Revolutionizing New Development Sales: A Conversation with Tim Ng, Founder of Blackline

Blackline is a cutting-edge real estate sales platform designed to streamline new development sales through technology. Founded by industry veteran Tim Ng who has over 16 years of experience, the platform has already facilitated the sale of 80,000 units in Canada and is now expanding into Miami. Blackline offers tools like interactive floorplans, inventory management, and custom reporting, helping developers and sales teams work more efficiently and make data-driven decisions.

Give us your background, how did you get involved in the real estate industry?

I come from a real estate family… literally. Both my parents were in the industry on the brokerage and developer side, so it’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Watching them navigate the market and sell real estate was an inspiration and it felt natural to follow in their footsteps. What I didn’t want to do was go the traditional route. I wanted to combine my passion for technology with real estate. So 16 years ago, straight out of university, I started our parent company, Adhoc Studio, which focused on creating award-winning renderings and building interactive sales gallery software.

Why did you decide to set out on your own to launch a real estate software?

Working closely with developers and sales teams for over 16 years, I saw firsthand the challenges and inefficiencies within the new development sales and marketing process. These experiences sparked my interest in finding solutions that could streamline operations and create efficiencies that will bring this segment of the industry into the digital age. My process for the research phase was anything but Adhoc. I conducted focus groups with industry change-makers and thought leaders, and after a year of listening and understanding the needs of my future clients, I realized what we can offer is going to be a game-changer.  

Tell us about Blackline? Who is it for and what services does the Blackline offer? 

Blackline is an industry-leading sales platform built to accelerate new development sales. Ideal for developers, sales agencies and brokerages, the platform brings a very antiquated process of new development sales into the digital age. Utilizing robust features like the interactive floorplan module, inventory management, custom reporting and suite stacking plans enables our clients to sell faster and more efficiently, resulting in higher profits and data driven insights.

What inspired you to expand Blackline to Miami? What factors did you consider when choosing Miami as the next market for expansion?

After establishing Blackline as a market leader selling over 80,000 units across Canada on the platform in our first 4 years, I wanted to strategically expand to the US. South Florida, particularly Miami fit the bill as their sales and marketing programs are similar to Toronto. Additionally, Miami’s dynamic and diverse real estate landscape, combined with the lifestyle appeal of condo living, made it an ideal entry point that aligned with our mission to provide cutting-edge tools that meet the needs of a fast-paced, evolving market.

What value does Blackline add for the developers and sales teams?

The Blackline platform combines innovation and sophistication to deliver features developers and sales teams can utilize to propel their new development sales programs. From the realtor portal to writing up final contracts, everything is branded and customized to the specific project. The platform has been built for realtor engagement, maximizing operational efficiency while also capturing the highest revenue. By using Blackline, clients also get access to real-time insights on their projects that show demand, activity and over 100 reports that can help inform them in making data-driven decisions. This data can help inform marketing strategies and planning of multi-phased selling programs. With all the tools you need, developer and brokerages save time and money while maximizing revenue.

How has the software evolved since you first launched? What new features or services can users expect in the near future?

Part of our corporate mission is to always be innovating. We stay closely connected to industry trends and experts to inform us of new pain points and the evolving needs. We recently launched two new features, Blackline Cast and Blackline Realm. Both cater towards enhancing the experience for realtors and buyers in sales galleries and tie into the Blackline software seamlessly. At the five year mark for the company, we are working to launch Blackline V2 which will have a lot more customization and control for clients while further creating efficiencies for their sales programs. Also, we are excited to be working on building a CRM into the platform which will make Blackline a front to back, full-service solution for New development sales.

What sets Blackline apart from other real estate sales software or CRM systems? 

We pride ourselves on Blackline being a platform that is built for the industry, by the industry. We spent over a year meeting with leading developers and sales companies to deeply understand the complexities, needs, and pain points of the sales and marketing process. Our mission was clear: to digitize and streamline the manual processes that sales teams, realtors, contract administrators, and marketing teams handle daily, making their workflows more efficient and seamless. 

How do you plan to integrate Blackline into the Miami market and what unique opportunities do you see there?

