Florida East Coast Realty, LLC (FECR), founded by Mr. Tibor Hollo as one of South Florida’s premier development companies, having built more than 60 million square feet of construction over the past 60 years, has announced the promotion of Dean Warhaft to Chief Development Officer. In his previous role as Vice President and Development Coordinator, Mr. Warhaft has played a key role in many aspects for FECR, including legal matters, project coordination and management, permitting, construction logistics, project feasibility analysis, and Public-Private-Partnerships (P3). As Chief Development Officer, Mr. Warhaft will continue his role overseeing project coordination in a more expansive capacity, while also utilizing his vast experience to drive the firm’s development ventures and acquisitions going forward.
Since joining FECR in 2011, Mr. Warhaft’s responsibilities have included coordinating the competitive selection of professionals, vendors, and suppliers, as well as the development team of architects, engineers, and other consultants, through entitlement, design, and construction drawing phases before turning a permitted site over to the construction department. He has worked closely with government agencies and consultants to develop FECR’s new projects with a focus on Panorama Tower and One Bayfront Plaza. Mr. Warhaft was responsible for procuring the FAA approval for Panorama, the tallest building in the State of Florida, as well as approvals for two future FECR developments: One Bayfront Plaza and The Towers by Foster + Partners, each at 1,049 feet high, which will be the tallest buildings south of Manhattan.
One Bayfront Plaza will be FECR’s grandest project to date, and Mr. Warhaft will spearhead these efforts on behalf of the company, making Mr. Hollo’s vision a reality. The mega-structure will be a fully mixed-use center, with approximately three million square feet consisting of class “AAA” office space, high-end residences, a luxury convention hotel, and an upscale retail mall.
Further, Mr. Warhaft recently entitled three parcels in the North Ponce area of Coral Gables, which he and his team will develop to include 411 apartments, 16 live-work units, approximately 60,000 square feet of commercial space, a renovation of a historic building, and a new park. FECR is committed to Coral Gables with these assets, adding to the class “A” 2020 Ponce luxury office tower and the Villa Majorca boutique apartment complex as its holdings in the area.
“As a veteran real estate presence in South Florida, we look to expert voices such as Mr. Warhaft’s as we strive to raise the bar in project development,” said Tibor Hollo, Chairman and President of FECR. “Through his proficiency and guidance, we have remained at the forefront of innovative building and development, and I am certain that he will effectively continue to bring our vision and plans to life in this new position.”
In addition to his professional achievements, Mr. Warhaft currently serves on the Board of Directors for the 2020 Ponce Condominium Association, Opera Tower Condominium Association, Club at Brickell Bay Commercial Condominium Association, and Brickell Bay Plaza Master Association. A graduate of Seattle University’s School of Law, as well as a licensed professional land surveyor, Mr. Warhaft possesses extensive experience as a real estate development attorney both in Washington and Florida. He also has had the opportunity to race and explore all over the world, as a participant in over two decades of Ironman triathlons and other endurance events.
