Keynote: A&D concepts shaping South Florida’s Landscape

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  Nick Perez

  Nick Pérez serves as the President of Condominium Development for Related Group (Related), one of the country’s leading real estate companies. In this critical leadership role, Nick oversees all development activity within the company's world-renown condominium group, with a portfolio worth over $15 billion. Additionally, Nick collaborates closely with Related’s executive suite - including CEO and Founder Jorge M. Perez and President Jon Paul Perez - to extend the firm’s 40+ years of industry dominance. Known for his growth focus, Related’s condominium group has thrived under Nick’s leadership, forging partnerships with distinguished brands, expanding into promising new markets and driving billions of dollars in sales. The division currently has more than 20 individual condo projects under active developments, with highlights including the St. Regis Residences Miami; Baccarat Residences, Miami; NoMad Residences, Wynwood; Residences at 6 Fisher, and many more. Nick also led the development of Related’s award-winning Coconut Grove headquarters, completed in 2021. Prior to joining Related in 2018, Nick spent eight years in the New York City real estate industry, working with some of the world’s most respected real estate companies. This included a four-year period with the Related Companies in Manhattan, where he focused on a wide spectrum of properties, including 261 Hudson and 15 Hudson Yards. Nick is deeply involved with Related’s sustainability efforts, playing a critical role in forging Related’s high- profile partnership with the Aspen Institute and facilitating the firm’s title sponsorship of the “Ideas” Summit. He is also involved in the Related’s Philanthropic Foundation and the Perez Family Philanthropic Foundation, which have dispersed more than $214 million since being founded in 2015. Nick graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.S. in Business Administration and received his Executive MBA from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

  Related Group

  President

  Keynote

  Nick Perez

  President

  Related Group

Beyond the Blueprint: The Future of Architecture and Design in South Florida

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  Jacqueline Gonzalez Touzet

  Jacqueline Gonzalez Touzet has a strong interest in tropical modernism, largely influenced by her Cuban heritage and love for modernist design in Cuba. Influenced by her Latin heritage, her approach to design is based on a rigorous understanding of the people, the climate, the culture, and history of a place. She believes that design solutions should strive to be innovative, while also addressing the needs and concerns for how people live today and how they will live into the future. Her work has garnered awards and been published internationally. She was named Young Architect of the Year by AIA Miami in 2006. She was recognized for her excellence in design as AIA Miami’s 2015 Architect of the Year and received the Silver Award in 2017 for excellence in Design. A champion for preparing the community for coastal resilience and creating a livable and sustainable future, she holds many leadership positions locally. She is on the Board of MRED for University of Miami School of Real Estate and has been an Adjunct Professor at Florida International University and University of Miami School of Architecture. Serving as Chair of the sub-committee on resilience for University of Miami and the AIA advisor to the Sea Level Rise committee, she is a leading voice in designing more resilient buildings for our future.  Jackie holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Cornell University.

  Touzet Studio

  Founding Principal

  Jacqueline Gonzalez Touzet

  Founding Principal

  Touzet Studio

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  Gustavo Berenblum

  Principal and Co-Founder

  Berenblum Busch Architects

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  Pinar Harris

  Vice President and Principal Pinar Harris Born, raised, and educated in Turkey, Pinar Harris is a registered architect with nearly two decades of design experience in urban mixed-use, high-end hospitality, hotels and resorts and multi-family residential projects. Her synergetic approach to the design process has helped Pinar establish herself as a leader at SB Architects, where she has been a team member for 18 years and is currently vice president and principal. Pinar’s skill set includes technical proficiency, conceptual project development skills, and a demonstrated strength in construction administration and project closeout. Her range of architectural skills is informed by her diverse background and international experience on a variety of project types. Since joining SB Architects, Pinar has been instrumental in the design of cutting-edge hospitality and residential projects throughout Florida, including the Ritz-Carlton Residences Sarasota, St. Regis Longboat Key, Saltaire and Art House in St. Petersburg, and 100 Las Olas in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

  SB Architects

  Principal & VP

  Pinar Harris

  Principal & VP

  SB Architects

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  Kobi Karp

  Kobi Karp is the Founder and Principal of Kobi Karp Architecture and Interior Design, Inc (KKAID). Kobi Karp founded the firm in 1996 and has been the Principal-in-Charge of design since that time. KKAID is a full-service architectural and interior design firm providing a vast array of services, ranging from the design of large-scale, high-rise condominium and hospitality projects to intimate, small-scale low-rise residential and commercial structures. Educated at the University of Minnesota’s Institute of Technology, Kobi Karp earned degrees in both Architecture and Environmental Design. Subsequently, Kobi Karp began his career working on major hospitality and all- inclusive resort projects throughout the United States and the Caribbean. His restoration design techniques have contributed to a renaissance in one of this country’s most cherished areas, Miami Beach’s Art Deco District which is internationally recognized around the world. Kobi Karp has developed expertise in design over the last 20 years, working with a wide range of project types, sizes, complexities, and budgets. It is through this last quarter century working in warm weather climates that KKAID has garnered international acclaim and been selected to spearhead numerous resort projects. Developers and builders in the Caribbean, Black Sea region, and the Middle East have relied on the firm for their design eye and planning. Kobi Karp is a recognized member of the American Institute of Architects, honored for his award-winning designs and buildings and he is a licensed Professional Architect in 9 states and in Abu Dhabi (UAE). His firm has been featured in renowned national and local publications based on their major contributions in the preservation of historical areas.

  Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design

  President

  Kobi Karp

  President

  Kobi Karp Architecture & Interior Design

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  Jorge Garcia

  An honor graduate of the University of Miami, Jorge is the driving force behind the firm’s growth and development since 1987. Prior experience includes earning a reputation with highly acclaimed architectural as well as land development firms, where he grew to understand the importance of leadership within an organization, the community, and the unique ability of integrating innovative architecture with rational business criteria in a balanced format. Jorge’s primary focuses are corporate leadership, design, vision, collaboration, and growth development for the firm’s philosophical ideals. Jorge is a licensed architect in thirteen states with expertise in the design of national and international facilities including hotel & resorts, commercial, institutional, mixed-use developments, and residential, projects. He is a sought-after authority on the realities and challenges clients face in the planning, approval and entitlement processes found in today’s challenging development environment.

  garciastromberg

  CEO

  Jorge Garcia

  CEO

  garciastromberg

• Moderator

  Elizabeth Taylor

  VP, Sales and Business Development

  Karins Engineering

Rethinking Urban Spaces: The Role of Architecture and Design in Shaping Community Experience

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  Jessica Chen

  With over 29 years of experience in Construction, Jessica has dedicated her life in construction in South Florida. After obtaining her degree in Architecture from Florida International University, Jessica worked in kitchen design and then began her career in construction. Schools, higher education, condominiums, casino, and courthouses have been part of Jessica’s experience in South Florida. Most notably Jessica was the Project Executive for the Guitar Hotel Tower and Oasis Suites Hotel at the Hollywood Hard Rock complex. Her management of high-end condominiums, commercial, and hospitality work led her to her interest in the development realm. Swire Properties US is renowned for bringing great innovation in design and neighborhood planning through their projects in Miami for the last 50 years. Jessica hopes to continue to bring to Swire her extensive knowledge in construction and her relationships in the South Florida market; while continuing to push the growth in women in construction and now development. Jessica joined Swire Properties US in 2021 as their Director of Design and Construction.

  Swire Properties

  Director of Design and Construction

  Jessica Chen

  Director of Design and Construction

  Swire Properties

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  Kate Sanko

  Kate Sanko has a decade’s worth of experience as an interior designer, architectural designer and project manager, working on significant high -rise residential, commercial and hospitality projects in New York City and South Florida. At Newgard, she is responsible for leading award- winning design teams to create compelling and unique spaces within the company’s ground-up residential developments. Prior to joining Newgard, she held project management and design positions at Perkins+Will in Coral Gables, IDDI in Fort Lauderdale and Whitehall Interiors in New York City. Sanko earned a Bachelor of Logistics Engineering from Immanuel Kant Russian State University (Since renamed). She later received a Bachelor of Technology, Summa Cum Laude, in Architecture from the New York City College of Technology.

