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 and brokers 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 ‘Residential State of the Market’ Panel will explore pricing and availability across South Florida, luxury real markets, new developments, where are the buyers coming from, factors impacting pricing and demand, mortgages and future market outlook. The residential panel features some of the top names in Miami’s residential real estate game, bringing togethers panelists with a combined $3+ billion of real estate currently under development and leading the three largest real estate brokerages, having overseen a combined $5+ billion in transactions since 2020. Panelists include Edgardo Defortuna of Fortune International Group, the developer of St. Regis Residences, Sunny Isles Beach; Gil Dezer, the developer behind Bentley Residences Miami and Porsche Design Tower; Jay Phillip Parker, CEO of Douglas Elliman FL; Daniel de la Vega of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty; Nelson Stabile, Principal of Integra Investments and co-developer of St. Regis Residences, Miami; moderated by Simon Mass of The Condo Store.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Meet Our Panelists:

Edgardo Defortuna, CEO & Founder of Fortune International Group

Edgardo Defortuna is President, CEO and Founder of Fortune International Group, a Miami-based full- service real estate firm recognized throughout South Florida, Latin America and Europe as a leader in high-end luxury real estate. He oversees all of the company’s activities across all of its business units. Edgardo is involved with the strategic decision making of the group, as well as the day-to-day operations of each of its divisions.

He started the business in 1983, and quickly became a driving force in real estate. Through his company’s success and far reach into U.S., European and Latin American markets, Edgardo is widely recognized for having made a significant contribution to the internationalization of Miami and its reputation as a global business, trade and vacation hub.

Edgardo is currently developing the St. Regis Residences, Sunny Isles Beach; ORA X Casa Tua in Brickell; the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Pompano Beach; and Nexo Residences in North Miami Beach, amongst others. He has been one of the preeminent developers in Sunny Isles Beach and Brickell, having delivered Jade Signature; The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Sunny Isles Beach; Jade Beach; Jade Ocean; Jade Brickell; and Fortune House, amongst others.

Daniel de la Vega, President, ONE Sotheby’s International Realty

As President of ONE Sotheby’s International Realty, Daniel de la Vega has been instrumental in building the brand along Florida’s East Coast since the affiliate was founded in 2008. The leading luxury brokerage now operates across Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River, Brevard and Duval counties with 30 offices and over 1,300 associates who generate annual sales in excess of $8.1 billion. Daniel applies his background in finance and marketing to manage a property portfolio totaling $7 billion-plus in both new, luxury condo developments and existing listing inventory. Being immersed in real estate for most of his life, including more than 15 years as a professional broker, Daniel holds unique insight into mastering real estate deals and building relationships throughout the globe. He regularly travels the world, from Latin America to Europe and throughout the U.S., in order to expand ONE Sotheby’s International Realty’s network and form partnerships that better serve the company’s distinguished clients. These efforts have been vital to fortifying the company’s local reach and worldwide presence.

Daniel has a great appreciation for the convergence of real estate, art, design and culture, qualities that are synonymous with the vibrancy of South Florida and the Sotheby’s brand. He is an avid art collector, with more than 100 works in his growing collection, and is active in the art community as a Board of Trustee Member at the Pérez Art Museum and a past member of The National Young Arts Foundation and Guggenheim Photo Committee. He is also a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization. A native of Miami, Daniel earned a finance and marketing degree from Florida International University, where he served on the Leadership Advisory Board for the College of Architecture and The Arts, and he holds a Master’s in Business Administration from University of Miami, where he serves on the board of the University of Miami’s School of Law Real Property Development LL.M Board.

Gil Dezer, President of Dezer Properties

One of the youngest developers of luxury high-rise residential and condo-hotel properties in the United States, Gil Dezer has been instrumental in changing the face and value of South Florida real estate. He has earned wide recognition as a key developer at the forefront of the luxury brand partnership real estate trend and continues to actively partner with major brands to further spotlight South Florida to buyers globally.

Most recently, Gil announced his partnership with Bentley Motors to construct the first ever Bentley Residences, 200-plus oceanfront residences which will launch sales later this year. Standing at 749 feet and over 60 stories high, the property will be the tallest residential tower on a U.S. beachfront.

