Today we’d like to introduce you to David Manhart.
Hi David, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I earned a degree in Building Construction from Georgia Institute of Technology in 2010, entering the profession during a challenging construction market. My first job out of college was as a laborer for a general contractor working on Zumba’s headquarters at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida, where my responsibilities ranged from sweeping floors and hauling debris to cleaning jobsite facilities. Willing to take work wherever I could to gain experience, I went on to manage a drywall crew at Troy University in Alabama and later traveled to the West Coast pressure-washing senior living facilities. I ultimately secured my first project management role at a small firm in Coconut Grove, where I began working in residential construction, a sector that I love and remain committed to.
In 2022, I joined To Better Days Building, a Miami-based general contractor specializing in ultra-luxury residential construction, where I continue to serve as a project manager. In this role, I oversee every facet of a project, from coordination with owners, architects, and engineers to managing subcontractors, inspections, logistics, and neighborhood relations. Each project has its own dynamic, and a large part of my job is understanding those relationships and communicating effectively to keep the project moving forward.
Most recently, I managed the renovation of a high-profile 21,395-square-foot waterfront home in Miami Beach’s famed North Bay Road. It was a tremendous experience collaborating with a world-class team of architects, interior designers and landscape architects transforming the dated structure into a sophisticated home that reflected the owners’ style.
I’m currently managing the construction of another To Better Days Building luxury waterfront residential project in Coconut Grove. Surrounded by protected mangroves, the home is elevated to rise above the natural landscape and capture the surrounding views. It’s a very modern home that consists of a main house and guest house connected by an aerial walkway both surrounded by cantilevered canopies and terraces. When completed, this project will be one of the highlights of my career.
Born and raised in Miami, I’m excited to see what the future holds as the city continues to grow and establish itself as a premier destination for luxury homeowners.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely wasn’t a smooth road in the beginning but that’s been one of the most valuable parts of the journey. I graduated from college in 2010, right into a difficult construction market, and the first few years after school were anything but easy. Work was inconsistent, and I took whatever opportunities I could find to stay in the industry and keep learning. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me how jobsites really function and gave me a deep respect for the trades and the people doing the work every day.
Looking back, those struggles shaped how I manage projects today. Having worked at every level, I approach construction with a practical mindset, respect for the trades, and a strong emphasis on communication and accountability. That background has been instrumental in handling the complexity and expectations that come with high-end residential construction.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
To Better Days Building is a custom luxury home builder with an exceptional network of vendors and trade partners that allow us to create world-class homes in some of Miami’s most exclusive neighborhoods, including Coconut Grove and Miami Beach’s North Bay Road, La Gorce Island, Allison Island and Venetian Islands. We are an agile team of A-players who are passionate about our work and pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to each project’s design team, client, and budget. The team clients work with from the outset is the same team that builds their home. We don’t sell a project and then hand it off to lower-tier staff.
Our mission is to create spaces that stand the test of time, ensuring that true luxury isn’t just seen but felt in the impeccable craftsmanship that will be appreciated for generations to come.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is to always explore an opportunity before turning it down. I’m in the position I am today because I said yes to an interview for a job I never intended to take. At the time, I was working for a small contractor in Coconut Grove when a headhunter called about a position with a larger firm. I had no desire to leave my job, but I agreed to the interview to see what they had to offer. During that conversation, we discussed home projects I had never dreamed of building, and it opened my eyes to new possibilities. I ultimately accepted the position, a decision that changed the course of my career. It’s where I met my current boss, Zachary Carpenter, with whom I built a strong working relationship rooted in mutual trust and a shared passion for building luxury homes in South Florida. I worked at that company for five years, and when Zachary later joined To Better Days Building as president of the company, he invited me to join his team managing the construction of several high-end homes throughout Miami and Miami Beach.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tbdbuilding.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobetterdaysbuilding/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tobetterdaysbuilding
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/to-better-days-building/
Image Credits
David Manhart’s Headshot – credit Luxhunters
First two photos of North Bay Road Home – credit Peter Murdock
North Bay Road Stairway photo – Thomas Loof
North Bay Road Kitchen photo – Thomas Loof
The two renderings of the Coconut Grove home – credit Lissoni & Partners
Coconut Grove home drone photo – Mia Media
