Real Estate DealMakers Omar Morales

Harvey Hernandez is Chairman & CEO of Miami-based Newgard Development Group and founder of Natiivo Hospitality. With 25 years of active involvement, he has distinguished himself as a forward-thinking, innovative, and fearless developer, who has been a pivotal figure in shaping city skylines.

Originally from Venezuela, Hernandez’s real estate journey began in the 1990s as a hands-on investor in Miami. Inspired by the city's transformative potential, he transitioned to large-scale real estate developments, particularly focusing on high-end, high-rise residential projects. Hernandez has been a pioneer in pushing design boundaries and integrating luxury finishes, innovative amenities, branding, and cutting-edge technology into his projects.

Hernandez has successfully delivered 13 trendsetting residential projects, totaling over 2,600 units spanning over 10 million square feet, in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Austin, and Nashville. He also completed hotel and office/condominium redevelopments.

Always ahead of evolving market trends, he most recently pioneered residential developments designed, built, and licensed for short-term rentals. He created two brands from scratch—LOFTY and Natiivo—that are incorporated into each project that utilizes this “flexible ownership” model.

Hernandez’s approach and dedication to excellence have not gone unnoticed. In 2024, he was named a Power Player in Real Estate by the South Florida Business Journal, and in 2023, he received an Apogee Award for CEO Leadership by South Florida Business & Wealth. Newgard’s Gale Residences & Hotel project earned an Honoree recognition in the 2018 Structures Awards given annually by the South Florida Business Journal.

Hernandez is also considered a thought leader in real estate development and is often invited to sit on panels or talk with the media to share his insights on market trends. He has spoken at events sponsored by The Real Deal, Commercial Observer, Bisnow, and IMN. He has been quoted in publications including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Miami Herald, South Florida Business Journal, and many others.



TIMESTAMPS:


0:00 - Intro
1:46 - Harvey’s background
9:31 - First real estate investments & scaling
15:28 - First development project
18:25 - Taking on bigger projects/risks
19:38 - Development of Solaris in Brickell
23:11 - Miami: bubble or keep growing?
25:26 - Adding hospitality component 
35:31 - Natiivo Miami & Lofty Brickell 
38:35 - First deal outside of Florida 
41:41 - Other markets excited about
46:26 - Advice for entrepreneurs & college graduates 
51:12 - Structure of management agreement 
53:07 - Future of Miami & market outlook









Follow Omar on social media:


Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/OmarMora1es⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/⁠⁠

Andrew B. Hellinger is a Principal of URBAN-X, a real estate development and advisory company. His current focus is the design and development of River Landing Shops and Residences. Under his direction and leadership has obtained its entitlements and rezoning in May 2013, within a six-month period. In this conversation, Andrew shares unique stories from unwinding a $750m portfolio during the great financial crisis, developing well-known condos in Miami, economy, opportunities, and more.



TIMESTAMPS:


0:00 - Intro
1:36 - Andrew background
6:52 - Increasing allowable height through city, county, FAA, pilot union
19:01 - Coming out of real estate recession 
25:28 - Miami River Landing development
44:56 - Economy and future opportunities 
47:04 - Mid River District vs Allapattah 
50:31 - Healthcare economic impact 
53:06 - River Landing appeal
54:27 - Thoughts on Miami 







Follow Omar on social media:


Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/OmarMora1es⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/⁠⁠

Anthony De Yurre is a Partner in Bilzin Sumberg's Land Development & Government Relations Group. Bilzin Sumberg has one of the largest real estate law practices in Florida. His practice focuses on the representation of real estate developers and investors in complex land use and zoning matters with a focus on transit oriented development, large scale mixed-use development, and public private partnerships. In this conversation, we talk all things Live Local Act, SB102 & SB328, and all major implications across Florida. 



TIMESTAMPS:


0:00 - Intro
3:19 - Florida “Live Local Act” 
11:12 - Higher upzoning 
17:55 - Affordability component 
27:08 - SB102 & SB328
37:10 - Zoning, tax, financing implications
1:00:35 - Parking component & unit sizes 
1:08:50 - Statewide or local?
1:10:55 - Value add component 
1:14:50 - Closing statements









Follow Omar on social media:


Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/OmarMora1es⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/⁠⁠⁠⁠
Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/⁠⁠

Daniel Carr is the Co-Founder of Alpaca Real Estate, and previously a Principal at Ares Management - one of the top global alternative investment managers in the world, with over $400 billion in AUM. In this conversation, we talk about the opportunity Dan saw in the market to start his own fund, what it takes to become a principal, weaving innovation into Alpaca to increase investment returns, lessons he has learned along the way, and more.



TIMESTAMPS:


0:00 - Intro
2:52 - Building Alpaca
4:49 - Investing themes
7:07 - Miami
8:16 - Macro environment
10:41 -  Fund process
13:32 - Lessons learned
14:51 - Innovation in Alpaca VC
20:20 - Daniel background





Follow Omar on social media:


Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/OmarMora1es⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/⁠⁠⁠
Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/⁠⁠

Bob Knakal is the top sales broker in New York, and arguably the world. Bob has sold over 2,000 properties, and over $20 billion in volume. He has been selling investment properties since 1984, was the Chairman & Founding partner of Massey Knakal, and currently leading the Private Capital Group for JLL. In this conversation, we talk about social media, marketing, starting & selling Massey Knakal, market conditions, New York, and a bunch of great advice he has learned along the way. 



TIMESTAMPS:


0:00 - Intro
1:33 - Thoughts on Miami
2:43 - Social media
9:43 - Marketing spend
13:01 - Starting Massey Knakal 
17:04 - Advice for a slow market
21:13 - Growing and selling Massey Knakal 
25:34 - Motivation to keep working
28:35 - Interest in the principal side?  
36:02 - Current market conditions
40:10 - New York
46:39 - South Florida
48:27 - General advice for young professionals
54:51 - Lessons learned and the team
58:18 - Day structure 
1:00:47 - Closing statements





Follow Omar on social media:


Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/OmarMora1es⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/⁠⁠
Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/⁠

David Podein is an Equity Partner with Haber Law. He concentrates his practice on community association representation, real estate, and construction law. He represents real estate developers, investors, lenders, and landlords. He also serves as outside general counsel to community associations. In this conversation, we talk about condo terminations, redevelopment opportunities, insurance, general advice when purchasing a condo, and more. 



TIMESTAMPS:


0:00 - Intro
1:38 - Condo purchasing breakdown
4:16 - Condo terminations
11:26 - Thoughts on the termination process
15:05 - Castle Beach scenario
17:34 - 2024 condo reserves
19:16 - Insurance 
20:28 - Advice for purchasing a condo
32:35 - Loans for class A,B,C condos
38:38 - Investor market
40:01 - Market conditions
44:18 - Segments of Miami
48:46 - Contact David Podein 







Follow Omar on social media:


Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/OmarMora1es⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/omarmora1es/⁠
Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://miamimultifamily.ck.page/