Waterfront Development Forum

Thu Jun 12, 2025

Only 75 days until the event.

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Waterfront Development Forum

Name: Waterfront Development Forum
Start: 2025-06-12T08:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-06-12T11:00:00-04:00

Shaping Florida’s Coastlines with Resilience, Innovation, and Opportunity
to be held in miami

Thursday June 12 2025 @ 8:00 AM EDT

$109.00

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Speakers and Panels

Overcoming Regulatory, Location & Design Challenges on the Waterfront

Chris Schlank

Founder & Managing Partner, Savanna

Chris Gandolfo

SVP, Tavistock

Jorge Garcia

CEO, garciastromberg

Moderator

Lisa Holt

Head Chief, Ivy Risk Strategies

The Future of South Florida’s Waterfront Development

Peter Baytarian

Peter Baytarian is the Founder and Managing Partner of Forest Development, a multi-faceted team of real estate development professionals with decades of experience. Forest Development acquires and develops undervalued and primarily waterfront properties in or adjacent to growing cities in Florida. Investing in areas on the path of development empowers the team to create destinations and shape vibrant communities. The diversified investment strategy of the company includes adding value through strategic partnerships and opportunities with mixed-use, multifamily, luxury condominiums, hotels, retail, restaurants, and marinas. Forest Development has various projects in process on both the east and west coasts of Florida. Nautilus 220, a luxury mixed-use development currently underway with completion anticipated for Spring 2025 at 220 Lake Shore Drive in Lake Park, FL, will include 330 condominium residences in two towers, SeaHawk Prime by David Burke, a restaurant with golf + sport simulators, a café, retail, and office alongside the Lake Park Harbor Marina. Oculina is a luxury mixed-use development with Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean views at 3700 Broadway, Riviera Beach, FL. The 25-story, two tower project will include 399 condominiums, resort style amenities, a cafe, fast casual and fine dining restaurants, retail and office. Oculina is fully entitled and sales are slated to launch in the fall of 2025. Additionally, Peter is the Founder and Managing Partner of two firms based in New York, NY focused on the renovation, ownership and management of high-end value-add properties including townhomes, condominiums, and commercial sites in Manhattan. Previously he was a developer and home builder in Cape Cod, MA completing more than 150 residences. Peter was born in Beirut, Lebanon, attended high school at The American School in London and studied economics at Boston University. He resides with his wife and two daughters in Palm Beach County. Peter serves as a member of the Executive Trustee Council for the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.

Forest Development

Founder & Managing Partner

Peter Baytarian

Founder & Managing Partner, Forest Development

Carlos Melo

Principal, Melo Group

Bryan Cho

EVP, Related Ross

Kevin Davenport

SVP, Swire Properties

Laura Tauber

Principal, TAUBCO

Why Attend Waterfront Development Forum

Why This Matters:

South Florida’s waterfront is a high-demand, high-value asset class, attracting institutional investors, private equity firms, and foreign capital looking for strong, long-term returns. With limited waterfront land available, competition is fierce—knowing where and how to invest is critical. Billion-dollar bayfront, riverfront, and marina-driven projects across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties must also navigate an increasingly complex landscape of rising construction costs, stricter coastal regulations, and long-term climate resiliency challenges. This event will feature the bold visionaries behind these prime projects redefining South Florida’s waterfronts for generations to come, the city officials allowing these projects to pencil, and capital markets experts will also share insights and discuss opportunities. Whether you’re a developer looking for your next big project, an investor seeking waterfront opportunities, or an owner navigating redevelopment challenges, this event is where the future of South Florida’s waterfront real estate takes shape.

What You Will Learn:

The Future of Waterfront Growth: Discover the key infrastructure improvements, policy updates, and public initiatives that will drive South Florida’s waterfront expansion and enhance long-term economic sustainability across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
High-Value Waterfront Submarkets: Identify which bayfront, riverfront, and marina districts in Miami, Broward, and Palm Beach offer the best risk-adjusted returns and how these markets compare to other U.S. coastal investment hubs.
Unlocking Hidden Value in Waterfront Development: Learn how adaptive reuse, redevelopment, and creative mixed-use planning are transforming underutilized waterfront spaces into thriving commercial, residential, and hospitality destinations.

The Evolution of South Florida’s Marina & Boating Industry: Understand how demand for yacht slips, luxury marinas, and waterfront amenities is shaping real estate trends and influencing new development strategies.

Overcoming Construction & Cost Challenges in Waterfront Projects: Gain insights into how developers are addressing rising insurance premiums, labor shortages, and material costs, and what strategies are being used to keep projects financially viable.

Climate Resiliency & Sustainable Development: Learn how developers are integrating flood prevention, sea-level rise mitigation, and resilient infrastructure to ensure the long-term viability of waterfront investments.

For questions regarding content and speaking, please email our Event Producer, Elizabeth Herrgott, elizabeth.herrgott@bisnow.com Want to get involved? Contact Jordan.Hinsch@bisnow.com to get information on sponsorship, pricing and availability at this event.

Agenda

Time	Activity
8:00 AM 9:00 AM	Registration, Networking, & Breakfast
9:00 AM 9:45 AM	Overcoming Regulatory, Location & Design Challenges on the Waterfront Developing on South Florida’s waterfront is no easy feat from strict zoning and environmental policies to climate-related risks and finding the right space, bringing these high-profile projects to life requires navigating a complex regulatory landscape. So how are leading developers overcoming these hurdles? Hear directly from top developers, policy experts, and industry leaders on what it really takes to break ground and succeed in South Florida’s competitive waterfront market.
9:45 AM 10:00 AM	Networking Break
10:00 AM 10:45 AM	The Future of South Florida’s Waterfront Development South Florida’s waterfront is experiencing a wave of transformative development, with prime sites in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties attracting major investment. Developers are capitalizing on luxury residential, hospitality, and mixed-use projects, redefining waterfront living and commerce. Join the visionary developers shaping South Florida’s waterfront as they discuss how to maximize investment potential and build for the future.
10:45 AM 11:00 AM	Post-Panel Networking

Want to get a recap of everything covered at the event?

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Call:	202-684-2034
Email:	eventregistration@bisnow.com