On Tuesday, April 25th, PROFILEmiami teamed up with Oasis Wynwood, E11EVEN Vodka, Oak Row Equities, Kobi Karp, Torose Equities, Morabito Properties and Brick & Timber Collective to host PROFILEconnect: The Evolution of Wynwood From Arts District to Vibrant Global Tech Hub. PROFILEconnect is PROFILEmiami’s high-end bespoke networking event series, bringing together Miami’s real estate and business leaders for an evening soirée of networking and cocktails, while hearing from the top developers and investors transforming Wynwood into a vibrant, global tech and business hub. Guests enjoyed cocktails by E11EVEN Vodka, and beats by Miami-based DJ DAKAP, sustainable water by KOPU Water, as well as sushi and churros by Sushi OG, Papi Churro and Miss Crispy Rice.
The panel was led by legendary Wynwood-based architect Kobi Karp and featured Erik Rutter, the developer of Oasis Wynwood and The Wynwood Plaza; Scott Sherman, co-developer of The Dorsey Wynwood and an active Wynwood investor; Valerio Morabito, developer of the mixed-use office development Wyncatcher; and Jesse Feldman, Managing Partner of the San Francisco-based Brick & Timber Collective who has invested over $100 million into the Wynwood office market and is a leading tech unicorn and VC landlord. The evening was hosted by PROFILEmiami Co-Founders Demetri Demascus and Katya Demina with Erik Rutter and David Weitz of Oak Row Equities.
The evening was attended by an exclusive group of top real estate industry leaders and executives including Michael Comras, Miguel Pinto, Kobi Karp, Nancy Karp, Jordan Karp, Cullen Mahoney, Scott Sherman, David Eyzenberg, Valerio Morabito, Erik Rutter, David Weitz and Jesse Feldman, amongst others. Guests had the opportunity to network and share their experiences developing and investing in South Florida through thoughtful discourse, while forging new relationships with senior executives.
The event was sponsored by E11EVEN Vodka, KOPU Water, Eyzenberg & Co., Cosentino, Odyssey Retail Advisors, Disruptive Real Estate, Colliers and University of Miami Herbert Business School.
PROFILEconnect brings together Miami’s real estate industry and business professionals to network and connect outside of a business setting and is attended by Miami’s top investors, developers, business professionals, brokers, financiers, architects and designers. Guests had the opportunity to network and share their experiences in South Florida through thoughtful discourse, while forging new relationships with industry leaders. Stay tuned for more information on the next editions of PROFILEconnect in the works, “Hospitality in Real Estate” and “Branded Residences”.
PROFILEmiami Co-Founder Demetri Demascus
Why Wynwood?
To escape high rents, many companies are relocating to Class A buildings in Downtown Miami and Wynwood. These buildings accounted for 44% of the entire market’s absorption in the first quarter of 2022. Wynwood has dominated new development in office product over the past two years.
Tenants relocating to these submarkets are looking for buildings with Class A amenities, such as conferencing facilities, fitness centers (with showers), cafés or restaurants and updated finishes in the common areas. Proximity to restaurants and shopping, as well as easy access to Interstate 95, and other lifestyle considerations are also important factors.
Panelists
Erik Rutter
Managing Partner, Oak Row Equities
Erik Rutter is a Co-Founder of Oak Row Equities. Prior to founding the company, Erik worked at Tishman Speyer, where he worked in the New York acquisitions group, the Brazil portfolio management group, and the New York asset management group. Most notably, Erik oversaw the redevelopment efforts of Rockefeller Center.
Erik currently serves as the Chairman and Founder of the NextGen board of Next Autism – where, together with the larger board, he has raised over $10 million benefiting programs and schools that help Autistic children live better lives today. Erik also sits on the Wynwood Design Review Committee, which ensures that new developments in Wynwood are compatible with the cultural and architectural character of the Wynwood Arts District.
Since its inception, Oak Row Equities has acquired more than $1 billion of assets and is under development on more than 3 million square feet of class-AAA real estate. Oak Row Equities recently developed Oasis Wynwood and are currently developing The Wynwood Plaza, 2600 Biscayne and a Boutique Office Development in Miami Design District.
Scott Sherman
Managing Partner, Torose Equities
Scott Sherman is Managing Partner of Torose Equities where he is responsible for strategic direction, sourcing investment opportunities, capital markets and operations for the firm. He recently co-developed The Dorsey in Wynwood with Related Group.
Prior to launching Torose, Scott co-founded Tricera Capital where he led the charge on strategic direction, capital markets and sourcing investment opportunities. In this role, Scott built a portfolio in excess of $700M over five years and consistently delivered returns in excess of 20% IRR and a 2x multiple across realized investments. Scott maintains ownership and major decisions across the Tricera portfolio and continues to be a minority owner of Tricera Capital. Prior to Tricera, Scott was Vice President of Acquisitions at Thor Equities where he completed in excess of $2 Billion of acquisitions focusing on urban retail and mixed-use assets.
Valerio Morabito
CEO & Managing Director, Morabito Properties
Valerio Morabito is the CEO and Managing Director of Morabito Properties, a real estate development firm based in Miami, has established himself as one of the most unique developers of recent years. Possessing a rare passion for design as well as detail, Morabito's growing portfolio includes the transformation of grand historic properties from New York to Miami, as well as some of Miami's most unique beachfront residences and adaptive-reuse projects in the eclectic Wynwood. With a European eye for detail and an innately Italian flair for style, he is passionate about design and its potential to transform the way people live, work and play he is committed to the creation of original, functional spaces with a life and character all of their own.
Jesse Feldman
Managing Partner, Brick & Timber Collective
Jesse Feldman is Managing Partner at the San Francisco-based Brick & Timber Collective. Led by founder Glenn Gilmore and managing partner Jesse Feldman, Brick & Timber is a developer and real estate manager. It has a portfolio of roughly 300,000 square feet of offices worth over $300 million in the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California and Miami.
In Wynwood Brick & Timber Collective acquired The Annex for $49 million as they entered the South Florida market. They also acquired an office and retail building on NW First Ave. and acquired the Cube Wynwd for $60 million.
Moderator:
Kobi Karp
Principal, Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design
Kobi Karp is the Founder and Principal of the Wynwood-based Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design, Inc (KKAID), a full-service architectural and interior design firm providing a vast array of services, ranging from high-rise condominium and hospitality projects to low-rise residential and commercial structures. His restoration design techniques have contributed to a renaissance Miami Beach’s internationally recognized Art Deco District. Kobi’s designs include the Kimpton Palomar South Beach, The Four Seasons at The Surf Club, Palazzo Del Sol Fisher Island and the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale.
Hosts & Sponsors
FUTURE EVENT SPONSORSHIP
Would your brand like to generate exposure and connect directly with the attendees at PROFILEconnect? PROFILEmiami provides the opportunity via a selection of Sponsorship Packages. Contact us today to inquire about future event Sponsorship Opportunities.
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