Miami Dealmakers

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Andrew Rasken, Founder of META Development, to discuss his journey from technology and renewable energy to developing luxury residential projects in Miami. Andrew shares how he landed a $1.2 million solar contract with Royal Caribbean, built a renewable energy construction business, and eventually transitioned into real estate development. They dive into his boutique condominium projects, including Opus Coconut Grove and Colette in Brickell, the challenges of raising capital and developing in today's market, and his latest venture, UNYT, an AI-powered platform designed to streamline real estate transactions. Throughout the conversation, Andrew emphasizes the importance of relationships, integrity, and building products around the end user.

=======================

Whether you’re considering a sale, exploring refinancing options, or assessing your property’s value in today’s market, Berkadia provides the market intelligence and expertise to help you evaluate your options. With deep expertise in multifamily capital markets across South Florida, Berkadia helps investors navigate changing market conditions and capitalize on opportunities. Ready to start a conversation? Visit ⁠berkadia.com/miamidealmakers⁠.

=======================

• 00:00 - Introduction
• 01:53 - Growing Up in Miami: The Early Years
• 06:40 - Learning How to Hustle
• 13:21 - Landing a $1.2M Royal Caribbean Deal and Moving to Finland
• 20:53 - Scaling a Renewable Energy Construction Business to $100M
• 27:08 - Developing Student Housing Projects
• 31:49 - Launching His Own Real Estate Development Platform
• 39:05 - From Spec Homes to a $23M Brickell Acquisition
• 45:04 - Inside the Financing of Opus Coconut Grove
• 52:10 - The Challenges of Assembling Colette Brickell
• 1:00:23 - Expanding in Brickell as Development Deals Get Tougher
• 1:04:17 - Launching UYNT, an AI-Powered Real Estate Transaction Platform
• 1:15:52 - Advice for Young Entrepreneurs

=======================

Follow us on social media

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok⁠⁠

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Camilo Miguel, Founder and CEO of Mast Capital, to discuss developing Cipriani Residences Miami, the 83-story Brickell tower backed by a roughly $600 million construction loan. Camilo traces his path from flipping a Las Vegas land contract to buying distressed debt after the financial crisis. They dig into condo versus multifamily capital stacks, how branded residences are structured, and his record-setting Perigon in Mid-Beach, along with the philosophy behind Mast Capital's growth: focus on the markets you know, keep building your investor base, and never take your wins for granted.

=======================

Whether you’re considering a sale, exploring refinancing options, or assessing your property’s value in today’s market, Berkadia provides the market intelligence and expertise to help you evaluate your options. With deep expertise in multifamily capital markets across South Florida, Berkadia helps investors navigate changing market conditions and capitalize on opportunities. Ready to start a conversation? Visit berkadia.com/miamidealmakers.

=======================

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:03 - Origin Story & Getting Into Real Estate
• 8:40 - The Early Years: From Friends & Family to Institutional Capital
• 13:11 - Evolving Mast Capital & Learning From Growing Pains
• 17:43 - The Business of Condo vs. Multifamily Development
• 22:12 - COVID, Conrad & the Miami River
• 28:18 - The Making of Cipriani Residences Miami
• 36:53 - Wealth Migration & Where Mast Sees Opportunity
• 49:58 - The Business Behind Branded Residences
• 54:34 - Lessons From Building Mast Capital
• 59:52 - AI, Ambition & What Comes Next

=======================

Follow us on social media

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok⁠⁠

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Jeff Ardizon, Principal at The Estate Companies, to discuss building one of South Florida's most active multifamily developers and the roughly $500 million, 1,250-unit portfolio the firm has out for sale. Jeff traces his path from college basketball to a decade as a CPA and Tax Advisor, where relationships — not spreadsheets — built his book of business, eventually pulling him into his father-in-law Robert Suris's firm as full partner and growing it into the vertically integrated Soleste platform. They dig into deals like the Opportunity Zone play on Soleste Grand Central, which traded near $800 a square foot at the 2021 peak, and the philosophy — protect your downside, take calculated risk, never stop building relationships — that's carried him to principal of one of the state's most active developers.

===================

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 00:53 – Jeff’s Early Years & Basketball Career
• 03:43 – Building a Career in Accounting & Tax
• 12:57 – Learning How Real Estate Deals Are Structured
• 16:56 – Taking the Leap Into Real Estate
• 26:26 – Scaling From 4 Deals to 6,000+ Units
• 36:20 – How They Funded the Growth
• 39:48 – Navigating COVID & Protecting Investor Capital
• 43:27 – The Soleste Grand Central Home Run
• 50:37 – The State of the Multifamily Market
• 57:25 – South Florida’s Best Growth Markets
• 01:23:16 – Closing Advice

