On September 21 PROFILEmiami is set to host our largest event yet as the next installment of PROFILEmiami’s highly-regarded PROFILEconnect bespoke networking event series will bring together some of the top developers, investors, financiers and architects in Miami to discuss the state of South Florida’s real estate markets. The 'State of the Market Miami 2023 Presented by The Lighting Studio’ will feature both a residential panel and a commercial panel matched with a trendy evening soirée of bespoke networking and cocktails by E11EVEN Vodka.

The ‘Commercial RE State of the Market Panel’ will offer an immersive discussion exploring current commercial real estate markets, which asset classes are poised for growth, entertainment & hospitality, capital markets and how are they impacting commercial real estate prices and future market outlooks for multifamily, office, retail, hospitality and industrial real estate. The commercial panel brings together some of the most active developers, investors and financiers in commercial real estate, moderated by one of the leading hotel architects in Miami. Highlighted panelists include hotelier Ronny Finvarb of Finvarb Group, who is currently developing The Thompson South Beach and recently delivered the Kimpton Palomar South Beach; commercial real estate investor Robert Rivani, who has invested over $100 million into world-class restaurant and retail properties in Miami; hotel developer Alex Witkoff of Witkoff Group, who is currently redeveloping The Shore Club Hotel & Residences and Shell Bay; multifamily developer Lisette Calderon of Neology Life, whose developments include Pier 19 Residences & Marina and The Julia; leading financier Scott Wadler of Berkadia who have overseen $2.6 billion in volume and recently oversaw a $270 million loan for 152 NW 8th Street in Downtown Miami and a $215 million construction loan for Wynwood Plaza; and legendary architect Kobi Karp who has recently designed 1Hotel in Miami Beach, and Panorama Tower and The River District in Brickell.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Meet Our Panelists:

Ronny Finvarb, Principal at The Finvarb Group

Ronny Finvarb, Principal of the Finvarb Group, develops and owns award-winning hospitality projects, including multiple Marriott-branded hotels in Florida, Texas and Arizona, the Kimpton Palomar South Beach and the highly-anticipated, nearly complete Thompson South Beach, among others. Ronny also recently acquired the iconic Macy’s South Beach, the Landon Bay Harbor, including The Palm restaurant, and an assemblage in Deerfield Beach, including JB’s on the Beach, among others.

Ronny holds B.B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Miami and is a member of The Florida Bar. He previously served as Executive Director of Business & Legal Affairs for two publicly-traded companies, including a division of General Electric (NYSE: GE), and also for one of the largest privately-held media, entertainment, telecommunications, technology and consumer products organizations in the world, the Cisneros Group.

The Finvarb Group is a real estate development and investment company specializing in developing quality mixed-use hotels in premium urban locations and in emerging and underserved markets throughout the United States. The Finvarb Group owns, develops and invests in areas with strong demand growth and which appeal to both business and leisure travelers alike. The Finvarb Group's hotels are linked by a common thread of excellence, distinctiveness and a passionate commitment to deliver outstanding quality.

Ronny is an active member of YPO, the premier leadership organization of chief executives in the world. In addition, Ronny serves on the following Boards:

• Board Member of the University of Miami Master of Real Estate Development and Urbanism (MRED+U) Advisory Board

• Tulane University School of Architecture Dean’s Advisory Council

• Board Member of the University of Miami Citizens Board

• Founders Board of Mount Sinai Medical Center

Robert Rivani, CEO at Black Lion Investment Group

Robert Rivani, President of Black Lion Investment Group, is an American entrepreneur, retail entertainment innovator and real estate visionary. Born in 1990, Rivani sold his first company–a footwear business–for $150,000 when he was only a teenager. From there, he went on to participate in day trading, only to lose most of his earnings. It was this first foray into the stock market that taught him patience and deliberation when it comes to investing. During the economic downturn of 2008 and 2009, Rivani worked at his family’s property management firm. He soon realized that there were opportunities in buying, flipping and re-selling inexpensive buildings in areas in need of development. He began doing this in Georgia, and then expanded to Wisconsin, Illinois and Texas.

