PROFILEMiami had the exclusive opportunity to sit down with real estate developer and philanthropist Alirio Torrealba, whose projects have continued the legacy of Coral Gables founder, George Merrick, and his vision for “The City Beautiful.”
Born in Caracas, Venezuela and graduated from the University of Santa Maria, Alirio Torrealba has a Law Degree with business experience in the automotive industry. From an early age he began to buy and sell used vehicles becoming an automotive agent and that is how he began his professional career in 1989 when he opened the doors of Western Motors, his first car dealership in Caracas, Venezuela.
Due to its success in the automotive industry, he could establish himself in the field and in 1992, Multimarca Automotive Group was born, originally venturing into the purchase, sale, and consignment of new and used vehicles. This experience allowed him access to the representation of important brands such as Kia, Ford, Fiat, among others. Part of his achievements with Multitarca include the positioning of the company as one of the main companies in Venezuela, dominating a large percentage of the market in the country, the growth of branches reaching more than 10, and the expansion of the product line since this experience in the Venezuelan market guided him to venture into the purchase and sale of urban buses. For 10 years (2000-2010) his focus was the automotive industry, always looking for new opportunities and exploring different ways to improve his business. It is because of this vision and desire to improve that in 2010 he was seeking to exploit different markets and develop in Puerto Rico, still under the umbrella of Multimarca Group, Alirio introduced the Kia brand to Bayamón and Humacao, Puerto Rico, strengthening its presence on the island.
Alirio Torrealba and Diego Torrealba
In 2010 he began to participate in small real estate investments in Miami, generating an interest in the real estate business in Florida. Alirio moved to Miami in 2013 and in 2014 he began to look for opportunities with the desire to develop in the city. Motivated to find the perfect moment, he was presented with an open door in Coral Gables to build a boutique building in a very central area where developments did not exist, thus becoming the pioneers of development in Coral Gables.
Completely changing his business model and going from working with cars to working in the real estate world, he decides to open a development company, MG Developer, where he is currently the CEO. The company takes over its first project in 2015, which brought interest within the community, giving rise to new acquisition opportunities. From that year to the present date, MG Developer has managed to build and fully deliver eight projects that have generated a highly positive impact on the community.
Carrying with him the values that formed him, he also attaches great importance to corporate social responsibility and that is why he is an active ally of Fundahigado, where his company, MG Developer, is part of this international non-profit organization. Alirio shows his sense of human sensitivity by supporting professional training and development scholarships for children and youth from poor areas throughout Venezuela. In addition, in contribution to "City Beautiful" as Coral Gables is known, Alirio works in ties to promote Art and Culture.
PROFILEmiami recently caught up with Alirio following the groundbreaking of his new Coral Gables project, The Village at Coral Gables, to see how he built MG Developer into one of the fastest growing development firms in Miami and is continuing George Merrick’s original vision developing “The City Beautiful”:
PROFILEmiami [PM]: Tell us about your background, how did you get involved in real estate?
Alirio Torrealba [AT]: I arrived in Miami 8 years ago and was able to connect with the real estate industry. I got involved quickly and began to look at development options in the City of Coral Gables. The City was welcoming since day 1 and now I can say I feel at home here. It offers a very unique lifestyle and we found the perfect niche to create and develop unique projects that could continue to add value to Coral Gables.
Alirio Torrealba at the Groundbreaking of The Village at Coral Gables
PM: What was your first real estate development project?
AT: Our first development project was Biltmore Parc, 32 exclusive condominium residences.
PM: What is your development philosophy?
AT: Nothing beats good teamwork.
PM: You've made a name for yourself transforming Coral Gables residential real estate, can you tell us about your first involvement in the neighborhood and some of your previous projects?
AT: Biltmore Parc at the time gave us great visibility and exposure within the city of Coral Gables because it had been a long time since anything new was built in the city, this opened the doors and connected us with the neighboring people and from there arose new opportunities to buy land around that project.
The Village at Coral Gables
PM: You recently started the construction of The Village at Coral Gables, tell us about this project?
AT: Built in the classic enclave of Coral Gables, the new Village at Coral Gables Collections revives the legacy of the City’s first architectural icon. Inspired by George Merrick’s Spanish architecture, The Village at Coral Gables reflects the community’s past and present vision—”The Village Project”—and offers 48 residences that are perfectly at home in their tropical surroundings. Here, timeless architecture and meticulously selected finishes are inspired by both the past and present, harmonizing with Coral Gables’ lush environment to create a one-of-a-kind experience. Residences range from two-bedroom flats to four-bedroom townhomes, we also offer Lofts and Villas.
PM: What is your perspective on the real estate market in Miami amid a changing economic environment and rising interest rates?
AT: Real estate in Miami has consolidated and stabilized. We are now in a market of stable prices, there is no longer a high trend, and my position is that with such a market it is still an opportunity to buy because when interest rates go down there will be a lot of demand and prices will rise. I think that with the issue of the interest rates, even being high is a good time to buy because prices have been maintained.
$600 Million ‘Metro Center’ Mixed-Use Development in Hialeah which is being developed by MG Developer and Baron Property Group
PM: What's the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome in your career?
AT: In my career as a developer, the biggest challenge has always been finding land to do major projects. Especially the localization of land in Coral Gables because there is not much left here so whenever we have had the chance to acquire land in the city, we take it as a great opportunity that we do not want to miss. It is the biggest effort and the one that takes more time in the process of development.
PM: What's the most important thing you've learned throughout your career?
AT: I have learned that it takes faith, perseverance, and a lot of dedication to achieve objectives.
PM: You are extremely active in the world of arts; can you tell us about your passion and relationship with art?
AT: I am a promoter of art and I like to support emerging artists to develop. I like our projects to have an art component since it is a fundamental part of the lifestyle that we promote in the city.
Alirio Torrealba and his family
PM: You are very involved in the Coral Gables community, what are some of the philanthropic initiatives you have undertaken?
AT: We are very involved in the Coral Gables Community Foundation, and I always try to support their work. We also participate in the Coral Gables Museum and in general we like to participate in activities from the city because by being involved we can help the Coral Gables evolve. At the end of the day, I try to follow what has always been part of my work philosophy, which is sharing with others, working with generosity, and always trying to give one’s best.
PM: Describe your perfect Saturday night in Miami?
AT: A night out to dinner with my family in one of the many amazing places Miami has to offer.
PM: Where do we find you on your day off?
AT: Not necessarily a day off, but I always look for free time to enjoy a while running on the beach and disconnect for a second, following a healthy lifestyle.
Daniel De La Vega of ONEsir, Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, & Alirio Torrealba