Global Insurance Group Howden Leases 23,658 SF at 600 Brickell World Plaza

Howden, the global insurance intermediary, is deepening its U.S. presence with a 23,658-square-foot lease at 600 Brickell World Plaza in Miami’s financial district. The move aligns with the company’s national growth strategy and leadership expansion, following the appointment of Mike Parrish as CEO of Howden US and Jim Hays as Vice Chairman. Parrish will lead efforts to build a next-generation retail broking business that reflects Howden’s employee-owned and client-driven ethos.

The lease was arranged by Colliers South Florida, with Vice Chair Jonathan Kingsley and Associate Zach Smith representing Howden, alongside Jodie Poirier, President of Occupier Services, and Executive Vice Presidents Ian Gilbert and Bob Rosenthal. Ilene Muñoz, Vice President of Leasing at Elm Spring, represented the landlord, Brickell Holdings, LLC.

“With Brickell established as Miami’s epicenter for global business, we were pleased to support Howden in securing a flagship office setting that reflects their ambitious U.S. expansion strategy,” said Kingsley. “At 600 Brickell, Howden will have the perfect platform to extend their global expertise and deliver exceptional service to clients across key markets.”

Headquartered in London, Howden is the world’s largest employee-owned insurance intermediary, managing more than $42 billion in premiums across 56 countries with a workforce of over 25,000 employees. The firm’s new Miami office will serve as a key foothold in its North American expansion, with occupancy expected in early 2026. The move reflects Miami’s growing appeal to international firms seeking proximity to Latin American markets and a high-profile address within the U.S. financial landscape.

Rising 40 stories and spanning over 1 million square feet, 600 Brickell World Plaza features 26 dedicated office floors, nine-foot ceilings, and panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and the downtown skyline. It is recognized as Florida’s first LEED Platinum-certified high-rise office building, a distinction highlighting its advanced sustainability and technology standards.

The tower offers a 30,000-square-foot landscaped plaza, private fitness center, modern conference and telepresence facilities, on-site management, and 11 levels of secure, covered parking. Located directly on Brickell Avenue, the property sits within walking distance to some of Miami’s top restaurants, banks, and luxury hotels.

With over 80% of Brickell’s 43,000 employees working in finance, law, and tech, the district continues to attract a global roster of professional service firms. Since 2020, nearly 20% of new-to-market leasing activity in Brickell has been driven by international companies.

Notable entrants include CI Financial (Canada), Banco Master (Brazil), WORQ (Malaysia), and SoftBank Group (Japan) — each establishing flagship U.S. offices in the submarket. Howden’s arrival further reinforces Brickell’s position as a global gateway for business, combining prestige, talent density, and international connectivity.

The Agency Expands Presence in Florida with Fort Lauderdale Office

Global luxury real estate brokerage, The Agency, continues its rapid expansion with the opening of its newest office in Fort Lauderdale. This latest addition marks the firm’s fifth location in Florida, joining established offices in Miami, Naples, Orlando, and Palm Beach.

Leading the Fort Lauderdale office is a team of distinguished Managing Partners: Mauricio Umansky, Founder and CEO of The Agency; Santiago Arana, ranked as the #6 top agent in the U.S. by RealTrends; and Howard Elfman, a seasoned real estate professional with over 25 years of experience in South Florida, who will also serve as Managing Broker. Among the office’s standout listings is 733 Middle River Drive, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most expensive properties, priced at $47.9 million and represented by Rick Teed.

Fort Lauderdale has emerged as a key market for luxury real estate, driven by its vibrant lifestyle and strong investment appeal. Mauricio Umansky emphasized The Agency’s dedication to the region, stating, “With some of the industry’s most influential leaders at the helm, our Fort Lauderdale office is poised for success as we continue to expand throughout South Florida. Fort Lauderdale has quickly become a prime destination for buyers, and The Agency’s unmatched global network and expertise are perfectly positioned to serve this dynamic market. With its vibrant lifestyle and strong investment potential, we’re excited to bring The Agency’s signature brand to this thriving region.”

The Fort Lauderdale launch is part of The Agency’s significant global expansion efforts. In 2024 alone, the brokerage opened 28 offices, bringing its total to over 130 locations across 12 countries. Recognized by The Financial Times as one of America’s Fastest Growing Companies, The Agency has also ranked on Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing private companies for seven consecutive years.

In addition to its global reach, The Agency has cemented its reputation as a leader in the luxury real estate space, earning accolades such as Inman’s Luxury Brokerage of the Year and a top 20 spot on the 2024 RealTrends 500 list.

The new Fort Lauderdale office, located at 901 E Las Olas Blvd #204, positions The Agency as a vital player in the region’s luxury market. Howard Elfman expressed his excitement, stating, “Fort Lauderdale is experiencing incredible growth, and I am personally honored to expand our office with passionate, like-minded agents who share our commitment to collaboration.”