Miami is an exciting market right now. With the plethora of branded residences and high profile projects, Blackline is ideal for developers looking to maintain brand value through the sales process while being efficient and easy to use. Our platform is being utilized by CMC Group and Fort Partners for the Four Seasons Coconut Grove and we are excited to have other branded residences adopt the platform for their sales programs.

What challenges do you anticipate facing when expanding Blackline to Miami and how do you plan to overcome them?

The localized nuances of a new market will always be one of the biggest challenges. Each real estate market has a tried and true way of doing things and not everyone is open to change. Blackline also has an educational component to understanding how it can take your sales program to the next level. The challenges we face right now are trying to introduce it on a large scale to the Miami industry players. We’ve been fortunate to develop close relationships and align with some of the industry’s top sales and marketing leaders early on in our expansion and they have been mentors to us providing their invaluable guidance as we expand into the South Florida market. 

You have built out quite a team at Blackline, tell us about the team and how you plan to expand in Miami?

Our product, engineering, and customer success teams are made up of seasoned vets who have been at the forefront of real estate technologies and innovation for the past 16 years. Many of our team members have firsthand experience working for developers and new development brokerages, so they truly understand the industry - we really ‘get it’. Before we decided to expand into the Miami market, we spent 6 months learning the local market - engaging with new development realtors, listening sessions with sales managers and contract administrators at sales galleries. We also have our team there monthly, meeting with developers and brokerages, educating about the product whenever possible and attending industry events to stay connected to our clients. 

How do you envision Blackline making a positive impact on the Miami community?

Miami is ready for change and I feel Blackline is perfectly suited to complement the current lineup of large residential projects in the pipeline. Miami real estate is also being watched on a global stage and using Blackline gives developer and sales team the ability to connect with clients anywhere, anytime. The ability for everyone involved with a pre-construction transaction (developer, sales team, outside realtor, purchaser, lawyer) to interact with a single ecosystem will streamline their experience, maintain brand value and result in a more efficient sales process. 

What long-term goals do you have for Blackline in Miami and beyond and how do you plan to achieve them?

Miami is a primary market we’re focused on in the US but we have our sights set on going global. There is a real appetite to integrate technology into the new development sales process and Blackline is suited ideally for those looking to accelerate their sales, achieve efficiency and make data driven decisions for their projects. We are offering a product that has proven itself with over 80,000 units sold on the platform and we continue to innovate to meet industry needs. Through targeted education of the product, and exposure from marquee projects looking to adopt the platform, we believe Blackline will soon become the industry standard for new development sales, not only in Miami but globally.

PMG and YUPIX Expand Partnership To Launch New Projects In Meta-Reality

YUPIX, an immersive technology platform that is revolutionizing the real estate industry, has expanded their partnership with nationwide developer Property Markets Group (PMG) following unparalleled sales in their first project together, E11EVEN Hotel & Residences, co-developed by E11EVEN Partners. This second phase in the ongoing partnership puts four exclusive new residential towers across Miami in front of high-net-worth buyers through multisensory meta-reality tours before construction begins.

Data from YUPIX’s meta-reality tours with PMG have shown a high sales conversion rate above 90% in multi-million dollar residences. A testament to the technology’s power to influence decision making, over $700 million were generated in direct sales over a 5-month period as a result of the YUPIX tours for E11EVEN Residences.

“Our partnership with YUPIX has been extremely successful and we are excited to expand it to our other projects,” said Ryan Shear, Managing Partner of PMG. “YUPIX’s immersive experience is one of the many reasons why E11EVEN Residences Beyond has been so well received. Virtual Reality and meta technology are tools that help us as developers work more efficiently and help buyers make more informed decisions.”

YUPIX’s cutting-edge technology will be on display in each building’s sales gallery and pop-up activations, allowing prospective buyers to interact with meta-reality simulations of a tower’s opulent amenities, panoramic views, and high-design residences. Using high-definition headsets and an acute attention to detail, the tours allow participants to gain a deeper perception of each development - like walking through various unit layouts and visualizing customized finishes. With Miami a booming market for international buyers, YUPIX showcases projects to a global audience by offering tours in cities around the world - from Dubai and New York to Mexico City and Nassau.

