Jose Isaac Peres – 57 Ocean Developer
At the outset of his transformative career in development, self-made Brazilian billionaire José Isaac Peres quickly learned that while it was gratifying to sell a product, it was infinitely more rewarding to bring happiness to people.
Self-made Brazilian billionaire quickly learned that while it was gratifying to sell a product, it was infinitely more rewarding to bring happiness to people.
That mantra subsequently formed the basis of Peres’ focus and drive — fueling his meteoric rise within the real estate industry and serving as the inspiration behind the award-winning, highly sought-after projects he would go on to create.
From an early age, Peres – born in the Ipanema neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro – was recognized as a Phenom and a trailblazer…sharply attuned to the market and its intricacies.
It was while he was studying economics at the Universidade de Brasilia that he started his first company, Veplan, which became the first real estate company to be listed on the Brazilian Stock Exchange. Peres then went on to become the founder and CEO of Multiplan “Empreedimentos Imobilarios“, which, today, is the largest Brazilian retail real estate company and one of South America’s most respected development firms.
Over the course of the last four decades, Peres’ hands-on involvement with Multiplan has yielded more 35,000 residential units throughout more than 350 projects in Brazil and beyond, as well as one of the most renowned shopping mall portfolios in Latin America. Now, Peres has his sights on Miami Beach, where he lives part-time. His latest boutique condominium, 57 Ocean, has just broken ground on Millionaire’s Row…and it’s already making an indelible impression on high-net-worth consumers worldwide.
Here, Peres gives CHIC Miami Magazine an exclusive look into the life and plans that will shape the future of this iconic enclave and his vision as a real estate mastermind developer.
Mr. Peres, can you share with our readers how you started your career as a real estate developer and what do you attribute your success to?
I was in my early 20’s, studying economics, when I realized I had an aptitude for real estate. I first sold a friend’s apartment for more than expected. Shortly thereafter, I purchased land and sold my first building in a span of just 15 days – and while it was still in the planning stages. I may have been new to the industry, but I was quickly learning how to navigate it. I then took a leap and started my own real estate business, Veplan, which went public in 1971.
That was the same year I built my first shopping mall in Iberapuera. Collectively, those initial experiences gave me an immeasurable understanding of the industry and its inner workings. I was always looking ahead, thinking about the long-term, and envisioning a project’s potential impact on a global scale no matter its location.
When did you start to appreciate a sense of architecture, good design and top quality in construction?
I have always had a love for architecture. It’s been a passion of mine since childhood and, for that matter, the reason why I’ve been consistently focused on ensuring that the best team of architects, interior designers, and contractors are assembled on every project. 57 Ocean is no exception. When we set out to develop this building, we embarked on a painstaking curation process…soliciting five of the world’s best architecture firms to determine which one would be the perfect fit.
Over the course of your career, you have developed over 35,000 residential condo units in over 350 projects within Brazil and South Florida. Why did you decide to return to Miami at this time?
When I decided it was time to return to Miami, I refused to settle for anything less than a legacy project…one that would lay the foundation for a larger real estate platform in the city I’ve loved since I first built the Il Villaggio condominium two decades ago. In the same way that Il Villaggio was a landmark project in the ‘90’s, changing the landscape of Ocean Drive.
I want 57 Ocean to be an iconic building on Millionaire’s Row. Already, this project is one of the most talked about in South Florida, singled-out by high-end buyers worldwide for its array of holistic wellness amenities and services.
Your projects focus on sustainability. Could you expand on what are the important factors you considered when creating 57 Ocean condo?
I always envisioned a quiet, sustainably-built contemporary building that emphasized healthy living right on the Atlantic.
The challenge was to locate a piece of land that highlighted the city’s best assets: Access to major traffic arteries, direct placement on the beach, and enough space to offer owners numerous ways to live a full and well-balanced life.
57 Ocean catalyzed that vision on a 220-foot oceanfront site, bringing to life a one-of-a-kind boutique condominium that is connected to nature in meaningful ways – most especially through its use of natural materials, elegant architecture, intelligent design, indigenous landscaping, and the most coveted amenity in the world: direct access to the ocean. This project will also be a Gold LEED-certified residential building, which is yet another reflection of how we continue adhering to the highest standards of sustainability and craftsmanship — from the selection of top- quality materials, to the smart design choices that will positively impact the surrounding community for generations to come.
You are currently in the middle a competitive real estate market, when you first began this project, did you face any challenges and what did you do to overcome to ensure success?
Hurdles are always going to be a factor when you conceptualize a new, high-end residential project, especially one that’s sited on the water – from securing the best location to crafting the most intricate designs. The process is a meticulous one, but we pride ourselves on being extremely thorough. We launched 57 Ocean last October in the midst of a softer market, but we have tremendous confidence in Miami and Miami Beach, specifically.
There is always going to be a desire among luxury buyers to live on the ocean – especially in a resort-like setting such as this one…an enclave that focuses on wellness and offers a myriad of top amenities that promote and facilitate this curated lifestyle. As of today, 57 Ocean is one of only a few condominiums being built in Miami Beach, so the appeal to have access to that kind of new, high-quality construction is considerable for domestic and international homebuyers alike. I’m positive that when are finished building 57 Ocean, people are going to say, ‘Wow, it’s better than I ever imagined.’ I’m thrilled for what’s ahead.
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