Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Three panels of experts, brokers and developers from Miami to New York, from the Caribbean to Los Angeles, and up the coast to San Francisco informed and interacted with the audience in the capacity-filled event space.

If you added the total value of the transactions of luxury real estate all of them have been responsible over the course of their careers on a spreadsheet, you would end up seeing multiple billions of dollars as the result.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The Summit started on the evening of this past Tuesday, February 11th with an intimate dinner inside the building's Armani Restaurant, where Italian cuisine was the star of the evening. Just like the panels that would take place the following day, diners experienced a three-course meal that delighted the palate.

April Donelson, Cheryl Casone

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Fox Business Network Anchor Cheryl Casone traveled from New York with her FBN:AM film crew to capture the annual Summit in its greatest edition yet.

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After a good night's sleep, it was time to get down to business when the sun rose on the South Florida coast on the morning of the 12th.

Moderator Alex Vidal with "Titans of Miami" developer panelists

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Alex Vidal, President of RelatedISG International Realty, served as Moderator for the full day's worth of dialogues.

Gil Dezer, Kamal Hotchandani, Sebastian Tettamanti

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Haute Living CEO Kamal Hotchandani gave introductory remarks, welcoming the audience that included numerous members of Haute Living's exclusive networks of realtors, brokers, developers, interior designers, doctors and lawyers, as well as industry insiders and VIPs. After the formalities, it was time for the panels to begin.

Developers, "Titans of Miami"

Louis Birdman, Shahab S. Karmely, Edgardo Defortuna, Daniel Kodsi, Gil Dezer, Eric Fordin, Ricardo Tabet, Marcelo Kingston

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The real estate developer panel, titled "Titans of Miami," kicked off the highly anticipated Haute Residence 2020 Luxury Miami Real Estate Summit panels (read full recap here).

The panelists spoke extensively about the past, present and future of development growth in Miami, South Florida, on national, and international levels. Their developments in Miami have generated worldwide headlines and were rightfully highlighted in their answers. As well-known names in the real estate and development community, they were the perfect start to the Summit.

International Power Brokers

Sue Nickason, Ben Bacal, Dolly Lenz, Jenny Lenz, Mary Ann Osborn, Richard Steinberg, Cody Vichinsky, Olivia Hsu Decker, Jay Parker, Michael Goldstein

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The International Power Brokers panel featured brokers that execute hundreds of millions of dollars in luxury real estate transactions year in and year out (read full recap here).

Each was asked and spoke of their success by Vidal. Most importantly for the industry insiders, brokers and agents in attendance, the panelists gave their tips on how to market and engage higher-priced listings and the clients that come with them.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Miami Power Brokers

Phil Gutman, Lourdes Alatriste, Crista Ryan, Christian Martinez, Sebastian Tettamanti, Maria Eugenia Alvarez Vitale, Steve Solomon

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The Miami Power Brokers panel closed the daylong study and dialogue with a talk about the real estate market in Miami and the broader South Florida area that includes Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties (read full recap here).

They spoke about the current state of the real estate market in Miami-Dade and close communities in Broward and Palm Beach counties that are a quick drive up I-95 and enjoy the same South Florida weather yearlong. Other topics included: What makes Miami and South Florida such an active destination for many around the country and the world, contrasts between the renting and buying markets, the ins and outs of searching and asking for proof of funds from potential buyers, the impact of brand names on a project, and more.

Jeff Miller, Phil Gutman and Ian Reisner at Opening Night dinner of Haute Residence 2020 Luxury Miami Real Estate Summit

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

April Donelson, Seth Semilof, Olivia Hsu Decker, Alex Vidal, Sue Nickason

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The post Recap Of The Haute Residence 2020 Luxury Miami Real Estate Summit appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

The Summit had already featured two other, separate panels with a “who’s who” in the real estate market: developers, and international brokers. The local brokers brought it home to a successful and informative talk.

Phil Gutman, Lourdes Alatriste, Crista Ryan, Christian Martinez, Sebastian Tettamanti, Maria Eugenia Alvarez Vitale, Steve Solomon

The panelists joined Moderator Alex Vidal, President of RelatedISG International Realty in a capacity-filled event space within the luxurious Residences by Armani/Casa (18975 Collins Avenue, Sunny Isles Beach, Florida), developed by Dezer Development.

