The Built World Podcast is a dynamic show that delivers engaging, in-depth conversations with Miami's top real estate leaders, developers, and entrepreneurs. Each episode explores the latest industry trends, success stories, and expert insights, all in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, often accompanied by cocktails. Hosted in a conversational style, the podcast features high-profile guests who share their experiences and perspectives, offering valuable insights for both seasoned profession ...
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Felipe Azenha Podcasts
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Bob Knakal - Chairman & CEO of BKREA
1:45:18
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1:45:18The legend of New York City commercial real estate brokerage himself, Bob Knakal, flew down to Miami and joined us over some 1942 tequila to tell his story. From shoveling driveways as a kid to co-founding Massey Knakal in 1987, and ultimately selling it for $100 million, Bob takes us through the highs and lows of building one of the most iconic br…
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We recorded this episode live from Bilzin Sumberg’s office, in front of a packed room of ULI Leadership Institute alumni, sharing a pour of Don Julio 1942 with David Martin, CEO of Terra. David takes us through his Miami upbringing, his early entrepreneurial hustle (including the coffee shop he launched and sold while attending the University of Fl…
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Gabe Navarro - Managing Partner MMG Equity Partners
1:19:20
1:19:20
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1:19:20Over some Japanese whisky, we sit down with Gabe Navarro to talk about the family legacy behind the Navarro Pharmacy chain, a true Miami institution. Gabe shares what it was like growing up in the business, from sweeping floors and stocking shelves to ultimately helping lead the company through its major exit to CVS. We get into how he and his sibl…
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David Whitaker - President & Chief Executive Officer, GMCVB
1:32:10
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1:32:10Hailing from the Napa Valley of Onions, Vidalia, Georgia, David Whitaker joins us over a glass of Bendersky Reserve Scotch to share his remarkable journey. David first arrived in Miami in the 1980s, where his introduction to the city was anything but smooth. He was mugged at gunpoint his first Friday in town, and then carjacked the following week. …
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Q3 2025 Market Update: Juan Arias, National Director of Industrial Analytics, CoStar Group & Anthony Graziano, CEO, Integra Realty Resources, and
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1:45:38This quarter, we poured some Nikka Japanese whiskey and sat down with two of the sharpest minds in the CRE data world: Juan Arias, National Director of Industrial Analytics at CoStar Group, and Anthony Graziano, Chairman & CEO of Integra Realty Resources. Every quarter, these guys help us dissect what’s actually moving Miami’s industrial market — p…
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Daniel Lebensohn - Co-CEO & Co-Founder, BH3 Management
1:20:19
1:20:19
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1:20:19We cracked open a couple of cold IPAs and went LIVE with Daniel Lebensohn, Co-CEO & Founder of BH3 Management, at Bisnow’s Miami State of the Market - our first-ever live podcast. Daniel brought the unfiltered stuff: building through cycles, spotting distress before it hits the headlines, assembling A-teams, and keeping conviction when deals get we…
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Michael Swerdlow - Managing Partner, Swerdlow Group
1:41:49
1:41:49
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1:41:49By Ben Hoffman & Felipe Azenha
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Tadd Schwartz - President, Schwartz Media Strategies
2:33:40
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2:33:40We cracked open a few cold Peronis with Tadd Schwartz, the man behind Schwartz Media Strategies and one of the sharpest storytellers in Miami. Tadd took us behind the curtain of Miami’s PR machine: the spin, the splash, and the subtle art of making a real estate project feel like the second coming of South Beach. From rebranding neighborhoods to na…
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Neisen Kasdin - Co-Office Managing Partner, Akerman
1:38:02
1:38:02
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1:38:02In this episode, we sat down with a couple of scotches and a legend of Miami Beach, Neisen Kasdin. Born and raised on the Beach, Neisen has witnessed its transformation firsthand. From his teenage years, he was drawn to politics with dreams of one day becoming president. That passion led him to Northwestern University, where he studied political sc…
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Gerald & Trisha Posner - Best Selling Authors & Award-Winning Investigative Journalists
2:11:10
2:11:10
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2:11:10From San Francisco to London to New York City, Gerald and Trish Posner have lived lives that are anything but ordinary. Gerald started his career as a young hotshot lawyer, while Trish came up through the fashion industry. Fate brought them together in NYC, and since then, they’ve become an award-winning investigative writing duo with a shelf full …