====================

Follow us on social media

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok⁠⁠

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Eduardo Otaola, Founder and Managing Principal of Constellation Group, to discuss building one of Coral Gables' most active development platforms from the ground up. Eduardo traces his path from a childhood in Venezuela and boarding school in DC, through an internship at UBS in London during the 2008 crash, to Georgetown's real estate finance program and an analyst seat at Deutsche Bank. He shares how a connection through Manny Diaz led him to Integra Investments, where he cut his teeth under Nelson, Victor, and Paulo before striking out on his own at 32 to found Constellation Group in 2019. They dig into the deal mechanics behind Constellation's rise — from the $12 million acquisition of 4225 Ponce that turned a Coral Gables/Coconut Grove rent arbitrage into the neighborhood's new high-watermark office building, to Cora Merrick Park and the wellness-focused HQ Residences, a partnership with Black Salmon, Machete Group, and hospitality veteran Sam Nazarian in Miami's Health District. Along the way, they cover raising capital as a first-time developer, why Coral Gables' tough entitlement process became his competitive edge, and the philosophy — trust the process, choose partners wisely, stay humble — that's carried him through it.

====================

• 00:00 — Intro
• 00:56 — Venezuela, Deutsche Bank & Finding Real Estate
• 06:56 — Moving to Miami & Joining Integraa
• 11:47 — Leaving Integra & His First $12M Office Deal
• 19:10 — Expanding into Multifamily & Office
• 28:47 — How to Start Developing on Your Own
• 38:16 — Raising Capital, Staying Afloat & Building a Track Record
• 47:11 — 4225 Ponce: Breaking Ground Without Pre-Leasing
• 54:25 — The Move into Condos & the Bet on Coral Gables
• 1:04:17 — Inside Cora & the Shift Toward Wellness
• 1:12:59 — HQ Residences, Edgewater & What’s Next
• 1:20:18 — The Health District & Constellation’s Next Projects
• 1:24:49 — Rapid Fire Questions & Closing Advice

====================

Follow us on social media

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok⁠⁠

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Patrick Murphy, CIO at Coastal Construction, to discuss building one of South Florida's largest construction companies — and his detour through Congress along the way. Patrick traces Coastal's roots from his grandfather painting radio towers in 1950s Key West to his father building Seaboard Construction (sold to Turner) and later founding Coastal around the high-end homes of Ocean Reef. He shares his own path from Deloitte to becoming the youngest member of Congress at 29, and why two terms and a Senate run left him disillusioned with a primary system that rewards polarization over problem-solving. They dig into what he's built since returning to the family business: Toggle AI, which automates construction estimating and is now used in 30+ countries; Renco, a recycled "Lego for adults" building system; and Code Comply, which uses AI to speed up permitting. Along the way, they cover bonding capacity, how GCs price mega-projects, and where robotics and AI are headed in construction.

=====================

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:08 - The Murphy Family Construction Legacy
• 9:53 - Deciding to Run for Congress at 29
• 17:00 - Why He Walked Away From Politics
• 25:02 - How Togal.AI Is Reinventing Construction
• 32:30 - The General Contracting Business, Explained
• 45:54 - Inside Coastal Construction
• 53:01 - Robots Aren't Coming for Construction Jobs
• 1:01:38 - RENCO: Building Houses Like LEGO
• 1:05:43 - Rapid-Fire Questions & Closing Advice

====================

Follow us on social media

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok⁠⁠

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Matt Baron, founder of Barron Property Group, to discuss building a multifamily development empire spanning New York and South Florida. Matt shares the story of his family's immigration from the former Soviet Union, his unconventional path from cold-calling telemarketer to Morgan Stanley top producer, and how a chance conversation reshaped his understanding of wealth and led him back to school and into real estate. They break down how Matt and his late partner built Simon Baron into a major New York development firm, the lessons learned from a costly first ground-up project, and how Barron Property Group expanded into Miami — including their large-scale projects in Hialeah and the highly anticipated Merrick Park site in Coral Gables. This episode is packed with insights on navigating market cycles, the long-term case for South Florida real estate, and the mindset required to outwork the competition and build lasting success.

===================

• 0:00 – Intro
• 00:56 – From Food Stamps to Wall Street
• 10:54 – Returning to College After Dropping Out & Breaking Into Real Estate
• 24:14 – Becoming a Principal & Founding Simon Baron
• 29:39 – Surviving the 2008 Financial Crisis
• 37:23 – How Today's Market Compares to 2008
• 43:58 – Pivoting to Ground-Up Development
• 50:58 – Expanding into Miami & Betting Big on South Florida
• 1:02:41 – What's Fueling Miami's Growth
• 1:14:05 – Advice on Outworking Everyone to Win

===================

Follow us on social media

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MDM LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Omar Morales TikTok⁠

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Gabe Navarro, co-founder of MMG Real Estate, to discuss building one of South Florida's most recognizable family business legacies — and what came after. Gabe shares the story of Navarro Discount Pharmacy, from his grandfather's first store in Little Havana to a 30-location chain his family eventually sold to CVS, and how the real estate they accumulated along the way became the foundation for what's next. They get into MMG's evolution from distressed debt buyer post-GFC to active retail developer, the unconventional move to acquire and revive Tamarack Resort in Idaho, and how Gabe approaches JVs, long-term holds, and finding deals where institutional capital hasn't crowded you out. This episode is packed with lessons on generational business, relationship-driven dealmaking, and what it takes to reinvent yourself after a major exit.