Miami-Based Private Equity Group Galium Capital Continues Rapid Expansion With Acquisition of Hanover Cross Street In Baltimore, MD

Galium Capital, LLC, a Miami-based private equity group, has announced the acquisition of Hanover Cross Street in Baltimore, MD. Hanover Cross Street is a 299-unit institutional-grade multifamily apartment building with an additional 12,000 square feet of retail located in Baltimore, MD. The transaction closed on November 17, 2021. Bill Roohan & Brian Margerum from CBRE brokered the transaction. Stephen West & Matthew Wallach from Walker Dunlop secured debt from Freddie Mac.

“The DC-Baltimore corridor is one the strongest markets for multifamily in the US. Its resilient industry mix and high job growth will directly benefit performance of the rental market over time. We are excited to be acquiring such a premier asset in the heart of Federal Hill – which is among the most attractive neighborhoods of the submarket. The acquisition of Hanover Cross Street allows us to continue our strategy of acquiring irreplaceable assets for value creation and wealth preservation,” said Jacques Bessoudo, Managing Partner of Galium Capital.

Hanover Cross Street is a luxury apartment community in Baltimore, MD which was developed in 2018 and is located at 101 W Cross St, Baltimore MD, 21320. The property features 299 units, world-class amenities and 12,000 square feet of retail.

Units at Hanover Cross Street range from studio to two bedroom floor plans and 557 to 1,312 square feet. Residences feature large bedrooms; custom space-saving double-hung walk-in closets; spacious kitchens with stainless steel appliances and designer custom cabinetry; spa-inspired bathrooms with large soaking tubs, dual-vanity countertops and walk-in showers; wood-style flooring and full-size high-efficiency washer and dryers. Select residences feature private terraces and built-in computer desks.

Residents will have access to world class amenities such as a controlled-access parking garage with dedicated car charging stations, a cyber lounge with high-speed WiFi and iMac computers, conference areas with SMART TV's, a fully-equipped residents' clubhouse, media rooms with large screen TV's and surround-sound, and a 24-hour fitness center with tablet-integrated cardio machines.

Outdoor amenities include a resort-like grand courtyard with outdoor pool, in-pool chaise lounges and areas for sunning; lush landscaping, grilling and dining areas with social spaces for gathering; and an open-air loggia with large screen TV's and cozy seating areas.

“Given the strong market dynamics in the DC-Baltimore region, the Mid-Atlantic region has been a major area of focus for us. We are thrilled to be entering the Federal Hill submarket with this acquisition, which has proved to me one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the metro,” said Jonathan Slomianski, Director of Acquisitions at Galium Capital.

Hanover Cross Street is located a short distance to Marc Train Camden Station, Cross Street Market, Baltimore's Inner Harbor, and M&T.

Galium Capital, LLC, is a Miami-based private equity group led by Jacques Bessoudo and Iser Rabinovitz. The company owns and manages a portfolio in excess of $600 million of commercial real estate assets across the multifamily, office, and retail sectors in major markets across the United States.

Recently, Galium Capital had been one of the most active buyers in the Houston, TX market. In the past 12 months Galium Capital has acquired over 1,100 residential units and 65K of retail square footage in prime locations throughout Houston’s Galleria submarket. In August Galium Capital closed on the 340-unit, LEED Gold-certified Millennium High Street for the group’s third acquisition in the Galleria-district after closing on on the 431-unit Tate Tanglewood in May 2021 and 361-unit, Fairmont on San Felipe in September 2020.

Magic City Tech Boom? Microsoft In Negotiations At 830 Brickell And Elon Musk Wants To Build Tunnels Under Miami

Miami, the magic city, is on track to become the next Silicon Valley as the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has brought people flocking to South Florida. Florida saw the second highest population growth over any other state in 2020, following Texas, adding over 240,000 new residents in a single year. The influx of new residents is being driven by those looking to take advantage of remote-working opportunities or seek a state that has let business remain open and has pro-business tax structure. This has led to Miami and Palm Beach real estate pricing and absorption reaching near record highs.

Not only are the new residents flocking from the high-tax New York, at the same time as South Florida’s population boom, the San Francisco Bay Area has seen an exodus of venture capitalists and tech entrepreneurs. Mayor Francis Suarez has opened up the city to tech entrepreneurs and has expressed interest in bringing innovative companies to the magic city and making Miami a global tech hub. Mayor Suarez recently announced he will be appointing a Chief Technology Officer for the city.

Miami’s office market is being a surge in demand and setting record high pricing. Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is one of the major tech firms looking to move to Miami, the multinational software provider is actively in negotiations to lease 30,000 square feet of space at OKO Group’s 830 Brickell, a 56-story office tower adjacent to Brickell City Centre which is currently under construction. Pricing is still relatively cheap compared to other major markets, asking rates at 830 Brickell are reportedly in the $70’s PSF range. Ken Griffin’s Citadel Securities hedge fund is also reportedly looking at office space in 830 Brickell as is the Chicago-based law firm Baker McKenzie.

The biggest news came when Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted that he had talked with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis about building a tunnel system underneath Miami to eliminate traffic and pollution. Mayor Suarez tweed that “we will do it,” and invited Musk to visit him at City Hall. In the past Miami has had success building tunnels at a comparatively low cost. The initiative would be led by Elon Musk’s Boring Company, who is getting ready to reveal the Vegas Loop to the public, a 4,475’ tunnel loop under the Las Vegas Convention Center. In the Las Vegas Loop passengers will reach speeds up to 155 mph and will ride in Tesla Model X’s, Model 3’s, and a 16-passenger modified Model 3. Las Vegas in now working with the Boring Company to build a citywide network of tunnels.

