The Alexander brothers’ story has become so public they were parodied at the King Mango Strut Parade, an annual event held in Miami’s Coconut Grove.
Wearing orange jumpsuits, three people from an advocacy group called Blue for the Win, dressed as Oren, Alon and Tal wore signs calling them “Official” rapists (using a font similar to Oren and Tal’s company). Their goal was to raise awareness of the story and urge other women with similar allegations to come forward. It had been just a few weeks since the three brothers were arrested on federal sex trafficking charges, a story that has become part of the cultural conversation in Miami.
This was just one of many signs that this case has captured massive attention, far outside the real estate industry.
At various hearings for the brothers, videographers and TV reporters lined the steps of federal courthouses in Miami, ready to capture members of the Alexander family and the brothers’ attorneys for a snippet of something, anything to advance the story. Some family members wore masks and shielded their faces to avoid reporters. In federal court, they were given a reprieve: no recording or photographs are allowed. It’s an image reminiscent of major trials (albeit on a smaller scale) like those involving O.J. Simpson, Jeffrey Epstein or, soon, Diddy.
Anyone in real estate — and in Miami and New York, that’s a majority of people — is talking about the case. Three brothers, in their 30s, are accused of drugging and raping women in different decades and in different places, sometimes together. The brothers, who have denied the allegations, are in federal custody, which has emboldened more people to come forward, either with allegations they were assaulted by one or more of the brothers, or with claims they are owed money due to an alleged business dispute or unpaid services.
Those following the case want to know who else was involved in the alleged incidents, and who helped keep the allegations from spilling into the public.
What we’re thinking about: We’re still taking predictions for 2025, which will run in a special edition of the Weekly Dirt next week. What do you expect for commercial and resi real estate? Send me a note at kk@therealdeal.com.
CLOSING TIME
Residential: Fatos Rosenberg sold the 1.7-acre waterfront estate at 4445 Sabal Palm Road in Miami’s Bay Point neighborhood to an undisclosed buyer for $85 million, marking the second most expensive single-family home sale in Miami-Dade County.
Commercial: Terreno Realty paid $195.6 million for three warehouses in Doral, marking one of last year’s top industrial deals. GLP Capital Partners sold the buildings at 7725-7785 Northwest 41st Street. They span 495,000 square feet on a 23.4-acre site.
NEW TO THE MARKET
Former F1 driver Eddie Irvine is looking to sell a waterfront estate on Hibiscus Island in Miami Beach for close to $60 million. A company led by Irvine tapped LoKation Real Estate agent Kristi Bachan to list the seven-bedroom, seven-and-a-half-bathroom home at 24 South Hibiscus Drive. The 8,110-square-foot mansion sits on a nearly half-acre lot and it includes a pool, dock and a watchtower, according to the listing.
A thing we’ve learned
Temperatures hit lows in the 30s last week in parts of Florida due to winter storm Cora.
Elsewhere in Florida
- A judge ordered Miami Beach to reopen both lanes on Ocean Drive to vehicle traffic, a result of a lawsuit brought by the owners of the Clevelander hotel and nightclub, the Miami Herald reports.
- Florida’s Division of Emergency Management offered to help California in its response to the deadly wildfires that have ravaged parts of Los Angeles. The state said last week it was preparing to provide workers and equipment to aid in the fight, according to NBC Miami.
- Macy’s plans to close a handful of South Florida stores this year, the company announced. They include furniture stores in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and in south Miami-Dade.