Russell Galbut and his partners have appointed new leadership at Galleria Fort Lauderdale as they consider a significant redevelopment of the property. Jim Heilmann has joined the mall as senior general manager, according to a press release. The ownership group, which includes Galbut’s GFO Investments, InSite Group, Atlas Hill Real Estate, and Prime Finance, acquired the 800,000-square-foot indoor mall last month for $73 million. Plans under consideration for the site include constructing nine 30-story towers, a 170-room hotel, and hundreds of residential units in line with Florida’s Live Local Act, as reported by the Miami Herald.
Heilmann, who will lead the mall’s operations, marketing, and tenant relations, previously served as vice president of operations at Area15, an entertainment district in Las Vegas. Centennial, the firm managing Galleria, will oversee his work.
In other real estate moves, Douglas Elliman has added Venezuelan actress and TV personality Chiqui Delgado to Edgar Marquez’s Casa Team. Delgado, who is also an interior designer and real estate investor, is entering the brokerage business for the first time. This move also marks the Casa Team’s expansion into Miami. Marquez, originally from Venezuela, lived in Miami before relocating to New York City in 2005 and has been with Elliman in New York for two years.
Additionally, David Martin’s Terra has named Elliman’s New York-based Chestler Jacobs Team as national brand ambassadors for its South Florida projects. Led by Jessica Chestler and Ben Jacobs, the team will organize private events, broker tours, and presentations to support Terra’s local sales teams. Projects in their portfolio include Mr. C Residences in West Palm Beach, the Well Bay Harbor Islands, the Well Coconut Grove, and Villa Miami.
Shawmut Design and Construction has hired Scott Remer as a project executive amid rapid expansion of its South Florida team. Remer will oversee office and field operations for his projects. He previously served as COO at Current Builders. Shawmut reports that it has increased its South Florida staff by 20 percent and expanded its office space by 50 percent in recent months.