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Matthew Baron - President & Founder, Baron Property Group
1:22:23
1:22:23
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1:22:23Matt sat down with us over a glass of tequila and shared his journey. From growing up in Brooklyn and working early jobs as a club promoter to building a $2.1 billion real estate portfolio, Matt plays chess, not checkers. He discovered early that his superpower was a relentless work ethic; pounding the phones and making more cold calls than anyone …
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Ana Bozovic - Founder, Analytics Miami
1:37:56
1:37:56
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1:37:56Ana sat down with us over a couple of very dirty martinis, and the conversation went just as unfiltered. Ana is as much of a data nerd as we are, and we dug into the strength of Miami’s new development condo market, the macroeconomic forces funneling wealth into South Florida, and why she believes capital and high-net-worth individuals will keep fl…
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Inside The Built World with Ben Hoffman & Felipe Azenha
52:24
52:24
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52:24No guests this week, just us, talking shop and sharing what’s really going on in Miami’s industrial market. We get into the story of Built World Advisors, why we’re betting big on Class B warehouses in the urban core, and what we’ve learned building a media-meets-brokerage platform from the ground up. We also break down what’s hot (and what’s not) …
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Hue Chen - President, Saglo Companies
1:41:50
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1:41:50Hue Chen, President of Saglo Companies, stopped by to drop some serious shopping center knowledge. From his early days as a leasing agent to leading one of South Florida’s most active retail owner-operators, Hue’s journey is a masterclass in grit, hustle, and long-term vision. A fixture at ICSC and a forward-thinker in applying AI to real estate, H…
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Mid-Year Market Update with Anthony Graziano & Juan Arias
1:30:11
1:30:11
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1:30:11The brain trust is back. Juan Arias (CoStar Group) and Anthony Graziano (Integra Realty Resources) join us to break down what’s shaping up for the second half of 2025 in commercial real estate. We cover the macro trends: interest rates, capital flows, development costs, and zoom in on how they’re impacting real-world dealmaking in South Florida. Wh…
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Andy Hellinger - Co-founder & Principal, Urban-X Group
1:13:54
1:13:54
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1:13:54A former attorney and once a professional tennis player Andy brings a rare mix of discipline, strategy, and precision to the world of real estate development. He takes us behind the scenes of River Landing, one of the largest mixed-use projects on the Miami River. The River Landing story is just the tip of the iceberg. Before founding Urban-X, Andy…
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Noah Breakstone - Managing Partner & CEO, BTI Partners
1:47:29
1:47:29
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1:47:29In this episode, we dive into Noah’s epic journey, from selling Encyclopedia Britannica door-to-door to capitalizing on the 2008 financial crisis (what the hell is a community development bond?) and building one of the largest land portfolios in Florida. As the founder and Managing Partner of BTI Partners, Noah has helped shape the development of t…
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Abe dropped by the pod with a couple of bottles of saki in hand. He grew up in a restaurant family, studied at Cornell’s prestigious hospitality school, and came out of the gates swinging—with a fast-casual wrap concept that flopped. But instead of giving up, he zoomed out. He realized the real estate under that failed concept was too good to waste…
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Gary Ressler - Principal, TILIA Companies
1:22:14
1:22:14
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1:22:14Today we sit down with Gary Ressler to talk all things Downtown Miami real estate. We get into what it was like growing up in a real estate family, Gary’s stint in Hollywood working at Disney, and what it was like stepping in to run the family business. We talk about how they’ve kept the DuPont Building looking spotless, why downtown still kind of …
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Jay Newman - Partner & Chief Operating Officer, Athens Group
1:25:40
1:25:40
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1:25:40On this episode we share a drink with Jay Newman — one of the driving forces behind some of the most iconic luxury hotels and branded residences in the country. Before he was leading projects like Amangiri, Montage, and the Four Seasons, Jay was a freshly minted college grad with a law degree, a curious mind, and a few good friends in a VW bus head…