“Our technology’s hyper-realistic content offers users the opportunity to experience a product from anywhere in the world before construction even begins,” said Patricio Navarro, CEO of YUPIX. “It disrupts the industry’s traditional sales process; allowing developers to sell the most expensive units and penthouses before breaking ground, which is historically unheard of.”

The YUPIX Arena is located at 2811 NW 5 Ave., Miami, FL 33127, and offers tours by appointment only.

Micah Johnson Debut's Aku World For Miami Art Week As Digital NFT Astronaut Enters Physical World In Partnership With FTX US

Aku, the digital explorer and crypto-native NFT IP created by artist and former MLB player Micah Johnson, will come to life for the first time since its inception with Aku World: Miami presented by FTX US from December 2-4, 2021 in the vibrant Wynwood Arts District. Aku World: Miami will be Aku's first introduction to the physical world, bringing friends and collaborators across art, music, fashion and technology together in one space. The visually-stunning, multilayered event will showcase the otherworldly dimension of Aku and allow guests to step out of reality and into the metaverse through carefully curated exhibits that blur the lines between NFT technology and IRL experiences.

“Aku World is a world built around dreams. It was imperative to incorporate talented artists and designers who have achieved their dreams into the world and it’s our mission to inspire everyone who walks through the door,” said Micah Johnson, creator of Aku. Through a partnership with leading cryptocurrency exchange FTX US, attendees will be able to sign up for their own crypto wallet, collect NFTs throughout the space via hidden QR codes, and purchase digital artworks by legendary 3D artist, Raf Grassetti, as well as unique Aku digital works. Top-tier ticket holders will have exclusive access to the Minting Room presented by FTX US, where they can create their own 4D-scanned avatar that lives within the Aku universe and mint them into NFTs, which they can later trade, sell or display in their digital wallets.

Attendees can shop on-site via the Merch Room, which will host three days of exclusive merch collaborations with VIP guest collaborators Pusha-T, Jerome LaMaar and Aleali May, with each day dedicated to a single limited time, limited edition collection, available for pre-order at the event and online.

Aku’s Collection, curated by Art Angels, will tell more of Aku’s story through an art installation for guests to explore and interact with. A special curation of young Black artists including Jade Yasmeen, Asiko, Floyd Strickland, and Solomon Omogboye will be exhibited alongside two new original paintings by Micah Johnson, as well as three screen prints by Jean-Michel Basquiat. Guests will have the opportunity to view and purchase original artworks on-site.

Conceptualized by renowned creative and experiential studio MATTE Projects, the 30,000 square foot space will house a futuristic lifesize art installation of Aku’s Helmet, where guests can experience three otherworldly dimensions of Aku. The Blue Room will host exciting, informal panel conversations led by leaders in art, fashion, music and crypto, and The Patio will provide food and beverages for guests. Aku World: Miami will also host an invite-only VIP opening party on December 2nd with an intimate live musical performance by Kehlani.

Conceived by Micah Johnson in February 2021, Aku has since become the first NFT to be optioned for film and television projects and is the first NFT to travel to space. Aku is a conduit to empower the next generation of explorers and dreamers.

Aku World: Miami will be held at Wynwood Arts 29 (95 NW 29th St, Miami, FL 33127). The ticketed event will be open to the public on December 2-4 from 12pm-7pm daily. Tickets are on-sale now. Visit aku.world for more information.

Follow Aku on Instagram @aku.dreams, Twitter @AkuDreams and Discord.

Meet Aku:

• Digital explorer conceptualized by Micah Johnson in February 2021

• Created to empower the next generation of explorers and dreamers

• First NFT to be optioned for film and TV projects & to travel to space

Explore the Dimensions of Aku World:

• Aku’s Helmet: A futuristic lifesize installation of Aku’s Helmet will invite guests to experience and interact with multiple different worlds of Aku

• Curated Exhibitions: by young Black artists Jade Yasmeen, Asiko, Floyd Strickland, and Solomon Omogboye, alongside two original paintings by Micah Johnson, and screen prints by Jean-Michel Basquiat

