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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWWNRD-1 ResumeNora District — West Palm Beach, Florida Wynwood District — Miami, Florida Warehouse Arts District — St. Petersburg, Florida 545 Wyn — 300,000 SF Class -A Office Development 2200 Brickell — 103-Unit Condominium Development EDUCATION University of Florida — Master of Science, Real Estate University of Miami School of Law — Juris Doctor Hamilton College — Bachelor of Arts AREAS OF EXPERTISE JOSEPH FURST Managing Principal I Place Projects joe@placeprojects.com Miami, Florida Real estate developer, investor, and neighborhood builder with more than two decades of experience leading the acquisition, planning, entitlement, development, and activation of mixed -use neighborhoods and destination districts. Recognized for leadership roles in the transformation of Wynwood, the creation of Nora District in West Palm Beach, and the redevelopment of the Warehouse Arts District in St. Petersburg. CAREER HIGHLIGHTS • Founder & Managing Principal of Place Projects • Partner and Master Developer of Nora District, a 40-acre mixed -use neighborhood redevelopment in Downtown West Palm Beach with more than 2 million square feet of planned development • Led the transformation of Wynwood into a globally recognized arts, cultural, and mixed -use district as Partner and Managing Director of Goldman Properties • Founder and Chairman of the Wynwood Business Improvement District • Led creation of the Wynwood Neighborhood Revitalization District (NRD), Wynwood Public Benefits Fund, and Wynwood Design Review Committee • Currently leading the redevelopment of 8+ acres within the Warehouse Arts District of St. Petersburg PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE PLACE PROJECTS I Founder & Managing Principal 1 2018—Present Founded a real estate development and investment firm focused on neighborhood -scale mixed -use development, placemaking, public -private partnerships, and district creation throughout Florida. Representative Projects: Nora District (West Palm Beach) and Warehouse Arts District (St. Petersburg). GOLDMAN PROPERTIES I Managing Director & Principal, Wynwood Portfolio 12008-2018 Oversaw development, financing, leasing, and strategic planning for a portfolio of more than 30 properties totaling over 400,000 square feet. Helped lead the transformation of Wynwood into one of the world's most recognized arts and cultural neighborhoods. CIVIC LEADERSHIP Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) — Founder & Chairman Founded the BID in 2013 and led creation of the Wynwood Neighborhood Revitalization District (NRD), Wynwood Public Benefits Fund (WPBF), and Wynwood Design Review Committee (WDRC). Wynwood Arts District Association — Founding Board Member SELECT DEVELOPMENT EXPERIENCE =t 2 -‹ o c") r— r*o Real Estate Development • Public -Private Partnerships • Land Use & Entitlements • Mixed -Use Development • Community Development • Economic Development • Governance • Strategic Planning • Adaptive Reuse • Neighborhood Revitalization WYNWOOD WAS OUR FIRST PLACE This case study explores the transformation of Wynwood, Miami, from a fragmented industrial district into an internationally recognized center for arts, culture, and innovation. The work of Tony Goldman, founder of Goldman Properties, and Joe Furst, Managing Partner at Goldman Properties and later founder of Place Projects, were central figures in the transformation of the Wynwood neighborhood into a nationally recognized example of placemaking success. Their vision, investment, and leadership reshaped not only the physical landscape but also the cultural and economic identity of the neighborhood. 305.576.3334 _ gl6� PROJECT BACKGROUND By the early 2000's Wynwood was a neighborhood in decline. Once the third largest garment district in the United States, Wynwood had been hollowed out over decades by globalization and econoic shifts. As long-time clothing manufacturers, shoemakers, and wholesalers closed, the neighborhood's warehouses sat empty. What remained was an urban landscape of underutilized warehouses, fragmented ownership, and falling property values. Emptiness created opportunity. The blank walls of the abandoned buildings became canvases for graffiti, signaling both neglect and potential. It was in this context that Tony recognized Wynwood's promise. Goldman was a visionary developer and historic preservationist known for transforming neighborhoods such as SoHo in New York City, Miami Beach's Art Deco District, and Philadelphia's Midtown Village. His approach combined adaptive reuse, historic preservation, art, and hospitality to create vibrant pedestrian neighborhoods. Goldman Properties began acquiring properties in Wynwood in the early 2000s . The company ultimately assembled more than 20 buildings and outlined a master plan to create an artistically driven, architecturally dynamic neighborhood centered on art and culture. In 2009, Tony launched the Wynwood Walls, converting warehouses into a global outdoor canvas for graffiti and street artists. The