Editor’s Letter: In South Florida, the Business of Luxury Holds Sway

This issue is a fine example of where business and wealth not only intersect, but are synonymous. When we say “wealth” at SFBW, we’re talking, obviously, about our robust financial advice coverage, but we’re also referring to a wealthy life, in all respects: leisure, balance, health of mind and body—how to invest your money, your time, your attention. 

This truth is one reason why we adjusted the cadence and content of our newsletter to include a Weekend edition that covers travel, dining, design and wellness. And because all these areas are big business—everywhere, but particularly in South Florida—often the lines between business and wealth and leisure and luxury are permeable. 

You’ll see evidence of that expansive, integrated vision in this issue. When we explore the news about XO private air and the forthcoming Cipriani Residences Miami, that’s business—and luxury lifestyle. When we cover the growing restaurant empire that includes Mandolin and the Drexel, and report on our edifying Women on Purpose panel discussion event at Holman Motorcars—surrounded by Bentleys and Rolls-Royces—we see, that in South Florida, lifestyle is big business.

And given that South Florida is the world’s cruise capital, our special coverage of a Seabourn experience, though dreamy and transporting, reinforces the fact that our region’s economy and its livelihoods, no matter how diversified they become, will always mean travel, tourism—the good life. 

No one understands this better than our dynamic cover star, Harvey Hernandez (“On a Roll”), founder and CEO of Newgard Development Group, whose twice-monthly travels inspired the innovative business concepts behind his Natiivo and Lofty residential projects in Miami: “A few years ago, I was going to New York for meetings on a regular basis, and I love New York because it’s extremely inspirational, especially for a businessperson, especially in real estate,” he says. “I was convinced that I wanted to buy an apartment there and to spend, you know, four or 4 ½ months there every year. But then, I thought, I wonder if I could find something that I can also share, so that the additional 8 months that I’m not using it could somehow cover my expenses. Guess what? I couldn’t find it—doesn’t exist, not legally, not above-board.”

Now it does, courtesy of Natiivo. And with Lofty, Hernandez supercharged the idea. That’s because he understands that in the tricounty region, big business is luxury lifestyle, and luxury lifestyle is big business. 

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