Gil Dezer, an esteemed figure in the realm of luxury real estate, has etched his name in the annals of the industry through his visionary leadership as the president of Dezer Development. His journey in the real estate world began with a deep-rooted fascination for the industry, fueled by his family background in real estate. Armed with determination and a keen eye for potential, he embarked on a transformative path that would redefine luxury living.

In 1970, Dezer's father, Michael, founded the company, and Gil joined in his twenties. Together, they became major players in the rebirth of Miami-Dade County's Sunny Isles Beach, a barrier island where they developed luxury high-rise residential properties and hotels. The marquee developments include the Porsche Design Tower and Residences by Armani/Casa, along with six Trump-branded towers. Gil Dezer pioneered the practice of partnering with luxury lifestyle brands on condominium projects, collaborating with renowned names such as Porsche, Bentley, and Armani.

At the age of 48, Gil Dezer is not only a genuine innovator but also one of America's youngest developers of luxury high-rise residential and hotel properties. His remarkable achievements include being the first developer to license Donald Trump's name. Dezer Development's holdings extend beyond Florida, encompassing New York and Las Vegas. In South Florida, Gil Dezer's family is the largest landowner of oceanfront property, boasting over 1,000 hotel rooms. Moreover, his firm has sold more than $4 billion worth of condos in Florida and owns over one million square feet of commercial space in New York City's Chelsea and Flatiron neighborhoods.

Gil Dezer's relentless pursuit of excellence and strategic partnerships with esteemed brands have propelled Dezer Development to the forefront of luxury real estate. The Porsche Design Tower, Residences by Armani/Casa, and the Trump-branded towers stand as testament to their commitment to redefining opulence. With a legacy firmly established and an unwavering dedication to pushing boundaries, Gil Dezer and Dezer Development continue to shape the landscape of luxury living, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Pioneering Projects

Porsche Design Tower: One of Dezer Development's most illustrious projects, the Porsche Design Tower revolutionized luxury living. With its groundbreaking Dezervator™ car elevator system, residents can seamlessly transport their vehicles to their private sky garages, providing an unprecedented level of convenience and sophistication.

Armani/Casa Residences: Gil Dezer's collaboration with renowned fashion icon Giorgio Armani led to the creation of the Armani/Casa Residences. This exquisite development showcases Armani's signature style, fusing timeless elegance with contemporary design, resulting in an unrivaled residential experience.

What’s the best advice your father and mother ever gave you?

He said, "It's just as hard to sell a pencil as it is to sell a building. So, focus your time on what makes you more money.” My mother said, "Don't forget, you have a great reputation, and it's very easy to kill that, so keep it going.”

Did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up?

I wanted to work with Daddy. That was it. Like every kid, I didn't even know much about what Daddy did. As I got older, I figured it out. 

So, when you finished college, did you work for your father?

He always said, "I'm not going to hire you out of school. You have to learn how to wake up in the morning, get to work clean-shaven, nice looking." I worked for other companies and learned the business on other people’s dimes.

Who did you work for?

I graduated from the University of Miami and went to work for a Miami sales and marketing company for condominiums. I stayed two years. Then I sold timeshares for another year and a half, working for Westgate, the largest timeshare company in the U.S. I really learned how to do personal selling.

Then you went to work for your father?

Yes, we started the Ocean Grande project in late 1999. As the project advanced, September 11th happened. The Trump Organization showed interest, so we made our deal, and we branded our first project in 2001 with the Trump Organization. At the time, my father wasn't even in South Florida. I was here, learning the condo market, the selling process, the development process. 

He was buying up hotels and motels as an investment and to later build on. He bought a couple and then he sold one, then he bought five more. In Chelsea, he was a landlord, and he converted a few co-ops and condominiums, but those were standing buildings where he just changed the form of ownership. He'd never built anything from the ground up. We started this venture together, and I cut my teeth on the first building, the Trump International Hotel.

You've said that Trump had a big influence on you. 

Even as a kid, he had a huge influence on me. I was growing up in New York. He was the closest thing to New York royalty that there was back in the eighties, and I read all his books and wrote a book report about him and finally got to meet him. It was right before we signed the deal in 2001.

The Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences was Trump's first venture into South Florida's real estate market?

Correct. It was the first licensing deal he'd ever done.

Would you do more projects with Trump now?

We did six buildings here and for sure, I'd do more projects with him.

In 2011, you announced a licensing agreement with Porsche Design Group and built the Ultra Luxury Tower on Sunny Isles Beach. What made it different?

I think the most unique feature is the Dezervator, a car-lift system that brings you and your car inside the elevator, traveling at 800 feet per minute, up to your apartment. There, the elevator dispenses you in your car inside your garage, two steps from your front door. We also created swimming pools on the balconies. The building has every amenity, including a restaurant that does room service.

Was it your idea to call it the Dezervator?

It started as a joke. I said, "Call it the Dezervator," and the name stuck. They trademarked it and people started asking, "What's the Dezervator?" And I said, "It's an automated car lift. But it's a Dezervator." Why not?

In 2019, you launched Giorgio Armani's first residential tower in the U.S. in Sunny Isles. How did that happen?

I was in Dubai at the Burj Khalifa, and they had this Armani Hotel where I stayed. I said, “How come we don't have this in the United States? I’ve got to bring this to America,” and that's what I did. This was one of architect Cesar Pelli’s last creations, and the building is very elegant and screams Armani. We went crazier on lobby finishes than anywhere else we've done. It was a $960-something million sellout. 

What about the Bentley Residence project, which I understand will be completed around 2027?

We're going to be by far the tallest building on the ocean, and we're doing a penthouse with a 360-degree view where you can see all of Miami. The building itself is kind of Porsche on steroids. We took the swimming pool that we had at the Porsche Tower and put it in as a sunken pool. You walk in from your foyer and your first view is the pool with the ocean in the distance. Then, of course, we have the Dezervator, too. 

The penthouse there is going for $57 million. Have you sold it yet?

No, but we’ve had a few bites. These kinds of things don't usually sell until they're ready. 

All right. What thing that you’ve done do you regret the most?

If there's a problem, I fix it. I don't think I regret anything.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I think my buildings will be my legacy. I think that this Dezervator is a solution for a lot of cities and that people are going to pick up on that eventually. In Europe, automated parking is everywhere. And so, this is just an automated garage. It's still a new technology that people have to adapt to.

The extraordinary journey of Gil Dezer and Dezer Development has left an indelible mark on the luxury real estate industry. Through a combination of visionary leadership, innovative design, and unparalleled attention to detail, they have crafted iconic developments that redefine opulence. Gil Dezer's commitment to creating extraordinary living spaces and his passion for providing residents with unparalleled luxury experiences have cemented his legacy as a pioneer in the field. With a future brimming with possibilities, Dezer Development continues to shape the landscape of luxury real estate, embodying the spirit of innovation and elevating the art of luxury living.