Over time, he would perfect his business model and the art of the 1031 exchange. Rivani became increasingly interested in finding vacant or abandoned sites and transforming them into thriving retail and entertainment destinations. Throughout each process, Rivani always made it a goal to create ways to benefit the community. In 2014, Rivani created Black Lion Investment Group. He named it Black Lion because he feels he is the trend-bucking black sheep of the real estate world, and the lion is his favorite animal. To date, the company has transacted on over $500 million in real estate deals across the United States. Year over year, Rivani and Black Lion have consistently doubled their growth.

“I’m not your typical developer and owner, and never wanted to be. We have strong ambitions as a company, and are not afraid to take risks in this burgeoning new climate for entertainment and lifestyle real estate. As we begin to expand our portfolio, we are going to change the way it's done. I don’t follow trends. I want to set them to ensure future success,” says Robert Rivani.

Rivani sees the overlap of retail, entertainment and dining as a new frontier in real estate. Inspired by Miami’s high energy lifestyle, Black Lion presently focuses on entertainment-focused endeavors spanning from Brickell, Edge Water, Downtown, South Beach and all ever-expanding social scenes in South Florida. Through his company, Rivani has recently acquired the restaurant SLS Brickell, SLS LUX tower featuring the hot new restaurant Gekko with famed restaurateur David Grutman, Amara at Paraiso, One Thousand Museum, One Ocean, Marea and Continuum– all high profile restaurant spaces.

Furthermore, Rivani also has also developed a one of a kind property located in the heart of Wynwood, Miami’s famed creative hub. He acquired the property Wynwood Jungle to achieve this dream by dynamically changing the façade, look and feel of the center including building a 10,000 SF rooftop, all of which garnished 100% occupancy within 12 months of acquisition.

Rivani plans to invest another $100+ million into South Florida in the next year, as companies and individuals alike continue to relocate to the area from across the country. Rivani’s plans are certainly not limited to South Florida as Black Lion Investment Group has owned properties in 14 states. A historical and current profitable business model continues to be the retail power centers. Black Lion Investment Group currently owns a 300K+ SF center in New Jersey and a 100K SF center in Arizona. An early riser and a dedicated athlete (namely tennis and basketball), Rivani credits his disciplined routine for part of his success. His interests in life include spending time with his wife, traveling the world, and enjoying culinary adventures. Rivani has recently enjoyed his move to make Miami his primary home.

Alex Witkoff, Co-CEO at Witkoff Group

Alex Witkoff is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Witkoff’s development activities and operations from strategic development and conceptualization through execution. During his tenure at Witkoff, he has earned a reputation for consistently executing creative strategies across diverse asset classes. He is a key driver behind Witkoff’s mission to create dynamic, multi-faceted spaces that connect people and enrich their communities.

Among other projects, Mr. Witkoff is currently overseeing the development of One Highline, which features 236 residences and a flagship 120 key Faena New York hotel in Manhattan’s West Chelsea neighborhood; the former Diplomat golf club into a private golf club designed by Greg Norman, 100 branded residences, and a boutique hotel; 700 North Miami Avenue, a transit led residential development adjacent to MiamiCentral Station and Miami World Center; the revitalization of the historic Shore Club in Miami Beach; and The Park Santa Monica, a new neighborhood concept in Downtown Santa Monica that combine residential towers, retail, and public spaces. In all cases, Mr. Witkoff created a holistic vision for a new brand that inspires and informs every facet of property development, from architectural and design treatments to amenities and experiences.

In addition to his Witkoff role, Mr. Witkoff serves on the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami. Mr. Witkoff is also a part of Milken Institute’s Young Leaders Circle, which recognizes intellectually curious and philanthropic young professionals, and is a member of United Way’s Tocqueville Society.

Prior to joining the company, Mr. Witkoff honed his expertise in real estate and private equity as a real estate investing analyst at Morgan Stanley.

Mr. Witkoff graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, where he received a B.S. in Economics with a concentration in Finance and Real Estate.

Lissette Calderon, CEO at Neology Life

Lissette Calderon is founder and CEO of Neology Life Development Group, a lifestyle-driven residential and commercial real estate firm that specializes in the transformation of undervalued communities into sought-after neighborhoods. Calderon’s rapid rise in South Florida’s highly competitive real estate industry began with her ability to see the potential in overlooked waterfront land along the Miami River, and more recently, the Allapattah neighborhood.

