Jorge M. Pérez

Pérez, known as Miami’s condo king, founded the Related Group in 1979 with then-minority partner Steve Ross, and got his start in the industry building affordable housing developments. 

Pérez, who was born in Argentina to Cuban parents, is one of the most influential developers in Miami. Some of his most notable condo projects include the three-tower Icon Brickell complex, SLS Lux and SLS Brickell, Apogee Miami Beach, and the Residences by Armani/Casa, which Related co-developed with Dezer Development. 

During the 2008 financial crisis, Pérez famously handed over the keys to his lenders at some projects as buyers defaulted on their condo purchases. As a result, most developers changed their preconstruction models to require larger deposits that buyers wouldn’t walk away from. 

Pérez, a Democrat, has been critical of Donald Trump’s administration, especially its stance and policies surrounding immigration. He’s also an avid art collector and philanthropist, and the Pérez Art Museum Miami is named after him.  Pérez has been training two of his sons, Jon Paul and Nicholas, to eventually take over the family firm. He also counts on Matt Allen, chief operating officer of Related Group, as a key executive (see related entry).