On May 21 PROFILEmiami is set to take over the iconic Art Deco landmark and Miami hot spot, QUEEN to bring you an exclusive cocktail and exciting panel discussing hospitality real estate with Miami’s top developers and owners Ronny Finvarb - Finvarb Group, Michael Simkins - E11EVEN Partners / Lion Development, Mathieu Massa - Mr. Hospitality / QUEEN, Alex Witkoff - Witkoff, Robert Rivani - Black Lion Investment Group and moderated by Christian Charre - Berkadia Hotels & Hospitality. The panelists will explore investing in, developing and operating commercial real estate assets with a focus on hospitality including hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, private clubs, golf courses, etc.
Attendees will sip custom cocktails by E11EVEN Vodka, Bennati Wine Esquisito Tequila and Tripping Animals brewing plus indulge in bites of modern Japanese cuisine by Queen’s executive chef Mitchell Hess, while taking in QUEEN’s opulent ambiance, followed by a panel discussion. This is not just a networking event; it's an experience.
Date: Tuesday, May 21 from 5 - 8 PM
Location: Queen Miami Beach, 550 Washington Ave., Miami Beach
Panelists:
Mathieu Massa, Mr. Hospitality / Queen
Michael Simkins, E11EVEN Partners / Lion Development
Alex Witkoff, Witkoff
Robert Rivani, Black Lion Investment Group
Ronny Finvarb, Finvarb Group
Christian Charre, Berkadia Hotels & Hospitality (Moderator)
Michael Simkins, E11EVEN Partners & Lion Development Group
Michael Simkins in an owner of E11EVEN Miami with E11EVEN Partners as well is developer of E11EVEN Hotel & Residences, E11EVEN Residences Beyond, West Eleven Residences. and Midtown 1, amongst others. Michael Simkins is one of the largest property owners in Miami and is leading the redevelopment of several distinct neighborhoods in South Florida. This includes executing on the transformation of Park West, Overtown, Allapathah and Miami Beach. He specializes in world-class development and redevelopment projects in 24-hour communities centered on the intersection of entertainment, technology, culture, and the arts. Mr. Simkins is highly respected for supporting collaborative, community-based projects that drive sustainable economic growth and bring global visibility to the region. He has been particularly successful at identifying hospitality needs in diverse neighborhoods and then incubating, financing and owning those businesses. Mr. Simkins attended the University of Miami, where he received a degree in finance. He obtained a law degree from Brooklyn Law School and practiced real estate law at Akerman Senterfitt until 2007 when he decided to pursue his passion for real estate, investments and hospitality.
Michael Simkins’ E11EVEN Hotel & Residences & E11EVEN Residences Beyond
Mathieu Massa, President & CEO, Mr. Hospitality
Hospitality mogul and real estate investor Mathieu Massa is the owner of Queen Miami Beach in the historic Paris Theater on Miami Beach’s Washington Avenue and the recently opened Lafayette Steakhouse in Brickell. Mathieu leads Mr. Hospitality Group, which has opened hotspots such as Marion, El Tucán and Queen. He also oversees Massa Investment Group LLC, a fully integrated investment firm specializing in real estate development and hospitality which he launched in 2007.
Born in the French Riviera, Mathieu Massa hails from a family of entrepreneurs. His early inspiration comes from a lineage of great men that dates back to his great-grandfather, Sylvain Emile Massa, who migrated from Italy and settled in Cannes, France in 1908. Guided by the family’s entrepreneurial spirit from generation to generation, Mathieu embarked on a start track of higher education receiving his MBA degree from the prestigious school H.E.C in Paris and Babson College in Boston.
After graduating in 2007, Mathieu settled in Miami where he launched his private equity firm Massa Investment Group LLC. Massa Investment Group is a fully integrated investment firm specializing in real estate development and hospitality. Though initially focused on purchasing distressed assets following the subprime crisis of 2008, the company comprises all aspects of real estate development—from due diligence and positioning to branding, marketing, construction, and design.
Mathieu founded Massa Construction Group in 2009 and is well-versed in projects spanning from commercial, and residential, to hospitality and mixed-use structures. Notable projects include an extravagant villa in Cannes, France, which sold for 13 million euros in 2017, alongside four sprawling waterfront homes in Miami Beach, developed between 2015 and 2019. Three of these residential projects occupy Prairie Avenue, while the pinnacle of luxury resides within the esteemed Sunset Islands III.
Mathieu’s step into the hospitality world would then come by chance when he was approached by the famed Bâoli Cannes team to assist with the restaurant operations of their new venture in Miami Beach, a small Italian restaurant on Collins Avenue, known as Vita. First, Mathieu purchased a 50% stake in the business in 2009, and two years later took on sole ownership, transforming the sleepy Italian restaurant into the thriving Bâoli Miami we know today. The biggest overhaul was by far the entertainment, Bâoli Miami was Miami Beach’s first supper club, introducing a sophisticated dinner party concept with late-night entertainment that’s now synonymous with the city’s nightlife scene. In 2014, after the immense success of Baoli, which was named one of the best restaurants in Florida, Mathieu founded Mr. Hospitality, which would soon become the driving force behind Miami’s most successful and upscale dining establishments.
In 2023, Mathieu revealed his plans to take over the historic Paris Theater building in Miami Beach and convert it into an unprecedented and exquisitely lavish destination for fine dining and entertainment under the esteemed operation of Mr. Hospitality Group. Led by Mathieu’s visionary leadership, the 23,000-square-foot Miami landmark was meticulously transformed into an ultra-luxurious modern Japanese restaurant and lounge, coined Queen Miami Beach. The $40-million-dollar redevelopment endeavor has introduced a new level of luxury dining, since opening its doors to the public in February 2023, and marks only the beginning of Mathieu's ambitious plans to further elevate and revitalize the premier hospitality development landscape in Miami Beach. In 2024 he opened Lafayette Steakhouse in the former El Tucán space.
Mathieu Massa’s recently opened Lafayette Steakhouse in Brickell
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. The real estate and hospitality visionary has invested over $250 million into Miami real estate in the past few years and is venturing into the commercial office sector with his largest and most ambitious acquisition to date, the $62.5 million purchase of ‘The Lincoln’ in Miami Beach. Robert has plans to invest an additional $50 million to reimagine the property into ‘Class X’, an innovative concept that aims to redefine luxury and service standards in the office industry. Named the ‘Rivani’, the reimagination will deliver a meticulously-designed, highly amenitized experiential office and retail property that transcends the standard, mundane office space.
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.
Robert Rivani’s recently revealed Rivani Class X Office Concept in Miami Beach
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
Ronny Finvarb’s Kimpton Palomar South Beach Hotel
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.
Witkoff’s The Shore Club Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection in Miami Beach
Moderator: Christian Charre, Senior Managing Director, Berkadia
Christian Charre is a Senior Managing Director out of the Miami, Florida office for Berkadia Hotels & Hospitality.
Prior to joining Berkadia, Christian Charre served owners and investors in Florida, the Caribbean, and Latin America as an Executive Vice President at CBRE Hotels. Mr. Charre has more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and has been involved in the operations, underwriting, and asset management of various hotels and resorts across the world. Mr. Charre has sold more than $12 billion worth of hotel properties. He founded The Charre Group prior to joining CBRE, where he and his staff established a solid reputation in South Florida as a reputable real estate investment banking firm and advisor focused on the lodging sector. Additionally, Mr. Charre spent ten years as senior vice president at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels in Miami, where he launched the company’s offices for South Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean and developed connections with financiers and investors from all over the Americas and the Caribbean.
