Richard LeFrak
Chairman and CEO
Miami Connection
LeFrak's flagship SoLé Mia in North Miami has evolved a former landfill into a vibrant 184-acre metropolis featuring 5,000 apartments and condos, a 7-acre lagoon, University of Miami health center, charter school, Costco, luxury car dealerships, and popular spots like Sesame Bakery. This project addresses South Florida's multifamily shortage while boosting local economy through jobs, retail, and amenities. Additional ventures like 1 Hotel South Beach and recent site acquisitions further enhance Miami's luxury hospitality and residential landscape.
About
Richard LeFrak, born in 1945, joined his family's LeFrak Organization in 1968 and rose to become chairman and CEO, building it into one of the largest privately held real estate firms in the New York tri-state area. His career highlights include post-2008 investments in BankUnited and the Corus Bank portfolio, marking his entry into Miami. In 2012, he partnered with Barry Sternlicht to acquire and rebrand the Gansevoort Miami Beach into 1 Hotel & Homes South Beach, later selling the hotel for $610 million. LeFrak's Miami connection deepened in 2015 when he teamed with Aventura's Turnberry Associates and Jackie Soffer to buy a 184-186 acre former landfill in North Miami for $21 million, transforming it into the $4 billion SoLé Mia master-planned community. Recently, in 2025, his firm joined 13th Floor Investments and Related Group to acquire a 2.5-acre development site on Bird Road for $35 million. He continues to lead LeFrak's expansion into South Florida, focusing on multifamily housing amid high demand.