====================

AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

====================

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:55 - The Story Behind Navarro Pharmacy
• 8:03 - Discovering Real Estate
• 13:55 - Selling Navarro, Private Equity & CVS
• 22:31 - Building MMG Equity Partners After the Exit
• 34:45 - Expanding Beyond Retail Real Estate
• 43:28 - From Shopping Centers to Ski Resorts
• 59:02 - South Florida Development
• 1:04:58 - Finding Opportunities in Today's Market
• 1:11:36 - Family, Leadership & Raising the Next Generation
• 1:15:56 - Advice for Younger Self & Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Moshe Popack, a South Florida real estate investor and father of 11, to discuss building wealth through contrarian thinking, spiritual grounding, and a long-term mindset. Moshe shares his journey from New York — navigating law school, a crashed market, and three kids and no job at 29 — to amassing over 2.5 million square feet of commercial real estate across South Florida and beyond. They dig into his investment philosophy: buying distressed office, multifamily, and assisted living assets when institutions are fleeing, structuring deals with certainty, and compounding returns through refinancing. Moshe also walks through two recent contrarian office plays that generated outsized returns. But the conversation goes deeper than dealmaking — exploring spirituality, unconditional love as a leadership principle, and what 11 kids teach you about patience, empathy, and letting go of judgment. This episode is a rare look at a dealmaker who operates from the inside out.

====================

AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

====================

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:40 - Law School, Marriage & Moving to Miami
• 7:10 - Spirituality, Abundance & Entrepreneurship
• 15:37 - Turning $10,000 into a Six-Figure Profit
• 18:07 - Building a Multifamily Portfolio During the Crash
• 24:04 - The Investment Philosophy Behind His Success
• 28:44 - Finding Opportunity in Senior Housing
• 31:49 - The Workforce Housing Challenge
• 36:17 - Building Wealth by Creating Value for Others
• 41:20 - The Miramar and Atlanta Office Deals
• 49:37 - Why Certainty Wins Deals
• 51:45 - Raising 11 Children While Building a Business
• 1:00:36 - Advice to His Younger Self & Closing Thoughts

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with Sam Nazarian, founder of SBE Entertainment Group, to discuss building one of the world's most influential luxury lifestyle hospitality companies—and selling it for nearly $1 billion. Sam shares his origin story as an Iranian immigrant who grew up in Los Angeles, his early entrepreneurial ventures in telecom and real estate, and how a passion for boutique hotels led him to create SLS, Hyde, Mondrian, and a portfolio that spanned 45 hotels across nine countries. They break down the strategy behind SBE's three-pronged approach to nightlife, restaurants, and hotels, the landmark partnership with Jorge Perez that helped define modern Miami, and the mechanics of building a lifestyle brand that developers around the world wanted to attach their buildings to. This episode is packed with lessons on brand building, strategic partnerships, and what it takes to reinvent yourself after reaching the top of an industry.

====================

AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠⁠⁠⁠

====================

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:49 - From Tehran to L.A. & His First Company Exit
• 13:49 - Discovering the Boutique Hotel World
• 20:18 - Building SBE & SLS
• 27:36 - Navigating the Great Financial Crisis
• 33:29 - Partnering with Jorge Pérez & Scaling the Brand Globally
• 51:39 - Acquiring Morgans Hotel Group
• 1:00:22 - Selling SBE to Accor for $850M
• 1:17:29 - Launching The Estate & Longevity Hospitality
• 1:24:36 - HQ Hotels & the Edgewater Project
• 1:38:35 - Closing Advice

In this episode of Miami Dealmakers, Omar Morales sits down with David Martin, CEO of Terra, to discuss building one of South Florida's most influential real estate development firms. David shares the story behind his Cuban-American roots, his entrepreneurial path from a college coffee shop to launching Terra at 23, and how mentors, capital partners, and hard-won lessons shaped his approach to development. They break down Terra's strategy of going deep in a handful of neighborhoods rather than expanding geographically, along with David's philosophy on design-driven development, community impact, and why parks and green space are core to every project. This episode is packed with lessons on entrepreneurship, placemaking, and building a legacy in South Florida real estate.

====================

AI-Powered Construction Project Management Software: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.buildpass.ai/us⁠⁠⁠

====================

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:56 - From Selling a Coffee Shop to Starting Terra at 23 years old
• 6:23 - Early Projects and Learning Development From Scratch
• 9:52 - Surviving Multiple Downturns
• 15:46 - Building Relationships, Trust & the “Working CEO” Mentality
• 22:14 - Walkability, Wellness & Building Neighborhoods That Last
• 29:42 - Behind the Coconut Grove Transformation
• 36:42 - Parks, Public Space & the Five Park Vision
• 44:53 - Family and Legacy
• 50:24 - How Quantum Helped Transform Downtown Miami
• 55:31 - Why Terra Only Develops in South Florida
• 57:35 - Jungle Island, Key Biscayne & Terra’s Biggest Bets
• 1:09:12 - Favorite Markets and Closing Advice