Other Dezer Development oceanfront projects include the first-ever Residences by Armani/Casa tower in partnership with the iconic fashion and furnishings designer, Giorgio Armani. Developed in partnership with the Related Group, the project recently achieved its $1 billion sellout. Gil also partnered with Porsche Design Group to deliver Porsche Tower, a 60-story ultra-luxury tower showcasing a one-of-a-kind Patented robotic parking system known as the “Dezervator,” which allows owners to park their vehicles in ‘sky garages’ directly next to their units. Gil also led the Trump Organization’s first foray into the South Florida real estate market through the successful development of Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences and Trump Towers.

Notable future projects include the Intracoastal Mall, which will bring 2,000 residences, 375,000 square feet of retail, 200,000 square feet of office, a hotel, harbor and park to the Miami waterfront site, transforming the nearly 30-acre property.

Gil holds a Florida real estate license and is the past president and Chairman Emeritus of the Developers & Builders Alliance (DBA), one of the world’s largest development and construction organizations. He is a past recipient of the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s R.E.A.L. Award for Residential Real Estate – Condominiums, and has taken home the Platinum Personal Achievement Award for Sales Director of the Year for Trump Grande Ocean Resort & Residences for three years in a row at the annual Florida’s BEST Awards.

Active in the community, Gil holds several positions including co-founder of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation; Young President of the Miami Heart Institute; and member of Florida Friends of Israeli Defense Forces (FFIDF); Project Cradle in Miami; WIZO Florida; and One Family Fund Organization.

Jay Phillip Parker, CEO of Douglas Elliman Florida

Real estate industry leader and veteran, Jay Phillip Parker has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Brokerage for Douglas Elliman’s Florida region since 2013. He is also President of Douglas Elliman Development Marketing, Florida.

Responsible for the advancement of a leading provider of luxury real estate services across Florida, he has successfully grown Douglas Elliman’s presence in markets from Miami to Jupiter to Palm Beach, St. Petersburg, Ponte Vedra and Naples with a total of 27 offices and more than 1,300 agents.

Jay has been a key figure in the growth of the brand, which is now represented in luxury real estate markets in 53 countries and six continents through its partnership with London-based Knight-Frank Residential.

A graduate of the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada, Jay completed the study abroad program in Tel Aviv, Israel while earning his bachelor’s degree. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law in May of 1998. A member of the Florida Bar Association, Jay serves on the Board of Governors for the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce, as President of the Executive Board of Mt. Sinai Medical Center Foundation and a member of the Miami Association of Realtors Leadership Board.

Nelson Stabile, Principal of Integra Investments

Nelson Stabile was raised in a town in the Brazil Amazon and moved to South Florida when he was 15 years old. As one of Integra Investment’s founders, he understands the ins and out of real estate development, bringing a well-rounded perspective to a diverse portfolio. Nelson oversees the company’s accounting and finance, underwriting, construction, and risk management.

With more than 20 years of experience, Nelson is enthralled by real estate development, having been involved in the industry throughout his career. His market insight and expertise has led him to spearhead the company’s expansion into alternative investment classes.

Adept in construction, Nelson previously served as business director for South Pointe Construction & Development Co., leading the consulting and custom projects department for notable residences, including Sole on the Ocean and Symphony Towers.

In 2022, Nelson was appointed president of the Builders Association of South Florida. He is also an active member of Urban Land Institute and the Brazilian American Chamber of Commerce.

Nelson earned a Master’s Degree in Engineering and Construction Management from Florida International University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in International Finance and Marketing, from the University of Miami. He is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Moderator: Simon Mass, CEO of The Condo Store

Simon co-founded a ten-person boutique firm in 2004 that evolved into The Condo Store that now proudly hosts over fifty team members and more than 300 sophisticated high-net-worth clients from around the globe. Often recognized in Toronto as the architect of the pre-construction condo investment sector, with over $10 billion in transactions and a reputation that spans across North America as the creator of the bulk condo investment space.

It is common knowledge that condo investments have been the highest grossing asset class over the past 25 years in Toronto. Consistent deal flow isn’t based on luck but rather, it comes from the strong relationships garnered with Canada’s largest and most prestigious developers. These high-level personal connections allow TCS clients to have an advantage in the sector and ensures investing into a real estate project is not like throwing a dart and wishing for the best.

Simon has long-term relationships with hundreds of clients that include doctors, medical practitioners and business professionals across Canada. These clients account for over $500 million in annual investments. Simon’s long-standing relationships with leading developers continues to fuel The Condo Store’s investment engine.

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’ & ‘CRE 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: