Wayne Boich & Jimmy Butler Host Reserve Cup presented by Richard Mille

Wayne Boich, Founder and CEO of Reserve Padel, together with NBA icon, Jimmy Butler, are excited to announce the debut of the first-ever Reserve Cup Presented by Richard Mille in Miami, this February. Showcasing the pinnacle of padel players alongside top-tier entertainment, exceptional dining, curated shopping, and luxurious indulgences, the Reserve Cup will bring together 14 of the world’s best padel players to compete in an exhilarating 3-day padel showcase, from Thursday, February 8th through Saturday, February 10th. The premier lifestyle sporting event will take place on-site at Reserve Padel Miami Seaplane, the flagship location of the Reserve brand located on an island of reclaimed land beneath the MacArthur Causeway.

“Having spent the last 18 months laying the groundwork at Reserve leading up to this pivotal event, launching Reserve Cup Presented by Richard Mille in Miami is a testament to the vision we’ve worked diligently to bring to life, and I extend my sincere thanks to Richard Mille for their invaluable support in helping to make this possible,” says Reserve Padel Founder/CEO, Wayne Boich. “This will be the largest independently owned padel event in the world, set to redefine the landscape of elite padel tournaments for years to come.”

Famed Miami Heat superstar and padel enthusiast, Jimmy Butler, will serve as a partner in this year’s Reserve Cup Presented by Richard Mille, as well as a dedicated team captain to one of the two participating teams. New York Yankees Legend and Hall of Famer, Derek Jeter, will serve as the second team captain of the tournament. Fourteen out of the top twenty global players have confirmed their participation, all hailing from the top 10 ranked teams worldwide. This includes the leading #1, #3, and #4 teams in the world, showcasing players such as Juan Lebrón Chincoa, Alejandro Galán, Franco Stupaczuk, Martin Di Nenno, Federico Chingotto, and Jerónimo “Momo” Gonzalez.

“Miami is in for something special,” says Reserve Cup Partner/Team Captain, Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. “I’m thrilled to be a part of this global Padel movement with Wayne, both as a partner and as a team captain of the Reserve Cup. I’ve seen Padel come a long way over the last couple of years, and I’m very excited for the future of the sport. Looking forward to this tournament which will be a lot of fun and great for the city of Miami.”

Reserve was created as a platform to showcase the sport of padel through the development of world-class padel clubs, high-end court construction and maintenance, tournaments, pop-ups, exclusive apparel, and premier events nationwide. Since its inception in early 2023, Reserve has made a name for itself as the leading lifestyle padel brand propelling the sport to mass popularity throughout the U.S. by providing unmatched luxury amenities and experiences for both seasoned players and newcomers. Reserve Cup is an elite, annual competition hosted yearly by Reserve Padel, poised to elevate the sport to new heights. Presented by Richard Mille, the upcoming competition promises to deliver an amplified experience of thrilling action and fierce competition.

The weekend kicks off on Wednesday with an exclusive pro-am event at 12PM, followed by a draft ceremony at 7PM, and an invite-only welcome event. The first match of the day will start at 5PM on Thursday and Friday. Saturday brings a crowd-drawing celebrity charity match at 4PM, followed by player matches at 5PM. The winner’s trophy ceremony wraps up after the third match, concluding with a closing party at 10PM. A designated VIP section, coined Reserve Club by Richard Mille, will be featured at the event, offering exclusivity to Reserve Members.

How to Play:

Reserve Cup is a mixture of the Ryder Cup (golf) and the Laver Cup (tennis), in true padel fashion. Two teams of 7 players compete for the Reserve Cup over three days for half a million dollars. Teams will be selected by a draft system on Wednesday, February 7th. Each match day to follow will be played to the best of three sets. Each team captain will present the day’s lineup 30 minutes before the first match begins.

Special Rule – Player Substitutions: Introducing a dynamic element to game strategy in a game-changing twist, each team captain holds the power to replace one player daily, enabling one substitution at any point during any one match.

Point System: On Day 1, each match is worth 1 point. Day 2, each match is worth 2 points. Day 3, each match is worth 3 points. In the event of a tie between the teams at the end of the competition, the team who won more matches on day 3 will be the champion.

Reserve Cup Presented by Richard Mille will take place at the Reserve Cup Stadium at Reserve Padel Miami Seaplane Base: 1000 MacArthur Causeway Miami, FL, 33132. For pre-sale information visit www.reservepadel.com.

Aimco Partners with Camillus House and Provides $1 Million Contribution to Advance Workforce Development

Apartment Investment and Management Company (“Aimco”), a diversified real estate investment company, has pledged $1,000,000 to Miami-based Camillus House to support expanded workforce development programs. 