• The Merch Room: will host exclusive merch collaborations with VIP guest collaborators Pusha-T, Jerome LaMaar, and Aleali May. Each day will be dedicated to a single limited time, limited edition collection, available for pre-order at the event and online

• The Blue Room: will host exciting, informal panel discussions with leaders in art, fashion, music & crypto; including: special sit downs between Micah Johnson and Aku's merch design collaborators Pusha-T, Aleali May and Jerome LaMaar

• The Minting Room: visitors can create their own 4D-scanned avatar that lives within the Aku universe and mint them into NFTs, which they can later trade, sell or display in their digital wallets

• Crypto Wallet: visitors can sign up for their own crypto wallet, collect NFTs and purchase digital artworks by legendary 3D artist, Raf Grassetti and unique Aku digital works

Event Information:  

WHAT: Aku World: Miami

WHO: Micah Johnson in collaboration with FTX US

WHEN: December 2-4, 2021 | 12PM-7PM

WHERE: Wynwood Arts 29, 95 NW 29th St, Miami, FL 33127

TICKETS: https://aku.world/ (OPEN TO THE PUBLIC) 

Leading Venture Capital Firms Founders Fund And Atomic Sign 10-Year Leases At Wynwood Annex

Miami’s push to attract the tech industry continues in hyperdrive as leading venture capital firms Founders Fund and Atomic have signed 10-year leases at Wynwood Annex. OpenStore, an e-commerce joint venture between Founders Fund and Atomic, has also signed a 5-year lease for space in Wynwood Annex. The leases total over 22,000 SF and asking rents were $57 PSF at the time of lease. The deal was overseen by Tony Arellano of DWNTWN Realty Advisors, who represented the landlord, and Matthew Goodman, Adam Bernstein and Jeff Gordon of JLL, who represented the lessee’s.

Wynwood Annex is located at 215 NW 24th St. and spans 65,000 SF over 8-stories. The property was completed in 2019 and was developed by Related Group and East End Capital. Wynwood Annex features 60,000 SF of office space and 5,000 SF of ground floor retail space.

Founders Fund is led by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and was formed in 2005. The firm currently has more than $6 billion in aggregate capital under management and invests across all stages and sectors, including aerospace, artificial intelligence, advanced computing, energy, health, and consumer Internet, with a portfolio that includes Airbnb, Lyft, Spotify, Stripe, and Oscar Health. Founders Fund was the first institutional investor in SpaceX and Palantir Technologies, as well as was an early investor in Facebook.

Atomic is a startup studio and investment fund led by Jack Abraham. The firm was founded in 2012 and has co-founded over 18 companies including Hims, Bungalow, Homebound, Paravision, Raydiant and TalkIQ.

Mana Common Partners With Plug And Play To Bring Global Tech Accelerator To Downtown Miami

MANA Common, led by CEO and visionary entrepreneur Moishe Mana, has announced that it will partner with the global innovation platform, Plug and Play, to establish a presence within Downtown Miami’s Flagler District. Plug and Play, based in Silicon Valley, is the world’s largest global innovation platform and investor.

“Miami has always had the components to make it a global technology hub,” says Moishe Mana. “Now that remote work has allowed tech workers and founders to live nearly anywhere, we’re seeing an acceleration of Miami’s emergence as a leading city for tech.”

The collaboration aims to unite the most promising startups with the world's impactful corporations to drive investment, foster innovation, and secure collaborative partnerships across an array of verticals within the Miami tech ecosystem.

This marks the first Miami office for the tech platform, which besides its headquarters in the Silicon Valley has offices in dozens of cities including Paris, Tokyo, Chicago, São Paulo, and Shanghai.

"We look forward to being a dynamic part of the growing tech community in Miami,” says Saeed Amidi, Founder and CEO of Plug and Play. “Our partners will bring their knowledge, expertise, and experience to help our startups grow. Connecting these key stakeholders and industry experts will expedite the digital and cultural transformation in a location ripe for explosive growth. We will work hand-in-hand with Mana Tech to find the founding partners to further develop the tech community.”

For Mana Common, the partnership is one of the first steps in executing their vision for the Flagler District as the economic center of Miami. Mana is Miami’s largest private landowner and their current efforts are focused on their dozens of properties surrounding Flagler Street in Miami’s Downtown core.