  Newgard Development Group

  VP, Interior Design

  Kate Sanko

  VP, Interior Design

  Newgard Development Group

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  Brad Meltzer

  Brad Meltzer is a Partner and President of Two Roads Development. In this role, he oversees real estate development activities from design through construction and supports the team in identifying new opportunities. Meltzer has facilitated the growth of numerous regional business units scaling some from start up to more than 250 employees. Specializing in delivering high-end projects, Meltzer has led award-winning projects from inception to completion across various asset classes, including condominium, multifamily, hospitality, office, and retail. A sampling of such projects includes Biscayne Beach, The One Thousand Museum Tower, the 4 Tower Paraiso Complex, the Ritz Carlton Residences Miami Beach, The Marquis, Millicento, W Hotel South Beach, One Hotel and Homes, Icon Bay, Carillon Miami Beach (aka Canyon Ranch), Town Center One at Dadeland, Aventura Mall Expansion, Westshore Marina Pointe, Mandarin Oriental Miami. Meltzer led the construction of 15 buildings in excess of 35 stories and 2 in excess of 60 stories. He holds a Masters's in Architecture from Tulane University and has more than 30 years of construction experience, having headed a top national construction firm as its CEO. Meltzer also sits on the Advisory Board of the University of Miami MRED+U and Construction Management programs, Tulane University School of Architecture Advisory Board, Gulliver Prep Board of Trustees, and Voices for Children Board of Directors.

  Two Roads Development

  Partner & President

  Brad Meltzer

  Partner & President

  Two Roads Development

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  Andrew Burnett

  Andrew W. Burnett is a dynamic influence in the world of multi-family and mixed-use design, with a national portfolio of award-winning projects. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience at national practices, he has emerged as an industry leader, particularly across the southeast United States. Andrew is an active mentor, shaping the next generation of design professionals, as well as a strong business thinker who understands the economics behind what he designs. As Managing Principal of RSP’s Miami office, Andrew guides strategic growth in the mixed-use and multi-family markets in Florida and beyond.

  RSP Architects

  Principal

  Andrew Burnett

  Principal

  RSP Architects

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  Gavi Wolf

  Gavi Wolf is the CEO and Co-founder of Indiewalls, which helps the world's biggest brands discover, source, and commission fine art from emerging artists. Indiewalls is trusted by the world’s top interior design firms, hotel brands, and Fortune 500 companies including Amazon, Google, The Ritz Carlton, Virgin Voyages, and many others. Indiewalls is a one-stop-shop for all art needs from high volume framed prints, to original and mixed media pieces, to large scale murals and sculptures, with deep expertise across luxury hospitality, workplace, multi-family, healthcare, and cruise ships. Gavi is a sought-after thought leader and innovator at the intersection of art, design, and technology.

  Indiewalls

  CEO and Co-founder

  Gavi Wolf

  CEO and Co-founder

  Indiewalls

Opening Remarks

A word from our Host

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  Brian Gale

  Brian Gale is Vice Chairman of Cushman and Wakefield of Florida. Through his 27 year career, Brian has overseen the signing of leases totalling 12 million square feet, with a value of over $2 billion. His team currently represents almost 7 million square feet of office space in South Florida, with buildings in Downtown Miami, Brickell, Coral Gables, South Miami, Coconut Grove, Wynwood, Airport West and has clients which include Metlife, Nuveen, Related, AEW, Prudential, OKO Group, Cain International, IP Capital, CIM, L&B, Banyan and Crocker Partners. From 1993 to 1999, Brian was a broker in the Miami office of CB Richard Ellis and from there he spent the next 18 years as a broker and Principal of Taylor and Mathis before joining Cushman and Wakefield in 2016. Brian is a 2 time “Broker of the Year” winner for Miami-Dade County.

  Cushman & Wakefield

  Vice Chairman

  Brian Gale

  Vice Chairman

  Cushman & Wakefield