In discussions with Miami’s civic and community leaders it became clear that despite a strong job market, many of Miami’s residents don’t possess the necessary skills or experience to obtain better-paying jobs and are, therefore, unable to benefit from Miami’s rapidly growing economy.  As a major investor in South Florida, it is important to Aimco that those at all levels of the economic spectrum have the opportunity to excel and in turn, contribute to the broader community. 

Since its founding in 1960, Camillus House has been a pillar of the Miami community. Created to provide meals and spiritual comfort to homeless Cuban exiles and other poor and hungry Miamians, Camillus House has grown steadily into one of the largest providers of services to the most vulnerable population in the community. Camillus House houses more than 1,700 people nightly through its 11 residential facilities and scattered-site apartments across Miami-Dade County. Some of its programs include Day Center services, Specialized Street Outreach programs, Homeless Prevention initiatives, and comprehensive workforce development and life skills programming. 

“Many people experiencing homelessness want to work, but without the necessary training and skills it’s extremely difficult for them to earn enough income to move forward,” explained Hilda M. Fernandez, Camillus House CEO.  “Thanks to this critical and very generous multiyear grant from Aimco, we can now expand our workforce development program to provide the guidance, support, and vocational training that can help prevent homelessness and change the lives of the great many men and women we serve throughout Miami-Dade County.” 

In partnership with Aimco, the Camillus House Workforce Development Initiative will provide opportunities to Camillus House residents such as participation in construction trade programs operated by Florida International University and funded by Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency, an eight-week culinary certificate through the Miami-Dade College Culinary Arts Program, and employment opportunities with the Downtown Enhancement Team through the City of Miami’s Downtown Development Authority and Omni Community Redevelopment Agency.

In addition, through its Aimco Cares program, Aimco will sponsor scholarships to individuals in the Camillus House program designed to remove barriers to employment for those looking to obtain or maintain a job. The scholarships will cover job-related costs, such as bus passes, licensing fees, uniforms, classes, and similarly required ancillary costs crucial to succeed in gainful employment opportunities.

“Aimco Cares’ mission is to empower the most vulnerable by giving them the tools required to improve their quality of life,” said Jennifer Johnson, Aimco’s Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. “Being able to obtain and maintain higher-paying jobs is the building block for a long-term and sustainable solution for many Miami residents. As a real estate developer, it is our responsibility to give back to the communities in which we are active and passionate. Aimco is thrilled to be part of the Miami community and looks forward to future investments in the City and its residents.” 

Lotus House Woman's Shelter Reveals Children's Village In Miami's Overtown Neighborhood

Sixteen years after its founding, the nation’s largest women’s shelter is embarking on an ambitious expansion plan that will extend its reach deeper into the Miami community to better serve children and youth. Lotus House, a nonprofit shelter in Miami’s historic Overtown district, is growing its suite of supportive services with the creation of a “Children’s Village” that will feature deeper educational supports and programming for children and youth of all ages, community support facilities, therapeutic and social services, and a long awaited playground. The Children’s Village will also serve as home to other community-based nonprofits, offering an array of resources and programming for children and youth and their families in Overtown and surrounding neighborhoods.

The Children’s Village will be located directly across the street from Lotus Village, the organization’s state of the art shelter which opened its doors in 2017. Lotus Village currently serves up to 500 women and children nightly through an evidence-based model that has set a national standard for the delivery of wrap-around services to women and children experiencing homelessness, many of whom are victims of domestic violence. The new building will comprise five floors housing classrooms, supportive services and resources for children and youth of all ages from within Lotus Village and the surrounding community.

The nonprofit’s expansion is made possible through Lotus Village II, LLC’s recently completed $3.5 million acquisition of five parcels of land located at NW 14th Terrace and NW 2nd Avenue. The total project cost is estimated to be $20 million, which will be funded through a combination of philanthropic gifts and financing arranged by Lotus Endowment Fund, Inc. Lotus Endowment has launched a capital campaign to raise the private funds needed to build, operate, and maintain The Children’s Village at Lotus Village.

Development of The Children’s Village represents a natural next phase for Lotus House, filling critical gaps and expanding essential therapeutic and educational supports for both the children and youth they shelter and those who live nearby. Currently, children aged newborn to three access the United Way Center for Early Education and Childcare housed within the shelter. The Children’s Village will continue that educational continuum and provide enriched supports through the pre-school years and beyond, including high school.

“When it comes to ending homelessness among our youth, ensuring access to education and the socialization that comes with it is just as essential as providing food, healthcare, and shelter. I am often reminded that play is children’s work. Play is how children learn, express themselves creatively, develop strong social and emotional skills, explore and discover the world around them. The Children’s Village will offer therapeutic services, educational support, diverse programming, and a creative environment for the children and youth of Overtown, including those sheltered at Lotus House, equipping them to succeed in school and life,” says Constance Collins, Executive Director of Lotus House.