They spoke about the current state of the real estate market in Miami-Dade and close communities in Broward and Palm Beach counties that are a quick drive up I-95 and enjoy the same South Florida weather yearlong. Other topics included: What makes Miami and South Florida such an active destination for many around the country and the world, contrasts between the renting and buying markets, the ins and outs of searching and asking for proof of funds from potential buyers, the impact of brand names on a project, and more.

When asked about the state of the market, Maria Eugenia Alvarez Vitale, Head of Sales of G&G Business Developments, said, “The market is good.” She is currently focused on sales of Aston Martin Residences in Downtown Miami, an area that she has gotten to know even more through her involvement with the British carmaker’s namesake building. "We are over 50% sold in Aston Martin Residences. The downtown area is booming," she added.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Phil Gutman, President of Brown Harris Miami, opined from the brokerage point of view, comparing the high- and middle-priced homes in the luxury market. “The upper part of the market has been doing well; the middle not so much.”

Palm Beach County real estate expert Steve Solomon, Senior Director of Luxury Sales at Douglas Elliman Real Estate based in Boca Raton, said, "In Boca Raton and Delray Beach, the market is very good. There are many buyers in the market. It's an active season for the $1-3 million range."

Vidal asked, “Besides the weather and tax incentives, what drives people to move to Miami?” Crista Ryan answered, "The wonderful security. We ride our bicycles and feel safe in our communities." She is based in Palm Beach County, where she acts as President of Tina Fanjul Associates. New York native Gutman added, “The quality of life. I grew up walking NY's streets, hearing taxis screech on the road. Here it's more laid back, but we have a lot of companies' headquarters in the area."

Participating as part of the “home team”, Senior Vice President of Dezer Development Sebastian Tettamanti spoke about renting versus buying. "The rental market is very active. The buyer is taking a bit longer,” he said. “Now that there is so much product, agents take clients to more locations. However, the product is moving and we are making sales."

Christian Martinez, Regional Vice President of Florida at Compass, said, "Higher listings take longer, but we see them moving. It also depends on the market. Certainly in Miami, Coral Gables and Coconut Grove have an active market” as he remarked on famous sections of the Greater Miami Area. He added, “Overall, New York money continues to flow into Broward and Palm Beach counties."

Partner and Private Office Advisor of Engel & Völkers Miami Lourdes Alatriste emphasized how members of the luxury real estate market need to research potential buyers for proof of funds. “At that level of luxury properties, you should know who they are."

April Donelson, Cheryl Casone

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Fox Business Network Anchor Cheryl Casone was present with her FBN:AM film crew to cover the Summit.

Once the panel ended, Haute Living’s Seth Semilof closed the day by thanking all panelists, Vidal, those in attendance and Residences by Armani/Casa for what was the real estate event of the season.

The post Miami Real Estate Summit Closes With Local Brokers Panel appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Sue Nickason, Ben Bacal, Dolly Lenz, Jenny Lenz, Mary Ann Osborn, Richard Steinberg, Cody Vichinsky, Olivia Hsu Decker, Jay Parker, Michael Goldstein

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Each was asked and spoke of their success by Moderator Alex Vidal, President of RelatedISG International Realty. Most importantly for the industry insiders, brokers and agents in attendance that filled the event space to capacity, the panelists gave their tips on how to market and engage higher-priced listings and clients that come with it.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Queen of New York real estate Dolly Lenz emphasized how important it is to know and relate to a high net worth client, saying, "Read The Wall Street Journal. Know what's going on in politics; in business; where the pitfalls are, so you can share that with them. I think that's key." Her daughter, Jenny Lenz, joined her mother four years ago at Dolly Lenz Real Estate, learning about the best from the best, and brought that knowledge into the panel.

Cody Vichinsky, Founding Partner at Bespoke Real Estate, focuses his company on $10+ million listings only with an in-house team of agents and staff that tailor their listings' marketing, such as Burnt Point in The Hamptons. "We look at the market very focused in the high luxury market. We have no independent agents, so our model is entirely different from a conventional brokerage business. It's more dynamic."

Olivia Hsu Decker, Co-owner of Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty, which encompasses over two dozen offices in the San Francisco Bay Area, hit the target as she described the luxury real estate world. "Our business is a people business," she said.

Mary Ann Osborn speaking at Haute Residence 2020 Luxury Miami Real Estate Summit

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Jay Parker, CEO of Douglas Elliman Florida Brokerage, addressed the luxury market in Miami compared to other cosmopolitan cities. "You look at luxury (real estate) in other cities compared to Miami and you find that our price points (in Miami) are pretty attractive".