In 2002, with the introduction of her pioneering and trend setting loft-style residential building NeoLofts, and her subsequent building concepts Neo Vertika and Wind by Neo, Calderon is credited with transforming the Miami River District into one of the city’s hippest, most sought-after neighborhoods. With her most recent project on the Miami River, the 199-unit Pier 19 Residences & Marina, Calderon solidified her reputation as the “Queen of the Miami River” and one of South Florida’s most visionary developers.

Today, Calderon is spearheading the revival of another historic Miami neighborhood: Allapattah. Neology completed its first Allapattah residential community in 2021: the 192-unit No. 17 Residences Allapattah. The firm’s second and third Allapattah projects –The Julia, a 323-unit mixed-use apartment and retail project named after Miami’s founding mother Julia Tuttle, and Fourteen Allapattah Residences, delivering 237 apartments to NW 36th Street – will deliver in early 2024. Further up the Miami River– across the street from the future site of Miami Freedom Park – Calderon’s firm is also developing a new 1,200-unit mixed-use, waterfront community on seven acres of land, scheduled to break ground in late 2024.

Neology’s current ownership portfolio consists of 1,200+ apartments recently built or under construction in Miami’s urban core, with another 1,600 apartment units in the predevelopment phase and a pipeline of 2,000 additional units in South Florida and beyond. Combined with 2,000 condo units previously built and sold, this represents a multifamily portfolio of nearly $2 billion.

A first-generation Cuban American, Calderon was born and raised in Miami and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree Cum Laude from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She launched her career in real estate at the Related Group, where she eventually was appointed president.

Calderon serves on The University of Miami’s Master of Real Estate Development + Urbanism Advisory Board and is also on the Advisory Board of the SE Florida/ Caribbean Urban Land Institute (ULI) and a member of the International Women’s Forum of Florida. Calderon is involved in numerous community organizations including Amigos for Kids, a nonprofit organization serving the needs of South Florida’s abused, abandoned, and neglected children. She also sits on the Board of the SAM Elimu Charity, an organization that supports the education and lives of children in poverty with high academic potential in Kenya. Today, the organization supports the lives and education of 140 children, including dozens of orphans. Calderon is also the publisher of a lifestyle magazine focused on the Allapattah neighborhood – AllaWay – which she launched in 2022.

Calderon has a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and is an equestrian enthusiast. She and her husband live in Coral Gables with their three daughters and three dogs.

Scott Wadler, Managing Director at Berkadia

Scott Wadler is a Managing Director in the Miami office of Berkadia. He is primarily responsible for originating debt and equity placement transactions throughout the southeastern United States, focused across multiple asset classes including office, retail, residential, and lodging. Recent transactions include a $270 million loan for 152 NW 8th Street in Downtown Miami, a $215 million construction loan for Wynwood Plaza, a $165 million debt fund loan at The Dorsey Miami and $50 million of LP equity for Block 45 in Downtown Miami.

Prior to joining Berkadia, Scott was with HFF for ten years. Before joining at HFF, Scott held positions at Related Group of Florida and Fortune International, two of the largest residential developers in Florida.

Moderator: Kobi Karp, CEO of 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.

About PROFILEconnect: State of the Market Miami 2023 Presented by The Lighting Studio

On September 21 PROFILEmiami is set to host our largest event yet as the next installment of PROFILEmiami’s highly-regarded PROFILEconnect bespoke networking event series will delve into the 'State of the Market Miami 2023 Presented by The Lighting Studio’. The experience will feature two panels featuring some of the biggest players in Miami’s real estate industry as they discuss the state of Miami’s commercial and residential real estate markets, matched with a trendy evening soirée of bespoke networking and cocktails.

Immerse yourself in Wynwood’s high-energy atmosphere at the luxurious Eclectic Elements Showroom for bespoke networking and cocktails highlighted by two engaging panels exploring the ‘Residential State of the Market’ & ‘Commercial RE State of the Market’. The relaxed and open PROFILEconnect setting provides an amazing opportunity to network with Miami’s top industry leaders and market makers, continuing post-panel with cocktails by E11EVEN Vodka and sounds by local Miami-based DJ DAKAP.

PROFILEconnect brings together Miami’s real estate industry and business professionals to network and connect outside of a business setting. PROFILEconnect is attended by Miami’s top investors, developers, business professionals, brokers, financiers, architects and designers. Guests will have the opportunity to network and share their experiences in South Florida through thoughtful discourse, while forging new relationships with industry leaders.

Thank you to our Sponsors: