Palm Beach State of the Market

Anthony Librizzi joined Cushman and Wakefield’s South Florida team as Managing Director of Commercial Brokerage in our West Palm Beach office in May 2017 and leads the office leasing group of Mark Pateman and Tara England. Before joining Cushman & Wakefield, Mr. Librizzi spent ten years at CBRE where he served as Senior Vice President, assisting both office tenants and landlords in West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach and along the Treasure Coast. His prior brokerage experience includes two years at Applefield Waxman Commercial Real Estate. Mr. Librizzi has built strong relationships with some of South Florida’s largest investors and landlords, such as New York Life, Alchemy-ABR Partners, CBRE Global Investors, AEW Capital, Lexington Realty Trust, Breakers Capital, Tower Realty Partners, and Praedium Group. He has also represented some of the most prominent tenants in the region, including American Express, AT&T, FPL, Merrill Lynch, Lighthouse Partners and TD Bank. Mr. Librizzi has led leasing efforts for a portfolio of more than 1.75 million square feet of office space throughout Palm Beach County. This portfolio includes some of Palm Beach County’s most recognizable office assets, such as Congress Corporate Park, Esperanté Corporate Center, Tower 1555, Corporate Center at the Gardens, 1700 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, Gardens Medical Pavilion, Centrepark and Financial Center at the Gardens.

Malcolm has been active in South Florida Real Estate for over 25 years. He has a Masters Degree in Real Estate from Florida International University, and has previously worked in the real estate investment division of Travelers Insurance.

Andrew Dance is Managing Partner of Brand Atlantic Real Estate Partners, a West Palm Beach-based real estate company that invests in and develops differentiated office, residential and hospitality properties in high-growth urban markets across the eastern seaboard. Andrew leads acquisitions and growth initiatives for the company, as well as oversees execution of developments. Prior to Brand Atlantic, Andrew was an Executive Vice President of Related Companies based in New York City, where he led $2 billion of developments in major markets across the United States over the course of his 16 years at the company. Andrew earned his Master of Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College.

As the senior vice president, Tom Thrasher leads the ongoing development and expansion of Gilbane Building Company in Florida. With over 27 years of experience and extensive knowledge in various market sectors, including design, construction, project management, and executive leadership, he brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Tom's responsibilities include overseeing profit and loss, implementing Gilbane's vision, strategy, and business plan, and ensuring client satisfaction exceeds expectations. He possesses a deep understanding of our client’s diverse needs. Tom is accountable for analyzing schedule and cost risks on each project and effectively mitigating them by allocating the necessary staff and resources. He also designs and executes construction strategies tailored to each project's unique challenges, such as procurement selection, construction sequencing, and quality assurance procedures. Tom's career began with a Construction Engineering and Management degree from Purdue University. He has made significant contributions at a national level, serving as a committee member and contributing to developing project management manuals, procedures, quality control programs, and innovative safety, lean, and KLI (Key Leading Indicator) practices. His commitment to working “smarter, not harder”, is evident in his daily efforts to enhance team satisfaction and performance by increasing efficiency.

In his current role, Kyle’s primary responsibility is to provide valuable direction in both the preconstruction and construction phases of the project - ensuring the team delivers on all project goals. His leadership and operational skills are critical to providing effective guidance for the project team. Kyle is committed to remaining visible and accessible throughout the entire project, actively engaging with key stakeholders and fostering relationships that can lead to future endeavors. His goal is to provide Suffolk project teams and regional leadership with best-in-class standards, support, tools, and data to enable them to perform at the highest level, not only in the current project but also in their ongoing efforts to expand the company’s portfolio and enhance its business development initiatives. Kyle has had various operational and functional roles throughout his time at Suffolk, including National Director of Operational Excellence, Chief of Staff, Senior Project Manager, and Senior BIM/VDC Manager. Prior to joining Suffolk, Kyle worked as VDC Project Manager for AECOM Hunt and Project Engineer for Bristol-Meyers Squibb. Kyle was recently selected as a 2023 South Florida Business Journal 40 Under 40 Award winner, and also as a 2023 South Florida Business & Wealth Up and Comer Award recipient. Kyle earned his Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Construction Management from Ball State University.

Nicole Shiman is Senior Vice President of Investments, leading our Florida portfolio and office. She brings extensive experience in acquisitions and dispositions, as well as portfolio oversight and management, to the investment team. Nicole previously served as Vice President at Miami-based 13th Floor Investments, where she was responsible for leading acquisition initiatives, new business procurement and capitalization efforts. She was actively involved in the ongoing oversight, development, management and disposition of 13th Floor’s and its affiliates’ real estate portfolios. Prior to her work with 13th Floor, Nicole spent many years with The Boston Consulting Group in their Toronto, New York and Miami offices. Nicole graduated from The Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and received her Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Nicole sits on the ULI Southeast Florida/ Caribbean Advisory Board, she serves as a Board Member for The University of Miami School of Law LLM program, and serves as a founding Board Member of the Wynwood Yard, a culinary incubator and community space located in Wynwood, Florida.

Peter Stromberg, president at garciastromberg architecture and interior design studio. For over 25 years they have created solutions for projects ranging from large scale urban and resort projects to boutique residential dwellings. His design vision is the guiding force behind a number of notable national and international projects. As a graduate of Mississippi State University, he brings to the firm a thorough understanding of contemporary as well as vernacular theories of architecture and the complexities involved in putting projects together. His passion is raw creation through unique ideas and finds inspiration mainly in the natural environment - space, light, sound, texture, color and form. Peter’s work embodies all forms of media. He believes art, through painting, sculpture and music is free of boundaries and allows form to flow fluidly helping him constantly learn and perform better as an architect.

Daniel R. Sheehan is President of Vista Bank, a commercial bank headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with approximately $2 billion in total assets. Based in Palm Beach County, Florida, Dan is responsible for supporting existing Vista Bank markets, overseeing the expansion into Florida, and executing on specific bank-wide initiatives. He is also a member of the Bank’s board of directors. Previously, Mr. Sheehan was Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Professional Bank, which he co-founded in 2008 in Coral Gables, Florida. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Holding Corp (NASDAQ: PFHD) since its inception in 2014, he was responsible for the development and execution of its growth, capital, and leadership plans. Under his leadership, Professional Bank grew its balance sheet approximately 14x before selling to Seacoast Bank in 2022. Professional Bank was recognized as a “Top Place to Work” by the Sun Sentinel in 2021 and received the “Best Places to Work” designation by the South Florida Business Journal for the fourth consecutive year in 2021, placing first among all financial institutions. In 2020 Mr. Sheehan was invited to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at the U.S. Treasury Department in Washington D.C. to discuss the rollout, benefits, and challenges of the newly instituted Paycheck Protection Program. Earlier that year, he was interviewed live on the Fox Business program, “Mornings with Maria,” to discuss the banking industry and the dynamics of the Florida economy following his IPO of Professional Holding Corp. Mr. Sheehan led his team in ringing the bell at NASDAQ’s global headquarters in Times Square to open the trading day on February 14, 2020. From 2016 until 2019, Mr. Sheehan was a real estate investment banker with Walker & Dunlop, Inc. and held a similar position with Cohen Financial from 2005 through 2016. Starting his career at Bear Stearns, he has invested and deployed over $10 billion of institutional real estate capital throughout the U.S. while holding various positions at national real estate investment banks and financial intermediaries. Recognized for his achievements in finance, banking, real estate, and deal-making by South Florida CEO magazine as the “Six Million Dollar Man,” Sheehan was named “Heavy Hitter in Commercial Real Estate Finance” by South Florida Business Journal. He has appeared numerous times as the Daily Business Review’s “Top Dealmaker” in Finance, South Florida Business Journal’s “Power Leaders” for the years 2019, 2020, and 2021, received South Florida Business & Wealth’s “Apogee Award” in 2019, and its Finance Award in 2021, and was included in Palm Beach Magazine’s “Palm Beach 100,” as one of Palm Beach County’s most influential business leaders in 2020 and 2021. An active Young Presidents Organization (YPO) member, Mr. Sheehan has participated in lecture series with the Milken Institute and several other industry interest groups. He has served as an adjunct speaker and lecturer at the University of Miami School of Law on Real Estate Finance and Capital Markets, National Association of Office and Industrial Properties: “How to Survive in a Down Market,” Urban Land Institute’s 2009 South Florida Economic and Development Outlook: “Global Finance and the Money Markets,” and Urban Land Institute’s 2014 South Florida Economic and Development Outlook: “The Money Chase .”He currently serves on the investment advisory board for Alterna Equity Partners, a lower middle market private equity firm, and an operating partner at Interplay, a New York City-based venture capital firm. He is a member of the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. Mr. Sheehan was an economics major and varsity football letterman at Duke University before receiving his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida and his M.B.A. from the University of Miami.

Matthew leads GlobalPro’s New York office that serves the Northeast Region and is the managing partner of GlobalPro Ventures, LLC, a boutique Private Equity, Venture Capital and Real Estate Investment firm. He brings over a decade of experience in financial services and asset management with a focus on raising capital, business development and key relationship management. Matthew served as Vice President and Partner at Neuberger Berman and Rue One Investments. His business development experience is highlighted by building and growing sales regions in the U.S. and raising over $700 million in capital to date. He is an expert at building relationships with Family Offices, Independent Broker/Dealers and their respective Home Office Representatives. In 2014, Matthew was recognized by his peers who nominated him for the “Roy Neuberger” Award, the Advisor Consultant of the Year.

Brian Seymour co-chairs Gunster’s Real Property practice. He represents clients throughout Florida who need experienced land use and property rights counsel. Since joining the firm out of law school, Brian has represented land owners and developers in matters of land use, zoning, comprehensive planning and environmental resource permitting, as well as eminent domain, land use and constitutional property rights litigation. Brian understands the role of the political process in land use decisions, regularly balancing legal rights and political realities in advising clients on how to achieve their goals in ways that make business sense. Brian has worked on properties and projects related to all aspects of Florida’s economy – residential communities, retail, office and industrial developments, mixed-use, transportation and logistics, agriculture, mining, education, and sports facilities. Brian’s varied experience also helps him lead the firm’s Real Property practice, which includes all aspects of land use, real estate transactions, development, environmental matters, eminent domain and property rights litigation. With two children who he hopes will live and work in Florida, Brian is committed to his local community. Brian is active in many local organizations, including the Palm Beach County Business Development Board, Chambers of Commerce, The Economic Council of Palm Beach County, and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, as well as many political activities. Brian also served as the vice chair of the Florida Elections Commission and is an active member of Leadership Florida. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America and has chaired its Emergency Committee, responding to natural disasters throughout North America. Brian has worked on properties and projects related to all aspects of Florida’s economy – residential communities, retail, office and industrial developments, mixed-use, transportation and logistics, agriculture, mining, education, and sports facilities. Brian’s varied experience also helps him lead the firm’s Real Property practice, which includes all aspects of land use, real estate transactions, development, environmental matters, eminent domain and property rights litigation. With two children who he hopes will live and work in Florida, Brian is committed to his local community. Brian is active in many local organizations, including the Palm Beach County Business Development Board, Chambers of Commerce, The Economic Council of Palm Beach County, and the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County, as well as many political activities. Brian also served as the vice chair of the Florida Elections Commission and is an active member of Leadership Florida. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Jewish Federations of North America and has chaired its Emergency Committee, responding to natural disasters throughout North America

Jeffrey Ardizon is Principal at The Estate Companies, a Miami-based full-service, vertically integrated developer, owner and operator of residential communities throughout the tri-county region, and one of the largest and most active multifamily developers in Florida. The firm is best known for its institutionally recognized Soleste brand which features Class A multi-family communities throughout South Florida’s urban core and submarket locations. Mr. Ardizon has been credited for identifying and evaluating off-market opportunities, temporary market dislocations, special workouts, overall capitalization and general overall direction of the firm. The Estate Companies has implemented its strategic plan is to increase its focus on development in Broward and Palm Beach counties, and has many luxury projects in various stages of development including Pompano Beach, Dania Beach, Riviera Beach, West Palm Beach, three projects in Hollywood, two in North Miami Beach, and Spring Gardens, among others. Mr. Ardizon was instrumental in structuring and executing one of South Florida's first opportunity zone transactions, Soleste Grand Central, a 360-unit Class A multifamily project in Downtown Miami. Prior to joining The Estate Companies, Mr. Ardizon was the co-founder and principal of ECI, a real estate investment, management and development firm based in South Florida. The firm focused on providing GP/LP equity and debt for multi-family real estate developments and value-add opportunities across a diverse portfolio of asset classes. During that time, Mr. Ardizon was credited for strategically structuring and creating one of the more notable single-family offices in South Florida. Mr. Ardizon began his real estate career with one of the largest nationally ranked advisory firms in the country, where he led the firm's real estate practice for nearly a decade. He represented some of the largest real estate developers, REIT’s, operators and sponsors in the region. Under his leadership, the firm was awarded the top real estate tax firm by various publications. Mr. Ardizon was a top revenue producer for the firm and quickly gained industry recognition as a leading go-to advisor, advising clients on over $3 billion in transactional value.

Joey Eichner has over 40 years of experience in the real estate industry, including roles in the brokerage, development, entitlement, property management, and construction management disciplines. His extensive first-hand knowledge across diverse disciplines has made him a seasoned and respected industry leader in the South Florida market. During his initial 22-year tenure at Catalfumo Companies as President of Catalfumo Development (1996-2013), Joey was responsible for over $2 Billion in developmental projects. Those projects included some of the most notable developments along the PGA Boulevard corridor in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida where he transformed more than 300 acres of unentitled prime vacant land into a vibrant mecca of professional office and high-end retail. Such projects include Legacy Place, MacArthur Center, PGA Design Center (PGA Station) and the FPL Corporate Park. Other notable work includes the renovation of the Ocean Mall and development of The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Singer Island. Since returning to Catalfumo Companies in 2018, Joey spearheaded the company’s acquisition of a partially developed 30-acre site and focused on obtaining the approvals and development of 260,000 square feet of office space and 396 residential units. Within six months, he negotiated a single-tenant lease and led the construction of a 64,0000-square-foot built-to-suit office building. The 396 residential units are currently under construction, with development plans for an additional 600 units in the approval stages. In October of 2021, the Catalfumo Companies acquired 11 acres of prime Intracoastal waterfront property for which Joey obtained zoning and site plan approval for the development of 106 ultra-luxury condominium residences. Understanding the inimitability and caliber of the project, the firm negotiated a license agreement with Marriott International to designate the property as The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Palm Beach Gardens. Sales of the condominiums commenced on February 16, 2023. In 2013, Joey Eichner founded Aaron Group, a full-service real estate firm. The company currently serves over 200 clients with property management services. Aaron Group Realty, a subsidiary of Aaron Group, is a full-service brokerage operating with five agents that exclusively serve the condominium residents of Singer Island, where the corporate office is located.

After beginning his career as a tax attorney, Mr. Weiner turned to the narrow specialty of tax planning for real estate developers. Mr. Weiner first became familiar with redevelopment by being involved in the Tower City project in Cleveland, Ohio in the late 1970′s. Upon moving to Florida he took an active interest in real estate opportunities afforded by South Florida. He became active in the Art Deco Society in the early 1980’s which advocated the re-development (as opposed to demolition) of the Art Deco Miami Beach Hotels. Moving to Palm Beach County, Mr. Weiner shaped his practice in tandem with the resurgence of another city, Delray Beach, Florida. Mr. Weiner has invested his own funds in re-development, demonstrating that there can be profits both for the individual and for the community. He owns one of the oldest homes in Delray Beach, Florida called the “Clark House” built in 1896. For the City of Boynton Beach, he was actively involved in the planning of the Town Square project, including City Hall, completed in 2020 and which saved the 1923 High School. As an expert in re-adaptive use, the assemblage of properties, “grandfathering” and similar legal issues which often stand in the way of re-development of blighted areas, Mr. Weiner continues to assist his clients in searching for the proper re-development opportunities east of I-95. Making the older neighborhoods glorious once again reduces the pressure on westward expansion and the ever increasing commuter trips. It revitalizes aging infrastructure and stems blight. It is real estate development that cannot be labeled as scorching the Earth.