Michael Goldstein, President of The Trump Group, highlighted the migration to South Florida from the north as he oversees sales of The Estates at Acqualina. " 75% of our business is coming from New York," he said.

Ben Bacal, a leader in the Los Angeles real estate and creator of the Rila app, gave his expertise on the LA market. "Since 2017-2018, properties in Hillcrest have gone down in price to where they need to be. We see an uptick in international buyers. I want to teach my agents to be powerhouses in each of their market and become power agents in those areas. "

One of New York’s most successful brokers of apartments and townhouses, Richard Steinberg held nothing back as he compared and contrasted the buyers and sellers in the lower-priced and higher-priced markets. "Every seller thinks they charge too little. Every buyer thinks they pay too much,” he said. “But they buy it because they want it. My advice to people (brokers) is to go for the big stuff because it's much harder to sell the small stuff," encouraging the live audience and those that watched the live stream on Instagram to reach higher.

April Donelson, Seth Semilof, Olivia Hsu Decker, Alex Vidal, Sue Nickason

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Sue Nickason, based in the Cayman Islands and Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Dart Real Estate, had a unique insight on the small island “tax haven”. "Our sweet spot is beach, beach, beach,” she said. “We have a brokerage that did the most sales in the Cayman Islands last year, just shy of $100 million."

On the influence of technology in the luxury real estate market, Dolly Lenz said, "I think it's playing a small role. I find it to be hyped at the moment. In five years, applications will really change how we do business."

Mary Ann Osborn, Leading Broker at Century City, followed on that, "The older people come in through signage on the property and require you to hand-hold them through the process," about the extra personal touch that comes when selling luxury real estate, particularly to people that are not as engaged with technology as younger generations.

A long round of applause was given to the panelists at the end, many who had traveled from far to participate in the Summit.

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Louis Birdman, Shahab S. Karmely, Edgardo Defortuna, Daniel Kodsi, Gil Dezer, Eric Fordin, Ricardo Tabet, Marcelo Kingston

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The panelists spoke extensively about the past, present and future of development growth in Miami, South Florida, on national, and international levels. Their developments in Miami have generated worldwide headlines and were rightfully highlighted in their answers. As well-known names in the real estate and development community, they were the perfect start to the full day's worth of panels at the Summit.

Gil Dezer, Kamal Hotchandani, Sebastian Tettamanti

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Residences by Armani/Casa developer Gil Dezer, President of Dezer Development remarked on the boom that the real estate industry in Miami is experiencing. "(To) people trying to time the market and be financial analysts, stop," he said. "If you think it's expensive now, just wait, because it's not going to get any cheaper," answering about why people should buy properties now.

Shahab S. Karmely speaking at "Titans of Miami" panel

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Shahab S. Karmely, Founder of KAR Properties LLC and a staple in the development world of Miami having developed marvels like One River Point, once again participated in the exclusive panel at Haute Residence's annual real estate summit.

Daniel Kodsi speaking at "Titans of Miami" panel

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Daniel Kodsi, CEO of Royal Palm Companies, spoke about PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter, a project that is taking downtown Miami and South Florida by storm as the most amenitized building in the U.S., situated 90 feet above the ground. "When we started talking about it, we said 'let's do one great building. It has got to survive probably through a couple of markets from the day you launch it to the day you finish it,'" he said, helping to grasp the longevity of time and "developments" that can happen throughout the building of a project the size of PARAMOUNT.

Louis Birdman speaking at "Titans of Miami" panel

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Louis Birdman echoed that and added, "Miami is a relative bargain compared to other global cities". The South Florida cosmopolitan city has attracted hundreds, if not thousands, of residents from high-profile areas like New York. As co-developer of the recently-completed One Thousand Museum by Zaha Hadid Architects, designed by the architecture genius, he said, "We wanted someone that had no preconception about Miami" as he remembered how Hadid ended up as the one for the job.

Ricardo Tabet speaking at "Titans of Miami" panel

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Ricardo Tabet, Co-founder and CEO of Optimum Development USA was present less than a week since the groundbreaking ceremony of Monaco Yacht Club & Residences, the boutique luxury residential building that will house its own marina in the MiMo district of Miami Beach.

