FOUNDER OF DEZER DEVELOPMENT

T he name of Michael Dezer is synonymous with the spirit of community and achievement. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, Michael Dezer immigrated to the United States in 1962.

In 1970, Michael founded Dezer Properties, a now prominent New York City commercial real estate company. The first developer to identify Chelsea as an up-and-coming district in New York City, Michael had the opportunity to develop a portfolio of the area’s choicest properties. Michael became instrumental in the positioning of the “New Chelsea Image,” taking it from a failing fur and manufacturing district to a hub of fashion, creative resources, multinational company headquarters and offices, and desirable loft style living spaces.

Michael’s vision enabled Dezer Properties to be the first developer in New York City to convert factory buildings into luxury office cooperatives, and position the Chelsea area as one of the most sought-after in the city. Today the Dezer Properties New York portfolio is the largest of its kind in Chelsea, with holdings that include 20 commercial buildings, in addition to completing eight commercial co-ops and one luxury residential loft condominium, and encompassing more than 1.3 million square feet of space.

In 1985, Michael began to purchase oceanfront property in south Florida and is now one of the largest oceanfront property owners in Sunny Isles Beach, owning just over 27 oceanfront acres and representing one of the largest holdings of beachfront property owned and developable in the state. Today he owns the Travelodge Monaco Beach Resort and the Days Hotel Thunderbird Beach Resort, in addition to several other local condominium and resort properties. Michael also retains the development rights to additional properties in Sunny Isles Beach that represent over 30 oceanfront acres.

As Dezer Development continues to expand its portfolio, Michael has taken on a new venture, opening his Dezer Collection Museum and Pavilion. An avid car enthusiast and collector for nearly 50 years, Michael today owns over 1,000 of the most unusual vehicles held in any private collection in the world, including American classics from all eras, rare European classics, Hollywood “Star” cars and microcars, along with classic motorcycles and more. In addition to the extraordinary collection of vehicles on display, the museum features one of the largest collections of James Bond props and vehicles in the world.

Over the years, Michael has been a long time staunch supporter of various American and Israeli charities.

PRESIDENT OF DEZER DEVELOPMENT

O ne of the youngest developers of luxury high-rise residential and condo-hotel properties in the United States, Dezer has been instrumental in changing the face and value of the South Florida real estate industry through the introduction of brand partnerships.

In collaboration with real estate mogul Donald J. Trump, Gil 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 in Sunny Isles Beach. Despite the downturn of South Florida’s residential real estate market, and the ongoing recession, Gil managed two remarkable achievements between 2009 and 2010 – securing sufficient sales to pay-off Trump Royale’s $210 million construction loan and the $265 million pay-off of Trump Tower II and III’s mortgage, a combined $475 million.

With a track record of success in leveraging luxury brand partnerships within the real estate arena, in 2012, Gil announced a master licensing agreement with Germany-based Porsche Design Group to expand the iconic brand’s reach into the residential real estate market. The venture’s first project is a 60-story ultra-luxury tower showcasing a one-of-a-kind Patented robotic parking system, the Dezervator, which will allow owners to park their vehicles in ‘sky garages’ directly next to their units. Gil had the foresight to envision the need for this type of building. He believes that the innovative parking technology will serve as a catalyst for future luxury real estate developments around the world, especially in urban cities where parking is a premium.

As testament to how the project has been received by buyers, as well as the lending community, Dezer Development received a $214 million construction loan from Wells Fargo in September 2013, at the time marking the largest loan for a single construction project in the Southeast in the post-recession era. It was a true stamp of approval for Porsche Design Tower.

On the heels of Porsche Design Tower Miami’s success, Gil announced that Dezer Development and The Related Group had partnered with the iconic fashion and furnishings designer, Giorgio Armani, to launch his first-ever residential Tower, Residences by Armani/Casa.

Having earned wide recognition as the developer at the forefront of the luxury branded real estate trend, Gil continues to actively look for other major brands with which he can partner and further define South Florida’s spotlight on the world stage.

Gil’s professional achievements have led him in several areas. Specifically, 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. Gil received the 2012 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 sponsored by the Builders Association of South Florida (BASF), Miami Herald and el Nuevo Herald.

Active in the community, Gil holds several positions which include: one of the Founders of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation; a Young President of the Miami Heart Institute; member of the Florida Friends of Israeli Defense Forces (FFIDF); member of Project Cradle in Miami; member of WIZO Florida and the One Family Fund Organization.