project became an international destination almost overnight. Wynwood's identity had shifted from a largely vacant industrial neighborhood to an artistic enclave and a fully activated commercial district, alive with people, culture, and a renewed sense of place. PLACEPROJECTS.COM What followed was an organic layering of uses. Art created foot traffic; foot traffic created demand for food and beverage; F&B created reasons to linger; and eventually retail, hospitality, and office tenants followed. This sequence — a bottom -up creative movement meeting a top -down strategy for reinvestment — the stage for Wynwood's evolution into one of the most dynamic mixed -use neighborhoods in the country. Under Tony's mentorship, and later, as Managing Partner of Goldman Properties, Joe played a critical role in expanding the vision and principals of neighborhood building learned under Tony Goldman's tutelage. Under Joe's leadership, Goldman Properties grew its Wynwood portfolio to more than 30 buildings totaling over 400,000 square feet. Joe led tenant curation, policy initiatives, and governance structures that enabled Wynwood to evolve from a grassroots arts community into a sustainable cultural and economic district. C) C3111 =C) tom I it n r— rn WYNWOOD WAS NEVER ABOUT BUILDING A PRODUCT AND HOPING PEOPLE WOULD SHOW UP. IT WAS ABOUT CURATING EXPERIENCES, SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS, AND CREATING A NEIGHBORHOOD PEOPLE COULD FEEL PROUD OF. - JOE FURST 8 inn A A4 WYNWOOD ARTISTIC INTERVENTION AND PLACE BRANDING 00 00 00 00 00 0 0 0 0 01 PANTHER COFFEE 02 WYNWOOD GARAGE 03 WYNWOOD WALLS 04 WYNWOOD BUILDING PLACEPROJECTS.COM OBJECTIVES • Reposition Wynwood from a declining industrial corridor into a thriving cultural and economic destination. • Establish a clear neighborhood identity rooted in art, authenticity, and community. • Support local entrepreneurs and artists by providing capital, mentorship, and space. • Implement governance and policy frameworks that would allow for sustainable growth while preserving Wynwood's character. CHALLENGES • Perception: Wynwood was widely considered unsafe and undesirable, with little demand for retail or office tenants • Infrastructure: Narrow sidewalks, limited parking, and aging building stock made investment difficult • Financing: Traditional lenders viewed the project as too risky, requiring Goldman and early investors to commit personal capital • Policy: Existing zoning did not allow for the type of mixed - use neighborhood that was envisioned VISION IS DAYDREAMING WITH YOUR FEET ON THE GROUND. • r�Y 0 -TONY GOLDMAN PLACEPROJECTS.COM STRILTEGY The Wynwood transformation unfolded across three interdependent domains: 2 ADAPTIVE REUSE + HARDWARE IMPROVEMENTS Goldman and Furst emphasized adaptive reuse rather than demolition. Warehouses were converted into creative retail, restaurants, and office spaces. Public realm improvements such as widened sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, and the Wynwood Garage made the neighborhood more accessible. Bold architectural and design gestures, such as the striped Wynwood Building, created an instantly recognizable identity. TENANT CURATION Tenant curation was essential to Goldman Properties' and the broader neighborhood's success. Early tenants were not selected solely on financial terms. Neighborhood anchors like Panther Coffee and Zak the Baker received favorable leases and direct investment, ensuring their businesses could grow with the neighborhood and in turn create destinations that drew people from across the city. Restaurants like Joey's Italian Cafe and Wynwood Kitchen and Bar set the tone for the district's food culture. Now, nationally acclaimed restaurants such as Uchi, Bakan, and Pastis have flowed into the neighborhood,and Wynwood has become an established culinary hub. PLACEPROJECTS.COM POLICY AND GOVERNANCE As Wynwood's creative momentum accelerated, it became clear that informal growth alone could not sustain the district's long-term success. Existing zoning and regulatory frameworks —designed for heavy industrial use —were misaligned with the neighborhood's emerging identity as a walkable, mixed - use arts district. In response, the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID), in collaboration with the City of Miami and local stakeholders, led a comprehensive planning and rezoning effort to establish a formal governance framework for Wynwood's next phase of evolution. The resulting Wynwood Development Recommendations and master plan, adopted in 2014, provided a policy roadmap that aligned land use, density, mobility, and public space with the district's lived reality The plan emphasized mixed -use development, increased residential density to support a 24-hour environment, reduced parking requirements, and corridor -based intensity —while explicitly prioritizing the preservation of Wynwood's character, human scale, and creative identity. Design review and zoning overlays were structured to guide growth rather than standardize it, allowing the neighborhood to remain authentic, adaptive, and artistically