History

“We have a very, very fine reputation in this community to uphold and we will go to whatever lengths are necessary to make sure that we represent our community proudly and with distinction.”

Jeff Berkowitz, Chairman of Berkowitz Development Group

Berkowitz Development Group (“BDG”) was founded in 1985, by Jeff Berkowitz, who, while actively engaged in the practice of real estate law, identified a small parcel of property in 1978 that was available for ground lease which fronted on North Kendall Drive at approximately S.W. 137th Avenue and built his first shopping center. Over the years, he continued his efforts in commercial real estate development culminating in the founding of BDG in 1985.

Mr. Berkowitz focused his efforts on North Kendall Drive, and built Kendall Square Shopping Center (137th Avenue), Barnett Square Shopping Center (138th Avenue), Wendy’s Center (139th Avenue), Kendall 117th Shopping Center (117th Avenue), Kendall Service Merchandise Center (147th Avenue) and the Target Center (150th Avenue). BDG has developed a number of freestanding Sports Authority stores throughout Dade County.

In addition, BDG has developed the following major projects:

Kendallgate Shopping Center:

BDG developed and now owns and manages the Kendallgate Shopping Center on North Kendall Drive at the Florida Turnpike, which consists of 200,000 square feet of retail stores and restaurants. Among the tenants are Designer Shoe Warehouse, Bed Bath & Beyond, Burlington, Ulta, Harbor Freight Tools, Petco, Chili’s, Denny’s and Romano’s Macaroni Grill.

Kendall Village Center:

In July, 1989, BDG and its partners purchased the first parcel of land assemblage (now approximately 40 acres) at the northwest quadrant of North Kendall Drive and The Florida Turnpike.

In 1996, BDG sub-divided the Kendall Village Center Property and developed (Kendall Village West) a 35,000 square foot two-story Barnes & Nobles and a 20,000 square foot Michaels store on the three-acre parcel. In 1999, Berkowitz Development Group was presented an opportunity to sell Kendall Village West to an outside third party with BDG continuing to retain management services.

On the balance of the property, BDG continued negotiations with the Kendall Federation of Homeowners, which was the group that had organized and successfully resisted the original auto park rezoning efforts. After many months of discussions, BDG agreed to a plan where they could develop a largely retail “mixed use” development on the 40 +/- acre parcel. Following the Agreement, Jeff Berkowitz was honored as the “Negotiator of the Year” by the Kendall Federation of Homeowners.

BDG has substantially completed construction of Kendall Village Center, which is a pedestrian-oriented town center with entertainment, retail, restaurant, office and residential uses. The occupants include: Regal Cinemas, LA Fitness, an upscale sports club, a 13,000 square foot Bahama Breeze restaurant and nightclub, On the Border, Gap / Gap Kids, Old Navy, Chuck E. Cheese, Duffy’s, Justice, Venetian Nail Spa, Pier 1 Imports, Ann Taylor Loft, Claire’s, Jared’s and many other national tenants.

The Kendall Village Homes (87 Town homes) are occupied by residents who look for the easy access of an urban in-fill location, as well as the ability to walk to theaters, restaurants and other retail, recreation and entertainment destinations.

A 70,000 square foot office building has been built and is occupied by Nova Southeastern University as a satellite campus.

In May, 2007, BDG completed construction of the Professional Arts Center at Kendall Village, a three-story, 90,000-square-foot medical and professional office condo building at 8501 SW 124th Ave. in Miami, FL. The project is now 100% sold out. Located adjacent to L.A. Fitness Center, the building features covered reserved parking, key card access, 24-hour roving security, and a 6.5/1,000 parking ratio.

BDG was awarded the 2001 Best Mixed-Use Real Estate Deal of the Year in South Florida by Ernst & Young and the South Florida Business journal for Kendall Village.

Dadeland Station Shopping Center:

Dadeland Station was a joint-development effort between BDG and the Metro-Dade Transit Authority. Dade County successfully converted a surplus and dormant, County-owned surface parking lot into an income-producing asset estimated to produce in excess of $100,000,000 taxpayers over its 90 year lease term.

Dadeland Station combines architectural and urban innovation with a strategic rethinking of the commercial retail mall in the creation of the first, major vertical power center in the United States. By stacking multiple “big-box” retailers on top of each other, the development team creatively placed 350,000 square feet of retail space and a 1,450-car, vertical parking lot onto a constrained 7.5-acre tract of land. A covered galleria, on an urban scale and visible on the Miami skyline, provides direct, covered access from the three levels of the retail complex to the six-level garage.

BDG is the Developer and 60% Owner of the Dadeland Station Shopping Center. Dadeland Station is a 350,000 ± sq. ft. vertical power center located adjacent to Dadeland Mall and the Dadeland North Metrorail Station at US Highway 1 and the Snapper Creek Expressway [SR 878], in Miami, Florida.

At the crossroads of several major thoroughfares and adjacent to the enormously successful Dadeland Mall, the new entrance at US 1 created a critical connection to the surrounding traffic network while covered walkways provide pedestrians with a connection to the Metrorail Station. Friendly to vehicular, transit, and pedestrian traffic, Dadeland Station’s accessibility has made it a Miami Landmark.

Dadeland Station is an urban translation of the suburban mall, responding not only to the traditional need for convenience shopping but also to the need for in-fill solutions to the expanding urban context. The Center, which opened in the Fall of 1996, consists of three levels of anchor tenant retail space, 10,000 ± sq. ft. of transit related convenience retail, and a 15,000 ± sq. ft. outparcel building occupied by Thomasville Furniture and Subway. Dadeland Station has a six level, 1,450 car parking garage. The anchor tenants include: Michael’s, Best Buy, Target, Dick’s, PETsMART, and Bed, Bath & Beyond. The transit tenants include: Avis car rental, Su Shin express, Creative Hairdressers, and VN nails.

BDG was awarded the 1996 Best Retail Real Estate Deal of the Year by Ernst & Young and the South Florida Business Journal for Dadeland Station.

Aventura Commons:

Berkowitz Development Group assembled 25 acres on Biscayne Boulevard in Aventura, Florida, immediately south of Gulfstream Park. BDG sold parcels to Target, which constructed a 117,000 square foot store, and to Amoco, and The Original Pancake House.

The balance of the center is fully occupied by Best Buy, PETsMART, Men’s Wearhouse, Ulta, Whole Foods, Bank United, Boston Market and several other national tenants. Berkowitz Development Group developed the property, owns a majority interest in the project, and is managing the same.

BDG was awarded the 1999 Property of Excellence Award in recognition of Outstanding Landscape design and maintenance from the city of Aventura.

Fifth & Alton:

In August, 2009, BDG completed construction of Fifth & Alton, a three-story retail center in Miami Beach, FL.

BDG broke ground on the 180,000-square-foot property in 2007. Located at the intersection of Alton Road and 5th St., it also features six levels of municipal parking that is operated by the City of Miami Beach.

The anchor tenants include Best Buy, which is occupying 36,000 square feet, as well as Publix Super Markets (45,000 square feet) and Ross Dress for Less (30,425 square feet). Other tenants include TJMaxx, Total Wine, Petco and Vitamin Shoppe.

Jeff Berkowitz, Chairman of Berkowitz Development Group, developed the project as a joint venture with Alan and Robert Potamkin. Robin Bosco Architects & Planners designed the structure.

The Shopping Center was sold in December, 2012.