Edgardo Defortuna speaking at "Titans of Miami" panel

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Co-founder and CEO of Fortune International Group and Miami expert Edgardo Defortuna said, "Miami attracts the best crowds of everyone throughout the world," as he spoke fondly of the Magic City and its surroundings, where he has been responsible for billions of dollars in real estate transactions.

Eric Fordin speaking at "Titans of Miami" panel

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Eric Fordin, Vice President at The Related Group, joined Haute Residence's real estate summit for the first time. Fordin oversees land acquisition, partnership agreements, development budget creation, project fiscal responsibility at Related, which he joined in 2004.

Marcelo Kingston speaking at "Titans of Miami" panel

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Marcelo Kingston, Managing Partner of Multiplan Real Estate Asset Management (REAM) said, "The connectivity to the beach, to the boardwalk and the natural landscape of Miami will make your life at 57 Ocean unique and special," as he described the highly-anticipated project's, which recently hosted a special dinner for the Haute Living Dallas issue featuring NFL Hall of Famer Troy Aikman during Super Bowl week.

Moderator Alex Vidal with "Titans of Miami" panelists

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President of RelatedISG International Realty Alex Vidal served as Moderator for the panel, asking questions of the Titans that produced answers which engaged and did not let go of the audience for over an hour. A successful start to the real estate summit that was just getting started.

The post Insightful Developer Panel Started Haute Residence 2020 Luxury Miami Real Estate Summit appeared first on Haute Residence by Haute Living.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Some of the real estate industry's biggest names were in attendance, having flown in from places as far as the Cayman Islands, New York, and San Francisco.

Seth Semilof, Gil Dezer

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Jenny Lenz, April Donelson, Dolly Lenz

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The evening was highlighted by remarks from Dezer Development's Gil Dezer and Haute Living's Seth Semilof, who thanked all in attendance for what promises to be the best real estate summit that South Florida has seen. A full schedule of the Summit is below; see the big names participating in today's event.

Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

The three-course dinner of fine Italian cuisine included an antipasto option of Polpette (beef, pork and veal meatballs), a Caprese Salad, and Insalata di Cesare. The secondi included a selection of Bronzino (broiled Mediterranean sea bass), Parmigiano di Pollo Arrosto (roasted herb chicken breast), Bistecca (dry-aged filet mignon), and Tortellini Bolognese (classic red wine meat sauce). To end on a sweet note, the dolci offered tiramisu, alfajores (shortbread cookies), and a Lemon Sorbetto (amaretti cookie).

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Eric Fessler with guests

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Seth Semilof, Sue Nickason

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Jeff Miller, Phil Gutman, Ian Reisner

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Melissa Barragan, Marlui Rivas

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Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

Richard Steinberg, Renee Steinberg, April Donelson

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Jenny Lenz, Gil Dezer, Dolly Lenz

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Seth Semilof, Olivia Hsu Decker

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Photo Credit: Romain Maurice

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: Romain Maurice

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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 about the latest in the real estate market conditions and development.  Listen and learn from them by purchasing your ticket to the Summit HERE.

They are:

Dolly Lenz, Founder, Dolly Lenz Real Estate, Jenny Lenz, Managing Director, Dolly Lenz Real Estate

Jenny Lenz, Dolly Lenz

Photo Credit: Dolly Lenz Real Estate

Dolly Lenz has been called "New York's Real Estate Queen" by The Economist. The Wall Street Journal named her the number" One Real Estate Broker in the United States". The former Vice Chairman of Prudential Douglass Elliman left that post to start her own luxury sales and marketing firm. During her career, she has sold $12 billion in properties, including a triplex penthouse for $57 million purchased by Robert Murdoch, as well as the New York Foundling's $45 million West Village Mansion. She has also managed the sales and marketing efforts for many of New York's most illustrious properties including the Ritz-Carlton at 50 Central Park South, the iconic Apthorp and Manhattan House condominiums, The Cipriani Residences, and 515 East 72nd Street.

Dolly is a Fox Business contributor as well as a columnist for Australia's largest publication, The Australian. She is repeatedly sought after to represent some of the most exclusive properties in the world.

Jenny Lenz is a native New Yorker. She attended The Dalton School on Manhattan's Upper East Side and subsequently The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, majoring in Economics and French . While there, she worked at Barclays as a Summer Analyst in the Investment Banking Division and upon graduation accepted a full time Analyst position in its Industrials Group.

