Brazilian developer, and owner of major residential and commercial real estate holdings--is currently developing 57 Ocean, a new, ultra-luxury wellness-inspired oceanfront condominium in Miami Beach. Designed by globally-acclaimed Miami-based firm Arquitectonica, the enclave will feature a limited collection of 81 residences in a one-of-a-kind, elegant and high-profile boutique residential building with luxury amenities.

Mr. Kingston is also the founder and former CEO of PatioMix Shopping Centers, a fully-integrated Brazilian mall company with development, construction, leasing and management capabilities. Active in the industry, as well as his surrounding community, he is a member of the ULI Florida Multifamily Product Council, the Key Biscayne Village Educational Advisory Board, and the Key Biscayne K-8 Educational Excellence School Advisory Council.

Mr. Kingston holds a BA in Finance from Louisiana State University, a Master of Design from the Illinois Institute of Technology, and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Daniel Kodsi, CEO, Royal Palm Companies

Photo Credit: Royal Palm Companies

Photo Credit: Optimum Development USA

Ricardo Tabet is the co-founder and CEO of Optimum Development USA LLC, a fully integrated real estate and development investment firm with offices in the U.S. and Europe. An accomplished professional with more than 22 years of experience in the real estate industry, Mr. Tabet is widely regarded as a highly respected business executive and successful residential and commercial developer.

Curating, creating and delivering unique, exclusive lifestyle and architecturally distinctive properties, Mr. Tabet specializes in developing ultra-luxury condominiums, high-end retail, strategically located lifestyle boutique hotels and “Class A” office buildings in prime locations throughout the world. Among the company’s most notable recent projects are The Celino Hotel in Miami Beach, a Small Luxury Hotels of the World brand; 160 Imlay in Brooklyn, a luxury residential condominium conversion that was formerly the New York Dock Co.; Labels Berlin 1 and 2 in Germany; and the Exchange Palace in Budapest, a mixed-use project being developed in one of the most renowned buildings in Europe that formerly housed the country’s stock exchange.

As a former senior executive of several large national and international investments firms, Mr. Tabet has been involved in more than $4 billion in real estate transaction deals and has led the acquisitions, repositions and development of major real estate assets in the Middle East, Europe, the United States, and South America. He has also acted as an exclusive representative and real estate investment advisor to many institutions, foreign investment banks, and family wealth management offices.

Mr. Tabet earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and hotel administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and his Master in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Eric Fordin, Vice President, The Related Group

Photo Credit: The Related Group

Eric Fordin is a Vice President at The Related Group. His commercial real estate experience spans more than 21 years, with specialization in the acquisition, entitlement, development, financing, sales, and marketing of multifamily and mixed use development projects. 

Since joining Related in 2004, Mr. Fordin has been involved in the development, from concept through construction completion, of over 2,000 units with a value in excess of $3 billion. These projects include the Residences by Armani Casa, Hyde Resort & Residences, Apogee Beach, Beachwalk Resort & Residences, Hyde Beach House, Loft and Loft 2.  

His oversight includes the negotiation of land acquisition and partnership agreements, development budget creation and project fiscal responsibility along with the overall management of the development process including overseeing the team of consultants including general contractors, architects, engineers and designers in the realization of The Related Group projects. 

After earning a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of South Florida, Mr. Fordin attended New York University where he completed real estate-related courses in project management, cash flow analysis, and construction essentials for owners and developers. 

Full Schedule of Events at Haute Residence 2020 Luxury Miami Real Estate Summit:

11:00am – 11:30am: Welcome and Registration

11:45am – 1:15pm: Titans of Miami – “East Coast Kings”

Masters of the Miami skyline sound off on where they see the luxury market heading and its evolution.

Developer Panelists: Gil Dezer, Louis Birdman, Dan Kodsi, Shahab Karmely, Marcelo Kingston, Edgardo Defortuna, Ricardo Tabet, Eric Fordin

1:15pm – 1:30pm: Jumbo Loan King

Eric Fessler, expert entrepreneur, has over 30 years of mortgage banking experience closing over $10 billion. Fessler discusses the procurement of jumbo loans in single-family homes along with warranty and non-warranty new condominium developments on a nationwide scale.

1:30pm – 2:30pm: Lunch – Residences by Armani/Casa

Network with the greatest minds of development and brokerage in the luxury real estate market.

2:45pm – 3:45pm: International Power Brokers Panel

Top broker/agents from key international real estate meccas such as Miami Beach, Los Angeles, New York City and Cayman Islands sound off on the latest in market conditions and development.

Panelists: Dolly Lenz and Jenny Lenz (NYC), Mary Ann Osborn (LA), Richard Steinberg (NYC), Cody Vichinsky (NYC) Olivia Hsu Decker (San Francisco) Jay Parker (Miami), Ben Bacal (Hollywood Hills), Michael Goldstein (Miami), Sue Nickason (Cayman Islands)

4:00pm – 5:00pm: Miami Power Brokers

Top South Florida brokers share their knowledge on the evolution and direction of the luxury market today.

