MICHAEL DEZER
FOUNDER of DEZER PROPERTIES & DEZER HOTELS
The name Michael Dezer is synonymous with the spirit of community and achievement. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, Dezer immigrated to the United States in 1962 after having served in the Israeli Air Force.
In 1970, Dezer founded Dezer Properties, a now prominent New York City commercial real estate company. The first developer to identify Chelsea as an up-and-coming district in New York City, Dezer had the opportunity to develop a portfolio of the area’s choicest properties. Dezer became instrumental in the positioning of the “New Chelsea Image,” taking it from a failing fur and manufacturing district to a hub of fashion, creative resources, multinational company headquarters and offices, and desirable loft style living spaces.
Dezer’s vision enabled Dezer Properties to be the first developer in New York City to convert factory buildings into luxury office cooperatives, and position the Chelsea area as one of the most sought-after in the city. Today the Dezer Properties New York portfolio is the largest of its kind in Chelsea, with holdings that include 20 commercial buildings, in addition to completing eight commercial co-ops and one luxury residential loft condominium, and encompassing more than 1.3 million square feet of space.
In 1985, Dezer began to purchase oceanfront property in south Florida and is now one of the largest oceanfront property owners in Sunny Isles Beach, owning just over 27 oceanfront acres and representing one of the largest holdings of beachfront property owned and developable in the state. Today he owns the well-known Howard Johnson Plaza Dezerland Beach & Spa in Miami Beach, Florida, which is situated on over two oceanfront acres, as well as the Travelodge Monaco Beach Resort, the Days Hotel Thunderbird Beach Resort and several other local condominium and resort properties. Dezer also retains the development rights to additional properties in Sunny Isles Beach that represent over 30 oceanfront acres.
Dezer, together with his partners, Donald J. Trump and son, Gil, has been instrumental in changing the fabric of the South Florida real estate market through his development of the Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences and Trump Towers. Representing the largest resort and tallest residential community ever developed in Sunny Isles’ history, the Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences features the Trump International Beach Resort, Trump Palace and Trump Royale.
As Dezer Properties continues to expand its portfolio, Dezer has taken on a new venture, building his Dezer Collection Museum and Pavilion that is slated to open in North Miami in Spring of 2011. An avid car enthusiast and collector for nearly 50 years, Dezer today owns over 1,000 of the most unusual vehicles held in any private collection in the world, including American classics from all eras, rare European classics, Hollywood “Star” cars and microcars, along with classic motorcycles and more. In addition to the extraordinary collection of vehicles that will be on display, the Dezer Collection Museum and Pavilion will offer a Hollywood car rental program and a unique event and meeting venue.
Over the years, Dezer has been a long time staunch supporter of various American and Israeli charities.
Michael Dezer is married to his wife Neomi for over 40 years and resides in Sunny Isles, Florida. The Dezers have three children, all of whom work at Dezer Properties.
Doug Redenius
Doug comes to the Dezer team with a background in antiques, memorabilia and automobiles. He was an appraiser of antiques for many years – an avid collector of both Hollywood memorabilia and cars. Several cars in his private collection over the years have been a 1929 Model A Ford, 1958 Buick Special, 1969 Pontiac Custom-S, 2005 S-Type R Jaguar and a 1986 Chevy Corvette – to name a few.
His collection of James Bond memorabilia was world renown – numbering over 12,000 items in total. Including posters, costumes, gadgets, books, toys and music amongst other things. His collection was purchased by Michael Dezer in 2011 and will be on permanent display in the James Bond vehicles exhibit at the Dezer Collection beginning in 2012.
Doug’s educational background is in photography having graduated in 1975 from Ray/Vogue School of Photography in Chicago. He owned his own construction company for years before going to work for the federal government – where he remained for 31 years.
Doug is the managing director / curator of the Dezer Collection. He looks after the day to day workings at the museum and handles the rental and acquisitions for the collection. He is a 56 year old, married father with one daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. He and his family moved from just outside of Chicago to Sunny Isles Beach, Florida in 2011.
Doug is also one of the co-founders of the Ian Fleming Foundation (www.ianfleming.org). A none-profit 501 (c) 3 charity established 20 years ago to preserve and archive the legacy of famed author Ian Fleming. His position there is of vice-president and director of acquisitions. The Ian Fleming Foundation currently owns 32 actual James Bond vehicles that were used during the production of various 007 adventures.