“This marks a huge milestone and opportunity for the Miami tech scene,” says Michelle Abbs, Managing Director of Mana Tech, one of the six divisions of Mana Common. “We’ve been actively listening and responding to the local tech community, and we’re excited to deliver a solution like this with Plug and Play who has successfully built complete innovation ecosystems multiple times. It’s the connection that the Miami tech and business communities have been lacking, until now.”

The annual program is designed to host two cohorts per year. Mana Common will co-host the first event with Plug and Play in Miami on February 16, 2021 intended to gather interest from the initial founding members that will jointly work in this project. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami Mayor Francis Saurez, and other corporate partners have confirmed their attendance.

Plug and Play’s platform includes an array of innovation protocols and a curated selection of startups, including the Miami tech entrepreneurs, that will help corporations bridge the gap to bring new products and services to market faster. Plug and Play will offer business development opportunities, mentorship, and networking for startups, investors, and corporations. Twice per year, the founding corporations will choose 10 to 15 startups to benefit from these opportunities.

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.

For more information about 830 Brickell, Brickell office space, private showings or purchasing/ leasing information please fill out the form below:

Nuveen Brings In Proptech Startup Lane To Manage Waterford Business District In Miami

Nuveen Real Estate­ has announced that they will bring in proptech startup, Lane, to manage the Waterford Business District in Miami. Lane will implement their workplace experience platform and mobile app at Waterford Business District which is one of the most prominent corporate office complexes in the Southeast U.S. Located near Miami International Airport, Waterford houses more than 100 multinational corporations and has one of the highest concentrations of regional and Latin American headquarters in South Florida. Waterford Business District is a joint venture between Nuveen and Allianz Real Estate

“Launching our technology across seven office buildings in the midst of a global pandemic was no small feat, but we were inspired by Nuveen’s commitment to creating a unified workplace culture within the District,” said Clinton J. Robinson, CEO and Co-Founder of Lane. “It’s not every day that you get to help revitalize one of the country’s leading corporate destinations, and we are very proud to help bring the future of work to Waterford.”

“We are excited to put an expanded digital and on-site amenity offering at the fingertips of our tenants,” said Chad Phillips, Managing Director, Head of U.S. Office & Portfolio Manager, Nuveen Real Estate. “We want the professionals in our buildings to have a go-to mobile-friendly source for building announcements, amenities, and programming. The app is also another avenue for tenant feedback. We want to facilitate clear, consistent communication with our tenants, and hear directly from them on how to provide the best workplace experience. This is a part of a programmatic initiative to engage with our tenants both onsite and online. This year we are rolling out tenant engagement apps at nearly 20 office buildings in our U.S. portfolio, with more digitization projects planned for years to come.”

Designed to transform the workplace into a thriving, connected ecosystem, Lane integrates building systems into a single, centralized and user-friendly digital platform. Lane streamlines all aspects of day-to-day office life for tenants and property managers alike, from room bookings and guest registration to maintenance, communications and tenant engagement, all optimized using data to drive insights.

At Waterford Business District, Lane’s web and mobile platform will help streamline per-building and District-wide communications and empower tenants to access new amenities and services with ease, including the free shuttle service, Freebee; bike-share program, Zybra; FlashParking, a smart-parking program exclusively for District tenants; and virtual yoga. 

In the midst of Covid-19, the Lane platform is also helping property teams coordinate efforts for their tenants amid the evolving global health pandemic by managing occupancy through room bookings, ensuring tenants feel safe through surveys and real-time feedback, sharing building and cleaning protocols, safety measures, and other important updates, engaging tenants remotely through virtual content, amenities, and events. 

“Formerly known as Waterford at Blue Lagoon, Waterford has been synonymous with the biggest businesses, not only in Miami, but in the Southeast U.S., for decades,” said Charles Russo, Senior Director, Southeast Regional Head, Office Americas, Nuveen Real Estate. “In 2019, we embraced the office park’s business-focused identity and re-emerged as Waterford Business District. Since then, we have invested significantly in capital improvements focused on setting a new standard as a cutting-edge hub for global business in Florida.” Russo added, “Our strategic partnership with Lane has now allowed us to bring our new amenities and services into one seamlessly connected platform where tenants can access everything the District has to offer from their computer or mobile device.”  