Panelists: Jill Eber, Maria Eugenia Alvarez Vitale, Jeff Miller, Lourdes Alatriste, Steve Solomon, Crista Ryan, Sebastian Tettamanti, Christian Martinez

5:00pm: Summit Closing Remarks

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Photo Credit: KonMari Media Inc.

Her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” had already flown off the shelves by the time the show premiered in early 2019, with which singles, couples and families implemented The KonMari Method. As Kondo says in her website, “The KonMari Method encourages keeping only those things that speak to the heart. Discard items that have outlived their purpose; thank them for their service – then let them go.”

You will be stunned at how many things you are ready to say goodbye to in your life once you hold each item in your hands and ask yourself the question. These include clothes, trinkets, photos, decorative items, and anything else under your roof.

From North America to Europe and all the way to Asia, Marie has grown a network of Certified Consultants that implement the KonMari Method to help thousands of people in tidying their home.

Marie Kondo kindly joined us for a Q&A.

Photo Credit: KonMari Media Inc.

Haute Living: How has 2020 gone so far for you?

Marie Kondo: The beginning of a new year is always special. I use this time to step back and consider my goals for the year ahead.

HL: What is special about the KonMari lifestyle brand?

MK: KonMari is a lifestyle brand with a suite of products, services and content designed to help organize your home and bring joy to your life. We’re also a platform for connecting and supporting one another on our tidying journeys – which is very powerful. Everything we do is centered around the concept of sparking joy, and I think that’s what makes us special.

Photo Credit: KonMari Media Inc.

HL: How does growing your Certified Consultant network across so many countries’ borders feel?

MK: Right now we have over 350 certified KonMari Consultants in 40 countries – with a waitlist of thousands to join the program. The continued growth and success of such a personal offering is humbling. I’m still amazed at how many people find a sense of purpose in this work! For those unfamiliar with the program, we wrote about its beginnings and expansion here: Organize the World: Behind the Consultant Program.

HL: People are using your name as a verb to describe how they declutter, saying phrases like, “I just Kondo’d my place.” Did you ever think this could be possible?

MK: No! I never imagined this would happen. I’m still surprised – and my family is, too! Kondo is a fairly common last name in Japan – it’s like Smith in the U.S. I’ve heard of other Kondos from Japan being asked if they’re good at tidying when they travel abroad.

Photo Credit: KonMari Media Inc.

HL: When you were a professional tidying consultant, what was the longest time that you consulted a home? Why?  

MK: Two years. My client was a very busy doctor who ran her own clinic, and we could only meet once a month. She lived in a very large three-story house, and she owned a lot of stuff. By the end of our time together her house has transformed – it was a completely different home.

HL: Your fans want to know, do you have any news on season two of “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo”?

MK: I’m excited to report that season two is in development – stay tuned!

Photo Credit: KonMari Media Inc.

The post Marie Kondo On Her KonMari Lifestyle Brand appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Swire Properties Inc

Reach and Rise are recognized as the premier luxury condominium towers located atop the $1.05 billion-dollar landmark, Brickell City Centre.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Swire Properties Inc

"To target our well-traveled clientele from Latin America, Europe and the Northeast, we collaborated with Steven Gurowitz to deliver this eclectic mix of furnished units,” said Maile Aguila, senior vice president of residential sales for Swire Properties Inc. "The upscale collection was designed to elevate the new urban lifestyle that Brickell City Centre offers, with sweeping city and water views, as well as proximity to an expansive retail center with 120 storefronts and four levels of unparalleled shopping, dining and entertainment venues.”

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Swire Properties Inc

Notably setting a new standard of city living, starting in the mid $600’s, the expansive collection includes an array of one-to-three-bedroom floor plans with 9’4” to 11’4” ceiling heights. Ideal for those looking to live in the epicenter of Miami, the furnished residences include convertible dens, open-floor kitchens, expansive living rooms, massive bedrooms and bathrooms, over-sized walk-in closets, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, large wrap-around balconies, stunning city and water views, and more. Appealing to and reaching the discerning residential buyer, the NOW by Steven G. units are delivered turnkey, fully finished and furnished with exquisite Italian cabinetry and imported marble floors.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Swire Properties Inc

The post Swire Properties Tapped Steven Gurowitz Of Now By Steven G. For Brickell City Centre Residences At Rise appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Timberlake announced that he designed and curated a collection of home goods and art in collaboration with his longtime interior designer and friend Estee Stanley. He's quoted as saying that without her inspiration, he wouldn't have had the idea for the project.

Timberlake's collection has been available exclusively at HomeMint.com since May. He and Stanley drew inspiration from Europe, Los Angeles and Paris for their pieces. The pair also admitted that they prefer antiques to contemporary pieces, which is evident in the style of the collection.

For a look of the complete collection, check out the HomeMint Web site.

Source: Elle Decor

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