driven. Joe, as founder and chairman of the Wynwood BID, played a central role in advancing these governance initiatives, helping bridge the interests of property owners, artists, entrepreneurs, and the public sector. Together, these policy and governance frameworks transformed Wynwood from an organically emerging arts district into a durable, institutionally supported neighborhood magel, Wable o. N of sustaining growth without sacrificing identity. HUMAN EXPERIENCE OF PLACE Wynwood's success cannot be explained by buildings or policy alone. Its transformation was rooted in the human experience of place —how people move through the neighborhood, where they gather, and how they engage with art, food, and one another. Visitors encounter a district that feels intimate and alive: murals animate formerly blank walls, cafes and galleries extend into the public realm, and the neighborhood's scale encourages walking, exploration, and chance encounters. Over time, Wynwood became more than a destination. It evolved into a shared civic space where artists, entrepreneurs, residents, and visitors coexist — connected by creativity, street life, and a strong sense of belonging. 1 0 WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH WYNWOOD YOU FEEL THE ENERGY OF A PLACE THAT BELONGS TO EVERYONE. ARTISTS, ENTREPRENEURS, NEIGHBORS, AND VISITORS ALL SHAPED IT TOGETHER. THAT IS WHAT PLACEMAKING IS ABOUT. - JOE FURST PLACEPROJECTS.COM OUTCOMES AND IMPACT Economic Growth. The transformation of Wynwood produced measurable economic, m C) m rn r:, cultural, andivic'Esdtcomes that extended well beyond individual buildings or tenants. Early placemaking efforts —combined with thoughtful policy reform —helped catalyze billions of dollars in private investment, repositioning Wynwood as one of Miami's most active and valuable urban districts. Neighborhood Transformation. Visually, the change was immediate and enduring. Adaptive reuse projects such as the Wynwood Building and the Wynwood Walls redefined the neighborhood's identity, while once -forgotten warehouses became recognized local landmarks. These physical transformations were reinforced by a new generation of local businesses. Entrepreneurs like Panther Coffee and Zak the Baker grew from early neighborhood pioneers into nationally celebrated institutions, demonstrating how intentional tenant support can produce lasting economic and cultural impact. Cultural Recognition and Tourism. Wynwood also achieved international recognition as one of the world's most visited arts districts, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually while remaining a meaningful gathering place for Miami locals. Unlike many arts -driven districts, Wynwood evolved into a place that balanced tourism with everyday life —where residents, workers, and visitors coexist within a walkable, mixed -use environment. Policy Legacy. From a policy perspective, the Wynwood Neighborhood Revitalization District established a precedent for arts -focused zoning and district -scale governance. It demonstrated how regulatory frameworks can be used not to standardize neighborhoods, but to protect character while enabling growth —a model that has since informed planning conversations beyond Wynwood. BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS WYNWOOD BUILDING PLACEPROJECTS.COM BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS • PLACEPROJECTS.COM BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS WYNWOOD WALLS m rn rn PLACEPROJECTS.COM BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS PANTHER COFFEE PLACEPROJECTS.COM OOKING AHEAD Wynwood continues to evolve. For Joe, its success is not defined by a finished product, but by the durability of its underlying principles: adaptability, stewardship, and respect for the people who shape a place over time. Wynwood's legacy lies not only in what it became, but in how it continues to change, guided by the same values that defined its transformation. • Economic Growth: Multi -billion dollar investment catalyzed by early placemaking and policy reforms, as evidenced by the thousands of residential units either constructed or proposed and hundreds of thousands of square feet of office, retail, and other commercial uses. • Cultural Recognition: Wynwood became one of the most visited arts districts in the world • Entrepreneurial Success: Local businesses such as Panther Coffee and Zak the Baker grew into celebrated institutions • Policy Legacy: The Neighborhood Revitalization District established a precedent for arts -focused zoning • Tourism and Community: Wynwood became both a global cultural destination and a hub for Miami locals • Future Thinking: something about how Joe feels about the neighrborhood now that isnt too negative to be written in a .pdf LESSONS LEARNED • Neighborhood revitalization depends as much on supporting people as on improving physical space; tenants and entrepreneurs must be treated as partners, not just leaseholders • A strong, authentic cultural identity can serve as the foundation for economic transformation and global recognition • Informal creative