Today we’d like to introduce you to Daniel Chaberman.
Daniel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and was interested in business at an early age. After studying abroad in Israel for one year as an 18-year-old, I attended Universidad Metropolitana in Caracas and earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management, with a minor in Marketing. Upon completing my undergraduate studies, I moved to New York with a desire to continue my higher education and start a career in real estate. I obtained a Marketing degree from the City University of New York – Baruch College and joined my brother, Alejandro, who had launched a new real estate company a few years prior.
We focused on interior renovations early on, specializing in revitalizing the interiors of New York City’s high-end residences, apartments and commercial real estate properties. In our three years living in New York, we amassed a substantial portfolio of completed projects. One of our highest-profile projects was the construction of a commissary kitchen for prominent French chef Daniel Boulud. In 2012, we relocated to Miami to expand our company to the growing South Florida region. Shortly after moving, we connected with Grupo Eco and agreed to partner with the company on its U.S. expansion. I have been with Grupo Eco ever since and truly love what I do. I am also a licensed real estate agent and have maintained an active license since 2016.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Our marching orders from Grupo Eco were to scout the South Florida market for acquisition and development opportunities. South Florida had recently experienced so much development and growth, so finding an untapped, overlooked market with future potential was a significant challenge. Hallandale Beach caught my eye as a well-located city with such potential. We made our first foray into the city with 7th Avenue Village, a 25,000-square-foot retail project on West Hallandale Beach Boulevard.
In 2015, we jumped on the opportunity to acquire the first two vacant properties for the future Atlantic Village on North Federal Highway. We spent significant time meeting with city officials and key stakeholders to ensure Atlantic Village would meet the needs of the community and bring life to a section of Hallandale Beach that had largely been ignored in the past. I knew from my time in New York that the retail landscape was transforming from traditional malls and strip centers to dynamic retail projects emphasizing experiences, service and convenience. i also saw how retail concepts revolving around food, such as Eataly and Chelsea Market, had tremendous success in New York. I felt Atlantic Village could be a similarly successful gastronomy destination in Hallandale Beach.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Grupo Eco, I oversee the development and leasing of Atlantic Village in Hallandale Beach. Atlantic Village is a lifestyle mixed-use development with multiple phases and components. It is bringing 203,500 square feet of retail, restaurant, entertainment, office and medical space to the city. The first phase, located at 801 N. Federal Hwy., features more than a dozen shops, service-oriented retail and food-and-beverage tenants, including Crudos Fusion Art, Doggi’s Arepa Bar, Dr. Limon Ceviche Bar, Flippo’s Kids Playground, Juice Mafia, The Blues Burgers and Wells Fargo. It is fully opened. The project’s second phase, located at 701 N. Federal Hwy., is set to open this summer fully. Several tenants on phase two have already opened their doors, including Alacran Concept Store, Holi Vegan Kitchen and 9 Round Fitness. Additional tenants include Anderson & Cole Nail Bar, Crema Gourmet, Dental Clinic, Ferrer Primary Care, Gelato-Go, Jaffa Israel Kitchen and Wine Bar, La Piazzetta, LifeCell SkinCare, Miami Swimming Academy and Open Hearts Language Academy.
Construction of Atlantic Village’s third phase at 601 N. Federal Hwy. is scheduled for completion by the end of 2021. The prestigious international soccer program Juventus Academy, which is affiliated with the prominent Italian professional club Juventus F.C., is set to open a nearly one-acre facility within the third phase. Numerous medical tenants recently signed leases at Atlantic Village’s third phase. They include the City Surgery Center of Hallandale, acclaimed New York-based plastic surgeon DRZ ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery and national dermatology group Skin and Cancer Associates. We recently acquired the site of the fourth phase of Atlantic Village directly across North Federal Highway from the rest of the development. We are in the process of finalizing our plans for that phase.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Never stop learning and expanding your horizons. Despite the around-the-clock demands that come with overseeing a large-scale development and being the father of four-year-old twin girls, I continue to seek opportunities to do so. Two years ago, I was accepted into Harvard University’s Advanced Management Development Program, with a focus on Real Estate Development. I am set to complete the program’s requirements and graduate at the end of 2021. I am among the youngest members of my class, as most are seasoned corporate executives in their 40s, 50s and 60s. I apply what I have learned from the Harvard program to my job and already made incredible relationships that will last long after graduation day.
At just 34 years old, I have been able to rise quickly in the competitive real estate industry and hope to inspire other South Florida young professionals with my story. I attribute my success to an innovative mindset, thoughtful and holistic approach to real estate development, people skills, management expertise and a constant desire to find ways to improve. When you have the right personal attributes, skills and education, you do not have to wait your turn or pay your dues to reach the highest levels of business success.
Contact Info:
- Email: daniel.chaberman@grupo-eco.com
- Website: https://atlanticvillageone.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniel.chaberman.realestate/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=zeVQOrSJ69g&feature=youtu.be