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Nikki Greenberg - Real Estate Futurist
1:51:09
1:51:09
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1:51:09Live from the ULI Florida Summit: A Conversation with Futurist Nikki Greenberg In this special episode recorded on-site at the ULI Florida Summit in Bonita Springs, we sit down with world-renowned futurist Nikki Greenberg to explore the future of real estate. From her roots in South Africa to Australia and beyond, Nikki shares how her background in…
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Anthony De Yurre - Partner, Bilzin Sumberg
1:46:47
1:46:47
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1:46:47We poured some scotch and got into it — growing up in Miami, how the city’s changing block by block, and what it really takes to get deals done in this town. Anthony De Yurre isn’t your typical land use attorney. He’s a zoning whisperer, a deal enabler, and one of the guys shaping Miami’s skyline from the inside. As a partner at Bilzin Sumberg, he’…
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Nelson Stabile - Principal & Co-Founder, Integra Investments
1:49:44
1:49:44
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1:49:44From a small town in the Amazon to co-founding Integra Investments, Nelson Stabile’s journey is anything but typical. In this episode, he shares how a childhood spent off the grid shaped his problem-solving mindset — and how that grit now drives Integra’s adaptive approach to development in Miami’s shifting real estate market. We talk strategy, piv…
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Before he was Chairman of the Board at FORTEC, Pablo Barreiro was out in the field, brokering deals and learning the game from the ground up. Born in Argentina, Pablo came to the U.S. to play fútbol and pursue his education — eventually earning a JD, an MBA, and a double major in Economics and Political Science. That academic foundation, paired wit…
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Charles Ladd - Founder, Barron Real Estate
1:37:39
1:37:39
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1:37:39Charlie has been shaping the fabric of Fort Lauderdale for over three decades — not just as a developer, but as a local who never left. On this episode, we sit down with Charlie to trace his journey from the late 1980s to today — from his early work with Amera Companies to founding Barron Real Estate in 1991. He’s worn every hat: developer, leasing…
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Emi Guerra - Co-Founder, Breakwater Hospitality Group
1:41:21
1:41:21
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1:41:21From Club Space to Regatta Grove, Emi Guerra has seen it all. We trace his journey from hustling in high school as a club promoter to launching iconic venues like Club Space, The Wharf, and Regatta Grove. Emi opens up about the rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship — the early struggles, near-collapse, and the eventual rise of Breakwater Hospitali…
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Lissette M. Calderon - Founder & CEO, Neology Group
1:36:39
1:36:39
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1:36:39Lissette Calderon showed up to the studio with a bottle of Casa Dragones tequila and got right to business—just like she has her entire career. From her childhood growing up near the Miami River to becoming one of the most visionary developers in South Florida, Lissette’s story is nothing short of inspiring. In an industry historically dominated by…
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David Lombardi - President & Founder, Lombardi Properties
1:31:14
1:31:14
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1:31:14In this episode, we sat down over a couple of Old Fashioneds with David Lombardi — a true Miami original, Wynwood pioneer, and lifelong lover of architecture. David opens up about his journey from humble beginnings — growing up as an only child in a one-bedroom apartment with a single mom — to launching a restaurant, grinding through real estate de…
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Q1 South Florida Market Update with Anthony Graziano, CEO of Integra Realty Resources, and Juan Arias, Director of Market Analytics at CoStar Group
1:29:37
1:29:37
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1:29:37Two of South Florida’s sharpest data minds dropped by Büro for a couple of cocktails and a deep dive into the numbers shaping our region’s real estate market. Anthony and Juan joined us to unpack the real impact of tariffs on real estate and construction costs. We also got into the weeds on demographic shifts, new construction trends, and the Flori…
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Michael Simkins - President & CEO, Lion Development Group
1:23:00
1:23:00
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1:23:00Michael Simkins stopped by the pod with a bottle of E11EVEN Vodka in hand, and let’s just say—cocktails were poured, stories were shared, and the energy was very Miami. We talked about growing up in Miami Beach, his detour to Brooklyn Law, and his early days at Akerman before jumping into real estate with small deals around town. It wasn’t long bef…
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Scott Sherman - Founder & Principal, Torose Equities