Waterford Business District is home to key players in healthcare, technology, manufacturing, transportation, finance, logistics, hospitality and insurance, as well as numerous local organizations and startups. 

Wellness Real Estate Is On The Rise. Inside Healthy Homes With Cyber-Wellness.

The world’s first home automation system was invented in 1966 by Jim Sutherland. ECHO IV, or Electronic Computing Home Operator, allowed users to control their home’s temperature, store recipes or shopping lists, and power appliances. However, ECHO was never commercially sold. 

It would only be until the 1970s when general-purpose home automation technology would be first introduced to the public. At first, the technology was only simple enough to make appliances and light fixtures in homes run more efficiently. Since then, home automation has evolved into smart-home technology and integrative systems for climate, entertainment, security, and more. One such system is the 2019 DARWIN Home Wellness Intelligence platform, the first of its kind ever.

DARWIN is a network designed to be integrated into the home and target respiratory, cardiovascular, and immune and cognitive health through methods including air purification, water filtration, circadian rhythm lighting, and comfort-focused technologies to simulate the outdoors. According to Delos, the company behind DARWIN, the system uses algorithms and sensor technology to help reduce stress, improve quality of sleep, and increase performance. 

Delos believes that our environment, or our homes, are the places that contribute the most to our health--up to 70%, they claim. 

Consumers are considering their health and the ways in which they can upgrade their homes with new technologies more than ever before, especially while many are self-quarantining due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the more popular and readily available automation devices is the Amazon Echo, which is a smart speaker that allows users to answer questions, play music, and control home devices. Amazon said in January of 2019 that more than 100 million “Alexa” devices had been sold, highlighting the demand that has risen towards these types of systems.

One Miami-based company that has been the catalyst that simplifies complex innovations in personalized solutions is the tech integration company HEDSouth, which has been installing wellness technology in homes and other spaces since 2018.

HEDSouth is now one of the first 50 accredited and approved dealers for DARWIN, and the only Miami installer for it. HEDSouth, which has expanded into Southern California, also carries electronics and luxury brands such as Lutron for lighting and custom motorized shades, Sonos for Music, Sony for premium video entertainment, and Crestron, Savant, and Josh.ai for complete and simple control.

Developers, real estate leaders, and design professionals alike are thinking ahead about the future of at-home wellness technology, with much of South Florida welcoming its first wellness residences. These include private single-family homes and Coral Gables’s Villa Valencia, the first U.S. condominium development to debut DARWIN. Projects by HEDSouth with wellness elements are underway in Boca Raton, Weston, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. 

By Isabella Zimmermann

PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter Reveals Contemporary Art Collection For Art Basel With Flying Car

The art of innovation will be on display during Miami Art Week as PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter has revealed a prototype of the world’s first flying car along with its contemporary art collection at a special preview exhibit to kick off Art Basel. PARAMOUNT, the world’s most amenitized tower known for its innovative flying car Skyport, will host the exhibit entitled: “Miami 2020 and Beyond” featuring the PAL-V (Personal Air Landing Vehicle) Pioneer flying car and an impressive contemporary art collection including “Red World” by renowned artist Steven Manolis, and “Miami Vice” and “Moons Over Miami” by Miami’s hometown museum-class graffiti artist Ahol Sniffs Glue.

The outer-worldly Dutch-made PAL-V Pioneer, already in production and selling for $599,000 with 70 flying cars already sold, is equipped with retractable overhead and rear propellers and tail wings, and can cruise at an altitude as high as 12,500’. Using automobile gasoline instead of jet fuel, it reaches speeds of 200 miles per hour in the air and 100 miles per hour on the ground.

Miami is regarded as the “City of the Future” and PARAMOUNT prides itself on being light years ahead of all other projects in South Florida. Its 58th floor Skydeck is designed so it can be modified in the future as a Skyport with a hydraulic floor capable of transforming its rooftop pool into a take-off and landing pad for flying cars.

