In this episode, we sit down with legendary Miami developer Gil Dezer, the force behind Porsche Design Tower, Armani Residences, and the upcoming Bentley building. Gil opens up about hustling through high school and college, selling condos and timeshares before joining his father’s real estate empire and leading the charge himself. 

He walks us through the Dezer family story from his father immigrating from Israel in the 60s, building a typesetting business, then becoming one of the biggest owners in Chelsea before assembling oceanfront land in Sunny Isles starting in the 1980s.

Gil shares the raw truth of surviving the 2008 crash, when he owed $475 million and no buyers showed up for closings. By 2011, he had paid off every lender and officially took over Dezer Development.

We get into his first big project, Trump International, and how it led to iconic brand partnerships like Porsche, Armani, and Bentley. Gil also breaks down the creation of the Dezervator, the patented car elevator, and why he maintains patents in all countries. 

Beyond real estate, we dive into Gil’s passions: the Gumball 3000 rally (which he’s driven 13+ times), his 32-car collection, and breaking both legs, and how him and his father are both collectors. 

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

This is Built World: Hot Shots , recorded live at The Real Deal Forum, where every guest takes a shot of tequila or espresso before diving into some rapid-fire questions. Today, Russell Galbut joined us for an espresso shot and a quick-hit conversation.

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

Ever wondered how a stadium gets built, a pro sports team gets bought or sold, or who actually pays for it? Meet Irwin Raij, the sports and entertainment attorney behind some of the biggest deals in modern sports. From advising Inter Miami CF on their stadium, to helping negotiate the record-breaking $6.05B sale of the Washington Commanders, to working on acquisitions involving the Charlotte Hornets and major European soccer leagues Irwin’s career sits at the intersection of sports, law, politics, and mega-deals.

Growing up hustling in his dad’s Lincoln Road shoe store to working in the White House, on the Gore campaign, and today co-chairing Sidley’s global Sports & Entertainment group, Irwin brings stories you won't hear anywhere else.

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

The 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 brokerage firms in the country.

With over 2,363 buildings sold and more than $23 billion in total transaction volume, Bob’s track record speaks for itself. But what really stands out is his love of the game, relentless energy, and contagious optimism. Grab a drink and hit play, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

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 Florida), and how that drive evolved into a career shaping the city’s skyline. From his first deal to a pipeline of nearly 30 projects, this conversation offers a candid look at how one of Miami’s most influential developers thinks, builds, and leads. 

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

Over 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 siblings transformed Navarro from a neighborhood pharmacy brand into a real estate powerhouse, investing in shopping centers across Florida, developing multifamily projects, and even purchasing a ski resort in Idaho.

Gabe’s story is one of family, vision, and generational success, and he’s as genuine and humble as they come.

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

Hailing 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. Undeterred, he stayed, built his career, and eventually rose to become the President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. We get into the growth of the city, and how he is marketing our city to the rest of the world. 

Along the way, David held leadership roles in Chicago and Toronto, served on the executive staff of the United Way of Miami-Dade, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication & Public Relations from the University of South Florida.

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

This 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 — pricing trends, vacancy shifts, absorption patterns, capital flows, and where deals are getting done (and where they’re not).

We started with industrial because it’s often an early indicator of the economy’s health, then zoomed out into office, hospitality, and multifamily. The conversation hit everything from tarrifs, to port and truck traffic and increasing vacancy rates particalarly for large bay industrial. 

This one’s for anyone trying to make sense of what’s next in Miami commercial real estate, with laughs, whiskey, and a dose of data.

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

We 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 weird. We got into how BH3 thinks about risk, capital stacks, and value creation across Miami and beyond, plus the mindset it takes to compete at the top level without losing your humanity. If you like real talk with receipts, no fluff, no panel-speak, this one’s your jam.

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.

We hit the road and sat down with Michael Swerdlow, founder and managing partner of The Swerdlow Group, in his Coconut Grove office.

From his humble beginnings in the Bronx, where he hated school because it was too easy, to buying real estate in the 1970s with $0 of his own money, Michael’s story is a masterclass in hustle and vision.

He walks us through flipping apartment buildings, discovering the power of net leases, and becoming one of the first to sell them to pension funds. His deep understanding of leases led him to be the go-to guy to liquidate the assets of major bankrupt retailers, and forever changed how leaseholds were valued across the industry.

Today, Swerdlow leads a $295M affordable housing project in Little River, continuing a career building for the working man.

Light up a cigarette and buckle in, this one’s a wild ride with one of Miami’s real estate originals.

Connect with us

Want to dive deeper into Miami’s commercial real estate scene?
It’s our favorite topic and we’re always up for a good conversation. Whether you're just exploring or already making big moves, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or give us a call at 305.498.9410.

Prefer to connect online? Find us on LinkedIn or Instagram - we’re always open to expanding the conversation.

Ben Hoffman: LinkedIn
Felipe Azenha: LinkedIn

We extend our sincere gratitude to Büro coworking space for generously granting us the opportunity to record all our podcasts at any of their 8 convenient locations across South Florida.