She then transitioned into real estate, following in her mother's footsteps working for Dolly Lenz Real Estate. 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. She has also fulfilled numerous speaking engagements at real estate conferences throughout the U.S and Australia. She strives to continue her mother's tradition taking on the New York and international real estate markets. She is regularly asked to opine on real estate matters on various media outlets including CNBC, NBC, and Fox Business. Jenny is also a columnist for The Australian–Mansions.

Mary Ann Osborn, Leading Broker, Century City

Photo Credit: Century City

Reaching over $1 billion in sales over the last eight years, Mary Ann Osborn has secured her position as a leading broker in Century City and Los Angeles.

Through her extensive knowledge of the market and preconstruction projects, she offers her clients a smooth and satisfactory transaction, from beginning to end. Her market knowledge, professionalism, level of integrity, and customer service qualify her as a broker of choice for new luxury condominiums in Century City. Osborn’s interpersonal skills and tactful approach has been validated by the particular demands of servicing an elite clientele.

She has been quoted in Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, the Los Angeles Times, and Westside Today, among others. 

She was the director of sales for The Century, a 42-story masterpiece designed by world-renowned Robert A.M. Stern Architects and developed by The Related Companies as their flagship entry into the West Coast. 

Richard Steinberg, Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Richard Steinberg is one of New York's most successful and prominent brokers of apartments and townhouses. Grossing over $150 Million in sales yearly, Steinberg has consistently been a top producer. His comprehensive knowledge of the Manhattan marketplace has made him a frequently cited expert on real estate in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Observer and other publications. Steinberg previously starred on the hit HGTV television show "Selling New York," and can now be seen on "The American Dream New York City", which airs on WLNY-CBS. He has a client roster of New York's top celebrities, politicians, and business leaders.

Over the course of his career, Steinberg has successfully brokered sales in virtually all of the city's notable condominiums, cooperatives and townhouses. He has worked with private individuals and developers to identify a townhouse for purchase, renovation, and resale at significant profits in addition to working with individuals to identify townhouses as long-term homes. Developers have used Richard's expertise in closing out last remaining units in the top condominiums. He is adaptive to client needs, discreet, and known for his careful negotiations on their behalf. Richard holds a Doctorate degree, raised two children in New York along with his wife, and is a long-time resident of the Upper East Side.

Cody Vichinsky, Founding Partner, Bespoke Real Estate

Photo Credit: Bespoke Real Estate

Cody Vichinsky is a Founding Partner of Bespoke Real Estate, the first and only $10M+ brokerage firm with no independent agents, and Bespoke Marketing, a fully integrated luxury branding, and marketing agency. Under Vichinsky and his older brother Zachary's leadership, Bespoke Real Estate has been consistently ranked #1 in the $10M+ market with nearly $3 billion in $10M+ property transactions and curated an exclusive portfolio of nearly $2 billion $10M+ properties. The Vichinsky's attributes much of this success to Bespoke's disruptive business model that enables clients to have access to Bespoke's entire company of niche-specialists who work collectively on their behalf, instead of working within the limits of what a single agent can provide. Under the same guiding principles of providing clients enhanced value, the Vichinsky's have spearheaded much of the growth and development of Bespoke Marketing, which has represented a global roster of luxury and hospitality brands as well as some of the most exclusive real estate in the world

Olivia Hsu Decker, Co-Owner, Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty

Photo Credit: Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty

Olivia Hsu Decker is co-owner of Golden Gate Sotheby’s International Realty, with 23 offices in the San Francisco Bay Area from Silicon Valley to Napa Valley and 16 cities in between.

Born in Shanghai, China, Olivia has been marketing luxury properties since 1979. She was #1 agent at Merrill Lynch Realty in the 1980s among the 16,500 sales associates nationwide. She completed an international real estate study at the University of Oxford in 1990, founded Decker Bullock Realty with Bill Bullock in 1991 and acquired Sotheby’s International Realty franchise in 2007. Her company is a leading luxury home brokerage in the San Francisco Bay Area with sales over $4 billion in 2018.

Olivia has a unique sales ability and connection to an affluent clientele. She combines the Sotheby’s International Realty’s global exposures and her vast network of local, national and international connections she developed over 40 years. She consistently matching the extraordinary homes with extraordinary clients, many are billionaires, business leaders, and celebrities. Olivia handled over $3 billion in properties in her career. She sold some of the most expensive homes over $20 million in Marin County and Silicon Valley. She is also a real estate investor, among other properties, she owned and sold Chateau de Villette and Chateau de Grimaldi in France and currently owns four luxury homes in Belvedere and London.