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Kreps DeMaria PR Repositions Into Two Companies

Kreps DeMaria Public Relations & Marketing is reengineering itself into two different companies. Kreps DeMaria is consistently ranked among the top three PR firms in South Florida for the last thirty years. The firm currently represent some of Miami’s best hotels, banks, law firms and real estate developments. The two new companies will be Cultivate PR, a Sissy DeMaria + Campbell + Acker Agency, and Israel Kreps PR led by Israel Kreps.

Cultivate PR will be a lifestyle public relations agency to offer clients an integrated, disciplined and strategic approach to their public relations business. Offices will be in Miami, New York and LA and will offer global impact through its proprietary WorldWise PR Affiliates. The new firm will offer PR services in consulting, branding, digital marketing, social media, media planning and crisis management. Sissy DeMaria-Koehne will be CEO, Ansley Campbell will be partner and President, and Laura Acker will be President of the firm’s New York Office. Sofia Borges has been appointed from outside the company to Director of Digital Marketing to work with Stephanie DeMaria Rosado the Social Media Director and firm Partner.

“The pandemic has become a punctuation mark and pivotal point in our lives. It accelerated our decision to forge new paths with a nod to the nostalgia of our great memories together at Kreps DeMaria,” added DeMaria-Koehne. “We are both committed and invested in our clients and to offering them a smooth and seamless transition.”

“It is time to challenge the old adage “if it is not broken, don’t fix it.” Complacency is an enemy. After nearly twenty-five years building Kreps De Maria into a powerhouse PR firm, it was time to reinvent, rebirth and reposition, into the agency of the future which is a Data plus creativity focused agency. The PR industry, like advertising and media before it, is undergoing disruption. With the formation of Cultivate we don’t intend to carry the torch, rather we want to light it. Social Media is the new Public Relations and Public Relations is the new Social Media. We wanted to break the mold and create a new fresh, energetic and data + creative lifestyle agency that blends both of those best practices.” said DeMaria-Koehne.

Cultivate PR, a Sissy DeMaria + Campbell + Acker Agency, will specialize in real estate, automotive, luxury retail, wealth management and hospitality industries. It will be headquartered at 300 Sevilla Avenue in Coral Gables and will continue to operate its Manhattan office at 232 Madison Avenue.

Miami-based Private Equity Group Galium Capital Enters The Houston Multifamily Market With The Acquisition of The Fairmont on San Felipe

Galium Capital, a Miami-based real estate investment group, has announced the acquisition of The Fairmont on San Felipe in Houston, TX. The Fairmont on San Felipe is a 361-unit institutional-grade multifamily apartment building located within the business and Galleria shopping district of Uptown in Houston. The transaction closed on September 21, 2020.

“We have had our eye on the Texas markets for some time, and we are happy to enter Houston by acquiring one of the most iconic multifamily properties in its submarket. The Fairmont on San Felipe is an institutional-grade legacy asset located in one of the most desirable areas in Houston. It is a stabilized asset with significant value add potential, and we look forward to continuing enhancing the building’s long-term performance with Greystar as our partner on the management side.” said Jacques Bessoudo, Managing Partner of Galium Capital.

The Fairmont on San Felipe was developed in 2009 and is located at 6363 San Felipe St. The property features 361 units with 41,383 SF of retail on 6.10 acres of land. The Fairmont on San Felipe was 94% occupied at acquisition with an average rent of $1.61 PSF. Upon acquisition the property will be operated by Greystar, the largest multifamily operator in the United States with over 660,000 units under management.

Units at The Fairmont on San Felipe range from one to two-bedroom floor plans and 609 to 1,403 square feet. The Fairmont on San Felipe also offers residents some of the best amenities in the area including a two-story state-of-the-art fitness center with complimentary workout classes, a resident’s library with work stations, a resident’s lounge, a rooftop garden, courtyard and an outdoor living room overlooking a resort-style swimming pool as well as a second swimming pool on-site. Tenants in the retail properties provide further convenience for residents and include St. Luke’s Hospital, Cafe Adel, University Oaks and La Argentina Gelato & Coffee, amongst others.

“We are excited about our first acquisition in Houston and happy to be entering the market with such a premier asset that is stabilized while having strong upside opportunities. We see tremendous potential for growth in the Houston market as well as in this this asset, and look forward to maximizing performance for our investors during our ownership,” said Jonathan Slomianski, Acquisitions at Galium Capital.  

Jordon Emmott from National Apartment Advisors represented the seller. Matthew Wallach from Walker & Dunlop arranged the financing.

Galium Capital owns and manages a portfolio in excess of $350 million of commercial real estate assets across the multifamily, office, and retail sectors in major markets across the United States. The Fairmont on San Felipe is Galium Capital’s second acquisition of 2020 after the group closed on the 1333 Main St. office assemblage in the Downtown CBD of Columbia, SC. in March 2020.