“By co-locating with other non-profits within The Children’s Village, we are establishing a new model for unprecedented collaboration, community engagement, cooperation, and holistic support for children and families. The pandemic has exacerbated so many inequities, gaps, and needs in our community, particularly for the children and youth we shelter. With our community’s generous support, The Children’s Village will make many more dreams come true here in the heart of Overtown,” she added.

Since launching in 2006, Lotus House has sheltered more than 9,000 women, youth and children experiencing homelessness, with more than 80 percent of the shelter’s guests successfully exiting the shelter system and achieving greater financial self-sufficiency. More than providing a sanctuary, Lotus House offers holistic support services including restorative therapies for children and adults, job readiness training, employment assistance, life skills training, early childhood education, medical and mental health services, and more. Together, these tools empower women and children to heal, transform, and achieve greater self-sufficiency.

Undeterred by the pandemic, Lotus House served a record-breaking number of people last year, sheltering 1,526 women, youth, and children through December of 2021. Lotus Village has invested heavily in operational protocols aimed at ensuring the health and well-being of shelter guests – from deep cleaning protocols to investments in UV light technology that eliminates airborne bacteria. The shelter also introduced programs and therapies to assist children and adults in adapting to the realities of the pandemic. Shelter guests have had access to weekly COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration onsite.

Creation of The Children’s Village will be made possible by the support of Lotus Endowment Fund, Inc, a non-profit foundation that supports Lotus House and its initiatives. The development will benefit from the continued in-kind support of general contractor Civic Construction; Behar-Font & Partners architects; engineers M2E Consulting, Inc.; law firm Bilzin Sumberg, where a team of attorneys including Sara Barli Herald, Brittany Chung, Enza Boderone, Brianna Sainte and Howard Nelson is spearheading all facets of acquisition, financing, zoning and permitting; and construction attorneys at Cole Scott Kissane, among others.

Image via Behar Font

Win An Exclusive Tour Of CMC Group's Brickell Flatiron With Ugo Colombo Which Is Being Auctioned Off For Charity

Do you want to spend a day with Ugo Colombo while helping empower young girls through the magic of futbol? Don’t miss your chance to talk shop with Ugo Colombo and receive an exclusive tour of CMC’s Group Brickell Flatiron in support of Goleadoras, a world-wide movement aimed at empowering young girls through the magic of “futbol”. Widely-recognized for creating some of Miami’s most sought-after addresses, including EPIC, Santa Maria, Bristol Towers, this is a rare opportunity to spend a day with one of South Florida’s most respected and successful residential and commercial developers.

“I’ve seen firsthand how being part of a team translates to professional success, which is why I’m proud to support Goleadoras and their work to empower girls in Latin America and beyond through soccer,” said Ugo Colombo, founder of CMC Group. “Soccer teaches patience, perseverance, creativity and discipline, all of which are critical to developing the world’s next generation of young leaders.”

CharityBuzz auction featuring UGO COLOMBO is now live! Visit http://bit.ly/2TPBAui now through December 5, 2018 at 9:34PM EST to place your bid.

Property Donated To Mt. Sinai Medical Center On Hibiscus Island Sells For $11.6 Million

320 S Hibiscus has sold for 11.6 million after the former owners donated the luxurious property to Mt. Sinai Medical Center. Douglas Elliman agents Eloy Carmenate and Mick Duchon agreed to a very reduced commission to represent the sale and all proceeds and most commissions earned will be donated to the hospital. 320 S Hibiscus Drive was donated to Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation in 2003 via a life estate by the previous owners, who believed in enhancing the well-being of the community by supporting the medical center’s mission. The buyer, who was represented by Natalia Gryczynska of Douglas Elliman Real Estate, plans to develop 2 homes on the site. The property was originally listed for $13,950,000.

Founded in 1949, Mount Sinai Medical Center is the largest independent, private, not-for-profit teaching hospital in South Florida. One of the original statutory teaching hospitals in the state of Florida, Mount Sinai is the hospital of choice for those who seek the level of expertise and care that only a teaching hospital can offer. Mount Sinai currently offers ten convenient locations in Miami-Dade County and two cardiology offices in Monroe County.

For more information about this property, private showings or purchasing information please fill out the form below:

Arbor in Coconut Grove Announces Partnership With Miami-Dade's Million Trees Miami Campaign

The 52-residence Arbor, Coconut Grove’s latest boutique condo offering, jointly developed by Urban Atlantic Group and Oak Ventures, announced a partnership with Miami-Dade County’s Million Trees Miami Campaign. Million Trees Miami is a community effort to plant one million trees by 2020 and achieve a 30% tree canopy, which is the national standard for a healthy, urban environment. The program was created by Neat Streets Miami to bring awareness to the social, economic, and environmental benefits that sustainable urban landscapes provide, including enhanced quality of communities and their sustained livability. Arbor is the first residential development to take part in Miami-Dade County’s initiative to plant one million trees by 2020.  