energy must be reinforced by formal governance and public -private collaboration to sustain long-term success • Growth is inevitable in successful places, but preserving character requires intentional stewardship, not nostalgia PLACEPROJECTS.COM WE WERE NOT JUST SIGNING LEASES. WE WERE INVESTING IN PEOPLE. WYNWOOD GREW BECAUSE WE BELIEVED IN THE ENTREPRENEURS WHO DEFINED ITS CULTURE. - JOE FURST -411 flak CONCLUSION c-suri C- m c 4 N -71in N m « C.? f; The transformation of Wynwood demonstrates how placemaking, real estate development, and cgiirakii programming can work together to catalyze neighborhood -scale change. What began as an overlkecP industrial district evolved, through creativity, stewardship, and intentional reinvestment, into a globally recognized center for art, culture, and urban life. Through the vision of Tony Goldman and the leadership of Joe Furst, Wynwood evolved from an overlooked warehouse district into a global cultural landmark. Wynwood's success was not the result of a single intervention, but of a sustained commitment to people, place, and process. By aligning cultural identity with thoughtful development and supportive policy, the neighborhood became a model for how growth can be guided rather than imposed. Joe carries these lessons forward through Place Projects, applying the same principles of authenticity, community engagement, and long-term stewardship to new neighborhood -scale developments across Florida, adapting the approach to each place while remaining grounded in the values that shaped Wynwood. TODAY, WYNWOOD STANDS AS A MODEL FOR URBAN REVITALIZATION, CONTINUING TO INFORM AND INSPIRE DEVELOPERS, ARTISTS, AND POLICYMAKERS WORLDWIDE. PliCa PROJECTS STRENGTHENING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PEOPLE & PLACES Place Projects is a Miami -based real estate investment firm, operating partner and placemaker creating lasting value in urban neighborhoods through thoughtful development, planning and content curation. Place Projects and its founder, Joe Furst, have a proven track record of co -creating vibrant developments, working alongside community and policy makers. Place Projects' current real estate portfolio includes several residential, commercial and retail developments throughout Florida, including Wynwood, West Palm Beach, Doral and St. Petersburg. OUR PROJECTS Nora: Nora is a walkable mixed -use district in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach developed by Place Projects. Spanning multiple city blocks, Nora blends thoughtfully restoi historic buildings with new development to create a vibrant neighborhood of restaurants, re@l, hospitality, offices, and residences. Designed around a pedestrian -first streetscape, the district brings together curated local and national concepts to foster a dynamic environment that evolves throughout the day and evening. As one of the most distinctive placemaking initiatives in West Palm Beach, Nora reflects a long-term vision to create an authentic urban neighborhood that connects people, culture, and commerce. www.norawpb.com Wynwood: While at Goldman Properties, Joe Furst played an integral role in the transformation of Wynwood. As Managing Director, Furst was responsible for the financing, development, and leasing initiatives for the entire Wynwood portfolio, including 30 properties and more than 400,000 square feet. Furst also created the Wynwood Business Improvement District (BID) and served as the Chair for a full six -year term from the BID's inception to 2019. 545Wyn: A ground -up new construction 298,000 square foot creative office and retail building in Wynwood. Place Projects is a development partner with Sterling Bay in the Project. St Petersburg: I -Mix is an industrial mixed use rezoning initiative of habitually empty land in St. Petersburg, Florida. Place Projects is spearheading the initiative with the support of community leaders and local government. I -Mix will enhance entitlements to create a transit oriented development with a dynamic public realm that supports artists, makers and ubran manufacturers. 2200 Brickell: 2200 Brickell is a ground up residential condominium project in Miami's Brickell neighborhood, in partnership with Aria Development Group and Largo. C) m m PROJECTS ABOUT JOE FURST Founder & Managing Principal of Place Projects. Joe directs the strategy and execution of all investment opportunities and oversees all projects. Prior to founding Place Projects, Joe was the Managing Partner of Goldman Properties, a real estate development company with holdings in Miami, Philadelphia and Manhattan. Most notably, Joe was critical in the firm's development of the Wynwood neighborhood, transforming the area from a fragmented industrial district into an engaging destination and a true live -work -play neighborhood. Joe was born and raised in Miami, Florida. He graduated from Hamilton College and obtained a law degree from the University of Miami and a Master's in Real Estate from the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida. Joe resides in Miami, Florida with his wife, Rachel, and two daughters