1:19:22
1:19:22
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1:19:22Scott joined us for a couple of glasses of afternoon Tequila Ocho Reposado and a great conversation about his journey through the world of real estate. Born and raised in South Florida (with a solid NYC accent courtesy of his parents), Scott discovered his passion for real estate while earning his accounting degree at the University of Florida. Tha…
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Isaac Toledano - Co-Founder & CEO, BH Group
1:07:08
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1:07:08In this episode, Isaac shares his inspiring journey from dropping out of high school to following his entrepreneurial instincts, successfully starting and selling a landscaping business in Tel Aviv—all before the age of 16. He later ventured into private lending, amassing $1.5 million by his mid-20s. However, Isaac's fortunes dramatically reversed …
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Felix Bendersky - Founder & Principal, F+B Hospitality Leasing
1:18:04
1:18:04
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1:18:04Felix joined us on the pod—and yes, he brought along his signature Bendersky Scotch blend—to talk all things Miami F&B. Born and raised in the hospitality scene, Felix's journey started in Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, where his Ukrainian immigrant parents owned and operated a nightclub. After making waves as a nightclub promoter at Northeastern Univer…
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Malcolm Butters, Co-Founder & CEO, Butters Construction & Development
1:33:12
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1:33:12From his roots in Montreal to building one of South Florida’s leading industrial construction firms, Malcolm Butters shares his journey with us over a Monkey 47 Gin & Ginger Ale. Real estate runs in the Butters family—his father started investing in multifamily apartments back in Montreal, planting the seed for what would become a powerhouse busine…
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Miki Naftali - Founder & CEO, Naftali Group
2:13:07
2:13:07
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2:13:07From soaking up the sun on Israeli beaches to flipping one of the most iconic hotels in NYC, Miki Naftali’s real estate journey is the definition of a wild ride. Miki’s story starts in Israel, but things really took off when he landed at USC and pulled off his first off-market deal in Los Angeles—before he even had a business card. After cutting hi…
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Jorge Garcia - Co-Founder & CEO, garciastromberg
1:41:44
1:41:44
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1:41:44Jorge Garcia’s journey is the kind of immigrant success story that deserves a toast over a glass of red wine. Arriving in Miami during the 1960s Cuban exodus, his family settled in Liberty City, where he quickly learned the art of resilience. That grit took him to the University of Miami’s School of Architecture, and eventually, to the bold decisio…
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Michael Fay - Chairman, U.S. Capital Markets Group, Avison Young
1:12:04
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1:12:04What does it take to shape a city’s skyline and close nearly $17 billion in transactions? In this episode, we sit down with Michael over an Old Fashioned to talk about his four-decade journey in commercial real estate. Michael’s path wasn’t always smooth—he went from riding the short bus in middle school to becoming a powerhouse dealmaker, playing …
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Charles Foschini, Senior Managing Director, Berkadia
1:36:27
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1:36:27Charles Foschini didn’t just bring his A-game to the podcast—he also brought a bottle of Fortaleza tequila (because that’s how deals really get done). Born in New Jersey, Charles went from being a lifeguard and Eagle Scout to escaping the cold and heading straight for the 305. He didn’t just dip his toes in—he dove all in, earning an undergraduate …
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Carlos Rosso - Founder & CEO, Rosso Development
1:30:15
1:30:15
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1:30:15Carlos joined us on the podcast over a classic Negroni to share his remarkable journey as a real estate developer. Hailing from a family of architects in Buenos Aires, Carlos earned his architecture degree at the University of Buenos Aires before spending a decade in the Middle East with Besix, mastering the art of construction. His journey then to…
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2025 South Florida CRE Outlook with Juan Arias, CoStar Group
47:31
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47:31Juan joined us for a glass of Johnnie Walker Double Black and brought along his crystal ball to share insights into the future of South Florida’s commercial real estate market. We dove into everything from retail and land to office, multifamily, and—our favorite—industrial real estate. Spoiler alert: South Florida is booming, thanks to its dynamic …
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Tere Blanca - Founder, Chairman & CEO, Blanca Commercial Real Estate