Nick Hamann, Arbor’s lead developer, is a Coconut Grove resident himself and principal with Urban Atlantic Group. He is the first residential developer to participate in the initiative by registering the trees planted at Arbor with the Million Trees Miami campaign. Hamann says, "It’s important that we set a good policy and lead by example. If we all work together, we can find creative solutions to create and maintain a sustainable urban environment for future generations. We hope our partnership will raise awareness and encourage others to join the cause.” 

Dennis C. Moss, Neat Streets Miami Chairman and Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner, notes how important tree canopy is “[d]ue to Miami-Dade County’s rapid development and recent devastating storms.” As storms and rising sea levels become more unpredictable due to climate change, trees and other vegetation will be key in helping mitigate the effects of flooding, pollution, and erosion. 

Miami joins other metropolitan cities such as Washington D.C., Charlotte, Los Angeles, and New York City, who have recognized the benefits of similar city-wide tree campaigns. Arbor and Million Trees Miami will also team-up throughout the year to host educational and hands-on tree planting events, with the first slated for May 18, 2018 at Coconut Grove Elementary School. 

Sales for Arbor launched in mid-March 2017 and completion is slated for 2019. Residences start at $799,000. Douglas Elliman is exclusively handling sales for the project. For more information or to get involved, visit http://milliontrees.miamidade.gov/home.asp. 

Article by Katya Demina

Read our PROFILE Exclusive with Nick Hamann of Urban Atlantic Group and Jeremy Waks of Oak Ventures, LLC. discussing Arbor and bringing eco-friendly living to Coconut Grove.

Oleta Partners Announces Free Construction Training Program with CBT College

Despite the high demand for commercial construction in recent years, contractors are coming up short on skilled labor due to an ongoing shortage. The low cost of capital and re-emergence of the commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) market have made lending easier and enabled liquidity, which has fueled the demand for sustainable developments.  

The lack of vocational training in high schools has led to a skills gap and a smaller number of younger students pursuing careers in construction. Project costs and availability of labor are the two most prominent concerns for builders according to members of the National Association of Home Builders. In anticipating an industry need, Oleta Partners announced its partnership with CBT College to offer free construction training to North Miami Senior High School seniors. Oleta Partners is currently developing the largest project in North Miami’s history, SoL Mia, a premier, master-planned community set on 183 acres of the last undeveloped land in South Florida east of Biscayne Boulevard. 

The program, which will be managed by SoL Mia’s Local Preference Office, officially kicked off on March 5th at an orientation with 20 participating students and their parents, CBT College faculty and staff members, Oleta Partners representatives and City officials. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S, added 210,000 new construction jobs in 2017. This program allows Oleta to support the local community and keep up with industry growth by providing a steady supply of labor and fostering the next generation of qualified construction workers. 

“The creation of workforce development programs allows us to positively impact this community long term,” said LeFrak’s Managing Director of Development & Acquisition, Michael Tillman. “This tailored program will equip students with the right skill sets to prepare them for a future career in construction.” "As an additional resource for students, Oleta Partners will also provide free transportation to and from CBT College."

The training will span seven months, beginning in March, during which time students will complete courses in Building Construction Technology and be introduced to different trades such as carpentry, masonry and plumbing. At least 50 percent of the learning will be hand-ons training geared towards providing real-world experience, taught by experienced faculty in the school’s laboratories. Throughout its five locations in Miami-Dade County, CBT College provides access to career training with a focus on technology and sciences. “We’re thrilled to be working with SoL Mia and supporting these students by giving them a leg up in the early stages of their careers,” said Luis Llerena, CBT College’s Miami Gardens Campus Director.

To reconcile the lack of vocational training and an unskilled workforce in the South Florida market, the private sector has taken the initiative upon itself to tackle this public issue. In order to address the gap on a macroeconomic scale, there would need to be a more balanced technical school curriculum, broader career guidance in schools, and a greater availability of training through apprenticeships. Introducing vocational training into the broader school curriculum and creating partnerships for apprenticeships would improve accessibility to training needed for certification, which is usually at least 2,000 hours. Albeit with good intention, parents and guidance counselors are pushing for academic prowess and college education, instead of adapting to rapidly changing technological changes. This leaves students with only two tiers of career options, while neglecting middle-class skilled jobs. College graduate employment rates are at an all time low, so a degree doesn’t guarantee a job anymore either. 

After successful completion of the construction training program, students would earn 21 college credits and would receive a diploma in Building Construction Technology. With their training and diploma, students will be better prepared for a potential future career in an industry that has potential for high wages, demand, and self-employment.

Article by Katya Demina