Jay Parker, Chief Executive Officer, Douglas Elliman Florida Brokerage

Photo Credit: Douglas Elliman Florida Brokerage

Real estate industry leader and veteran, Jay Phillip Parker has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Elliman Florida Brokerage since 2013. Responsible for the advancement of a leading provider of luxury real estate services across Florida, he has successfully grown Douglas Elliman's presence in markets from Miami to Jupiter, to Palm Beach and St. Petersburg with a total of 21 offices and more than 1,100 agents.

Under Parker's leadership, Douglas Elliman Florida marked a banner year in 2018 with $4.7 billion in total sales volume, which was up 30% over the prior year. Jay has been a key figure in the growth of the brand, which is now represented in luxury real estate markets in 60 countries and six continents through its partnership with London-based Knight-Frank Residential.

A graduate of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, Parker completed the study abroad program in Tel Aviv, Israel while earning his Bachelor's Degree. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law in May of 1998. A member of the Florida Bar Association, Parker serves on the Board of Governors for the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, as President of the Executive Board of Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation and a member of the Miami Association of Realtors Leadership Board.

Ben Bacal, Creator, Rila App

Photo Credit: Ben Bacal Real Estate

Ben Bacal began his career at the young age of 24. In his first year as a REALTOR^®, he sold more than $17 million in real estate. Since then, Bacal has sold more than $2 billion in real estate, and his successes garnered him the front cover of the LA Times Business Section and inclusion on The Wall Street Journal list of top 1000 agents, nationwide. A few of his notable transactions include: 1181 Hillcrest, which marked the largest sale ever in the city of Beverly Hills at $70,000,000; Madonna’s Beverly Hills home, which sold for $19,500,000; and the sale of the Megan Ellison (film producer and Oracle heir) compound on Nightingale Drive which sold for over $47,000,000—just to name a few.

Ben’s professional salesmanship, infused with the innate ability to articulate the vision and intrinsic value of the Los Angeles real estate market, has helped him reach the pinnacle of the real estate game. As a result, he used his vast experience to co-found Rila, a mobile app designed to provide the community with free, unencumbered access to real estate and like-minded industry professionals.

Michael Goldstein, President, Trump Group

Photo Credit: Trump Group

Michael Goldstein is President at the Trump Group with more than 35 years of experience in the real estate industry. He has sold over $5 billion in properties during his successful career. Goldstein has sales, marketing and branding experience and is instrumental in designing floorplans and developing the extraordinary amenities for the Acqualina brand.

He joined the Trump Group in 1998 when they began developing Acqualina, with the first building debuting in 2006. After the resort, they introduced The Mansions at Acqualina. The sales office opened in 2012 and the building sold out in 21 weeks. The Mansions opened in 2015. The sales gallery for The Estates at Acqualina opened the following year. A native of New York, Michael has been living and working in South Florida for almost four decades.

Sue Nickason, Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Provenance Properties

Photo Credit: Dart Real Estate

Sue Nickason is Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Provenance Properties, a portfolio that includes international business development, marketing of visitation and commercial real estate leasing in the New Urbanism community of Camana Bay, operation of Provenance Properties – the official Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate in the Cayman Islands - and sales and marketing for luxury residential projects developed by Dart Real Estate including The Residences at Seafire and OLEA.

She has worked in marketing and development in the recreational property industry for 20 years. Her experience includes working with independent hotels and resorts, shared ownership properties, mixed use communities and condotels. She is highly experienced in working with developers from concept development and market assessment through to market implementation and operation.

Originally from Canada, Nickason moved to the Caribbean over a decade ago. She holds a MBA in Marketing (with Distinction) from the School of Hotel Administration at the University of Guelph, and a BA (Honors) from Mount Allison University, as well as certificates in economic development, adult education, customer service, revenue management, protocol and communications.

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

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

The Fox Business news anchor of FBN:AM is heading to South Florida with her New York City film crew to highlight and interview the real estate industry's biggest names in attendance at the annual summit by Haute Residence.

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

The post Fox Business Network And Cheryl Casone To Film At Haute Residence 2020 Luxury Miami Real Estate Summit At Residences By Armani/Casa 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

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