Miami, FL – May 5, 2016 – It was a night of celebrating the old school versus new school as Miami’s most notorious real estate tycoons were joined by their family industry successors in a first-of-its-kind panel discussion on the South Florida market from two generational perspectives. At center stage in Brickell’s El Tucán were panelists: Related Group’s Jorge Pérez and son Jon Paul Pérez; Dezer Development’s Michael Dezer and son Gil Dezer; and Crescent Heights’ Russell Galbut and nephew Keith Menin of Menin Hospitality. The evening, entitled “The Next Genesis of Miami Real Estate,” was hosted by World Red Eye along with Perrier-Jouët and Tequila Avión. The occasion served as the second edition of the acclaimed World Red Eye Cultural Exchanges Series.

More than 500 VIP’s and real estate heavy hitters attended to hear the panel in which South Florida’s real estate magnates discussed passing their legacies to the new generation of power. Participants exchanged views on various topics, including the changing city skyline, while sharing personal experiences about achieving their “big break,” lessons learned through their first jobs, and how the successors differ in their approach to business, while still adopting the visionary qualities of their family patriarchs.

When discussing Miami’s transformation from a faded resort destination to an internationally-renowned city, Jorge Pérez said, “The growth we’ve experienced is greater than any metropolis in the last three decades.” His son, Jon Paul Pérez, also noted that he has enjoyed “creating and seeing neighborhoods change. I connect with the neighborhoods that attract me, and love to play an integral role in their next phase.”

The event was moderated by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Alfred Spellman (“Cocaine Cowboys,” “Square Grouper,” “The U”) and progressive real estate developer Avra Jain (pioneering MiMo Miami’s transformation and owner of the Vagabond Hotel). Goldman Properties CEO, Jessica Goldman, daughter of the late Tony Goldman, opened the event with a heartwarming tribute to her father.

“I am humbled by the success of the second edition of the Cultural Exchanges Series, which celebrated and paid tribute to one of Miami’s most significant industries — real estate,” said Browarnik. “These real estate luminaries provided the audience with a glimpse of how they rose to fame and their plans to continue family legacies, while staying true to their personalities and humor throughout the discussion.”

WRE Cultural Exchanges Series launched in 2015 with the inaugural panel paying tribute to “The Influence of Nightlife on the Modern Renaissance of Miami.” The Series was founded to ignite conversations surrounding the “Magic City’s” famed industries and economic drivers, including nightlife, real estate, art and design, and fashion, which have all been chronicled through the lens of WRE for decades.

I am humbled by the success of the second edition of the Cultural Exchanges Series, which celebrated and paid tribute to one of Miami’s most significant industries — real estate.

Seth Browarnik, Founder of World Red Eye

Around our dinner table we talked about mortgages, finance, tendencies, joined ventures, art, architecture, preservation, hospitality and customer service. It has been that way my entire life, where business was a way of life, it wasn’t just a job.

Jessica Goldman, CEO of Goldman Properties

Developers have transformed a steaming swamp filled with alligators and mosquitos into a thriving metropolis in just over 100 years.

Alfred Spellman

The growth we’ve experienced is greater than any metropolis in the last three decades.

Jorge Pérez, Chairman and CEO of The Related Group

Miami Beach really underwent a transition. Part of it was that the world started looking at South Florida differently; it was the climate, weather, people that were here, and it was the opportunity for change. Also, everybody loves a beautiful beach.

Russell Galbut, Managing Principal of Crescent Heights

They used to call me the loft king because I used to buy the lofts like pac man; one building after the other.

Michael Dezer, Founder of Dezer Development

My dad is the captain, but I am the navigator; I find a way on how to go where he wants to go.

Gil Dezer, President of Dezer Development

We look at our hospitality business as art. We have a blank canvas, whether it be a building for a hotel or an empty space for a restaurant, then we create it from A-Z.

Keith Menin, Principal of Menin Hospitality

I think some of the differences between my father and I is that when I see a place like Wynwood, I see it develop and appeal to me more as a youth. I can see myself hanging out, going to lunch, dinner, bars, shopping, and more as opposed to my father, who mostly did more of the high rise development.

Jon Paul Pérez, Co-Vice President of The Related Group

GALLERY SLIDER

World Red Eye Cultural Exchanges Speaker Series: The Next Genasis of Miami Real Estate Private Dinner Presented by Perrier-Jouët & Tequila Avión

Following the successful talk, Miami’s top developers, tastemakers, philanthropists and business leaders gathered at one of the city’s most sought-after dining establishments, Marion, to enjoy an exceptional evening to experience a curated celebration of the art of tequila hosted by Seth Browarnik and Nelson Giacometto. Guests began the evening sipping on specialty cocktails from Tequila Avión such as the Avión Lemonade and the Añejo Sour. Brand Director, Walid Hamid, led the intimate crowd through a journey of the three master marques of the Collection: Avión SIlver, Avión Añejo, and Avión Reposado. Each of the variants were paired with hand-picked menu items, including a delectable feast of Marion’s Seafood Platter of oysters, shrimp, and mussels, Paella, and a Three Layers Chocolate Cake. The pinnacle of the dinner featured a tasting of Avión’s Reserva 44, an extra añejo tequila aged for fourty-four months.

https://vimeo.com/165650567