The exhibit unveils works in PARAMOUNT’s permanent collection including a painting by Steven Manolis as well as canvases by acclaimed street artist Ahol Sniffs Glue (also known as David Anasagasti). His murals depicting “drowsy eyes” have gained notoriety with a recent showing at the Norton Museum in Palm Beach and Wynwood’s newly debuted Museum of Graffiti. Two canvases, measuring 12 feet x 14 feet and 12 feet by 15 feet, feature his trademark “eyes” in spray paints combining silvers, grays and whites in step with the tones of the PARAMOUNT lobby and the building’s sophisticated urban design. Other works include dreamy, floating sculptures by Tatiana Blanco, paintings by Janos, photographs by Rafael Balcazar, and Gonzalo Fuenmayor, and many other acclaimed artists.

“We are delighted to support, promote and celebrate innovation as well as prominent local and international artists at PARAMOUNT Miami Worldcenter,” said developer Dan Kodsi. “Miami is the city of the future and an international art world capital. We are pleased to celebrate Miami Art Week by unveiling our Contemporary Collection.”

PARAMOUNT, located inside the massive Miami Worldcenter project in the heart of downtown Miami, is 90% sold with more than $400 million in sales of their 500+ city- and bay-view residences. Tower residences range in size from 1,180 SF to 2,350 SF, with prices starting at $750 per square foot. It has more than 57 nationalities represented among its buyer pool.

The only residential tower currently for sale within the massive 27-acre mixed-use Miami Worldcenter site, PARAMOUNT has made international headlines with its Upper Deck. It is the largest amenity deck in the U.S., spanning four acres, positioned 90’ above downtown Miami. It features an extraordinary array of action-packed luxury amenities that include the country’s first outdoor soccer field to be featured in a high-rise residential development; two tennis courts; multiple resort-style pools; lush parks and spa baths, among others.

Inside The PROFILEmiami Fall Real Estate Showcase & Forum 2018

PROFILEmiami, Miami's leading real estate news platform, hosted its first annual PROFILEmiami Fall Real Estate Showcase & Forum on November 13, 2018. The evening was filled with education and networking, bringing together Miami’s local real estate leaders: top architects, brokers, developers, investors, real estate professionals, luminaries and government officials. The forum featured four informative topic panels including Miami’s Private Use of Public Land, Opportunity Zones, Sustainable Development as well as The Tokenization of Real Estate.

“We choose topics to explore that are having a major effect on Miami real estate today,” said Demetri Demascus, Founder & Publisher of PROFILEmiami. “Our goal is to provide an atmosphere of education where the general public and real estate professionals can learn from some of the leaders in their field as well as have the opportunity to connect with them in person.”

Our panelists for Miami’s Private Use of Public Land featured John Greco, Deputy City Attorney - City of Miami, and Xavier E. Albán, Assistant City Attorney - City of Miami, who explored the process that the city, state and county take when it comes to private developers approaching them about operating on public land.

An Exploration Into Opportunity Zones featured Thomas Volpe, CEO of Sikari Fund, Sheri Colas-Gervais of the Beacon Council, and Miguel Pinto, President & Managing Broker of Apex Capital Realty. The panel introduced the economic incentives of investing in Opportunity Zones in Miami and how to find opportunity zone properties and the tax advantages.

The Sustainable Development panel brought together Jon Cardello, Vice President at Stantec, Martin Pinilla, Managing Partner of Barlington Group, and Jeremy Waks of Oak Ventures and developer of Arbor Coconut Grove, to explore sustainable technologies and design in Miami real estate.

The evening capped off with The Tokenization of Real Estate, which brought together Kim Prior of Shutts & Bowen, Peter Debs of Bitfinance, and Jorge Guerra, President of Miami Association of Realtors; together they explored how tokenizing real estate assets can make access to capital and equity easier, while unlocking secondary liquidity and value for investors. The panels were moderated by Demetri Demascus, Founder & Publisher of PROFILEmiami as well as Katya Demina, Editor of PROFILEmiami.

Thank you to our partners Tesla, Apex Capital Realty, RealDax, BB Capital Group, Hallandale Beacon, Miami Design District, Game Day Skincare and our panelists.