1:23:06
1:23:06
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1:23:06This week, we share a glass of Chardonnay with Tere, whose life has taken her from Havana to the heart of Miami's commercial real estate world. Her story begins in Cuba, followed by childhood in Puerto Rico and high school in Venezuela. After graduating from the University of Miami, she entered the world of sales, where she discovered her passion f…
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Jennifer Sanz - Co-Founder & CEO, NEXT Development Group
1:20:37
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1:20:37Jennifer Sanz joined us for a rum & coke and a lively conversation about affordable housing and her journey through politics and real estate development. From her early days at the Pentagon to leading Florida Housing Finance Corporations's tax credit program, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience from both public policy and affordable housing deve…
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Gopal Rajegowda - Executive Vice President, Related Ross
1:18:56
1:18:56
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1:18:56Gopal Rajegowda joined us on The Built World Podcast for a Negroni and a fascinating conversation about his stellar career with Related Companies. As a first-generation Indian-American, Gopal’s journey began in a New York City suburb before taking him to Cornell University. While his passion for real estate and architecture sparked early, it truly …
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Donna Abood - Vice Chairman & Co-Head for Savills Florida Region
1:06:39
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1:06:39This week we popped open a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and took a walk down memory lane with Donna Abood, a true powerhouse in the real estate world. With over 40 years of experience, Donna’s journey is as inspiring as it is impressive. Real estate runs in her veins—her father was a developer in St. Petersburg, but Donna carved her own path. After gr…
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Russell Galbut - Co-Founder & Managing Principal, Crescent Heights
1:28:03
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1:28:03Born and raised in Miami Beach, Russell’s roots run deep, with his grandparents settling on the beach in the 1920s—making the Galbut family a true Miami Beach institution. He takes us through his early days building multi-family apartments on the beach and reflects on how he co-founded Crescent Heights in 1989. Under his leadership, the company has…
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Sydne Garchik -Founder & President, MRK Partners
48:17
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48:17In this episode Sydne joins us for a masterclass on affordable housing development—served with a glass of Rosé! Real estate development runs through Sydne’s veins, and she takes us back to her roots—tagging along with her father on site visits in Maryland. From there, she moved to Los Angeles and took on the role of Director of Operations at Standa…
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Stephen Bittel - Founder & Chairman, Terranova Corporation
1:28:00
1:28:00
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1:28:00Miami native Stephen Bittel joined us on the podcast, bringing not just his insights but a vintage 1996 bottle of Clos Lascombes to share. Stephen’s story begins with his roots in South Florida, graduating from Palmetto High before heading north to Bowdoin College in Maine. Post-graduation, he explored Europe on a Thomas Watson Fellowship, but his …
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Lyle Stern - Co-Founder, Vertical Real Estate
1:27:00
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1:27:00In this episode, we're joined by the one and only Lyle Stern—a true gentleman and an absolute legend in the Miami Beach retail scene. For over 40 years, Lyle has been the driving force behind transforming Miami Beach into a shopping mecca, bringing iconic brands like H&M, Brandy Melville, J.Crew, Banana Republic, Ted Baker, and Victoria’s Secret to…
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Don Soffer - Founder & Chairman, Turnberry Associates
1:04:55
1:04:55
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1:04:55When it comes to Miami real estate legends, Don Soffer is in a league of his own. At a lively 93 years old, Don joined us for a vodka on the rocks and a journey through his epic career. From building shopping malls in Pittsburgh to snapping up 786 acres of swamp in 1967, Don and his father transformed that patch of Florida wilderness into what we n…
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Iris Escarrá - Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig
1:23:05
1:23:05
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1:23:05Iris joined us on the podcast, and she didn’t come empty-handed—she brought a bottle of Elijah Craig Bourbon! As we sipped, Iris took us on a journey through Miami's evolving landscape, blending her passion for bourbon with her expertise in land use and the Miami 21 zoning code. A true 305 native, Iris shared her story, from her roots in South Miam…
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