Draft:Edgardo Defortuna

Edgardo Defortuna is an Argentine-American real estate developer and businessman. He is the President, CEO, and Founder of Fortune International Group, a real estate firm known for its high-end luxury properties in South Florida, Latin America, and Europe. Defortuna is fluent in both English and Spanish.

Early Life and Education
Edgardo Defortuna was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the age of three, his family relocated to Córdoba, where he spent his early years. In 1983, after obtaining his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering from the National University of Argentina, he moved to the United States. Subsequently, he moved to the United States, initially to accompany his sister pursuing medical studies, but decided to stay permanently. Defortuna later enrolled at the University of Miami, where he obtained an MBA. His career in real estate began in 1983, managing properties for family and friends and acquiring a small brokerage in the Brickell area.

Career
Edgardo Defortuna was referred to as Miami's "condo whisperer," a term coined by The Real Deal South Florida in a profile article. Defortuna is known in the Miami market for his strategic partnerships and efficient project retooling to accelerate sales processes. This approach contrasts with more traditional strategies that emphasize rapid expansion and high visibility.

Defortuna initially focused on units within the Brickell Place complex, where he established his first office. As his business grew, he acquired several real estate companies and consolidated them into a single entity, leading to the creation of Fortune International Group. The choice of name was a nod to Americanizing his surname, Defortuna, thus adopting 'Fortune.'

During this time, Defortuna recognized an opportunity in the Latin American market and worked to meet the needs of South American clients. He collaborated with legal and financial experts to simplify the purchasing process, making it more accessible and structured. He also traveled extensively across Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia to market his services and establish business relationships with local brokers.

By 1998, alongside his wife Ana Cristina Defortuna, Defortuna had developed Fortune International Group into a leading brokerage, establishing a strong presence in Miami’s most sought-after neighborhoods, including Brickell, Key Biscayne, Coral Gables, Miami Beach, Aventura, and Sunny Isles Beach.

The brokerage expanded into development with the Jade Residences at Brickell Bay project. Despite market uncertainties following the events of September 11, 2001, the completion of this 48-story high-rise in 2004 not only launched the Jade brand but also marked a significant shift in Defortuna's career, highlighting his debut in major development ventures.

In 2008, Defortuna completed Jade Beach, a 51-story, 248-unit tower in Sunny Isles Beach, followed by Jade Ocean, a 52-story, 251-unit tower in the same area a year later. The Jade series, named after Defortuna's late father, José Andrés Defortuna, symbolizes prosperity, well-being, and nobility—reflecting the familial connotation of fortune.

In 2018, Defortuna completed Jade Signature, also located in Sunny Isles Beach. For this project, Fortune International Group collaborated with the Pritzker Prize-winning architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and renowned interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon.

For this project, there was an architectural challenge to enhance the sun exposure to the pool area and eliminate the typical parking pedestal. The Defortunas then traveled to Switzerland to consult with Herzog & de Meuron to address these issues. The architects proposed rotating the design of the building approximately 15 degrees without altering the unit orientations, maximizing sun exposure and meeting the couple's design requests.

Fortune International Group operates in various aspects of the real estate industry, including development, resale brokerage, and new development sales and marketing.

Defortuna has been recognized for contributing to the internationalization of Miami and enhancing its reputation as a global business, trade, and vacation hub. As a result, Fortune International Group has gained a strong presence in Latin America and has expanded into the European and Asian markets, with a special focus on Spain, Britain, France, Turkey, and Russia. Defortuna's strategic vision and hands-on approach to managing day-to-day operations have contributed to Fortune International Group’s involvement in integrating international architectural talent into local projects and launching notable developments.

His upcoming projects include Ora by Casa Tua in Brickell, the St. Regis Residences in Sunny Isles Beach, the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Pompano Beach, Nexo Residences in North Miami Beach, The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Miami, Cipriani Residences Miami, Pagani Residences in North Bay Village, Bay Harbor Towers in Bay Harbor Islands, and more.

Additionally, in 2022, Fortune International Group fortified its brokerage division, Fortune International Realty, by partnering with Christie’s International. Since then, the brokerage has expanded to over 600 agents across 11 Miami offices, with additional offices in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Family Matters and The Next Generation
From its inception, the Defortuna family has played a role in the operations of Fortune International Group. Walter Defortuna, Edgardo's brother, previously led Fortune International Realty. Their sister, Monica Defortuna, actively contributes to the company's strategic direction as its Vice President.

Ana Cristina, serving as the Executive Vice President of Sales at Fortune International Group, has played a role in shaping the aesthetic and operational aspects of their projects.

In their Jade Signature project in Sunny Isles Beach, Ana Cristina and Edgardo collaborated with interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, whom they met after experiencing his work at the Four Seasons Georges V in Paris. Herzog & de Meuron, a Pritzker Prize-winning architectural firm, joined the project as architects following the Defortunas' visit to Basel, Switzerland.

For the Ritz-Carlton Residences in Sunny Isles Beach, Ana Cristina enlisted Michele Bonan, known for his design work with the Cipriani restaurant chain and J.K. Place hotels. This led to a continued partnership with the Ritz-Carlton and Oak Capital for a new development in Pompano Beach, scheduled for completion in 2025.

For the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Pompano Beach, Ana Cristina selected Piero Lissoni to lead the architectural design, based on his previous successful engagement with the Ritz-Carlton Residences, Miami Beach. Lissoni's influence extends to his roles with noted firms such as B&B Italia, Boffi, Cassina, and Cappellini.

Ana Cristina attended Boston University, where she double-majored in Finance and Business Administration, and later moved to Miami. She met Edgardo at a chamber of commerce event at the Defortuna home, and they eventually married. The couple has five children, with their eldest son currently a college student working part-time at Fortune’s office. The family is involved in addressing affordable housing challenges in Miami-Dade County.

Philanthropy and Civic Involvement
Edgardo Defortuna is involved in philanthropic activities, including contributions to the arts, education, and healthcare. He supports the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and participates in the governance of various educational and health organizations. Defortuna serves on the advisory board of the University of Miami Business School, is a member of the Board of Trustees of Ransom Everglades School, and holds a position as a board member of the Argentine-U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Miami. His civic engagements focus on enhancing cultural and educational opportunities within the community.

Honors and Awards
Throughout his career, Defortuna has received numerous accolades, including the 2014 CEO of the Year Apogee Award and the 2021 Circle of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award by South Florida Business and Wealth; the 2017 Florida Titan of the Year Award by Haute Residences; the 2024 Developer of the Year by the RED Awards Florida; and, the 2023 South Florida Ultimate CEO recognition by the South Florida Business Journal. His role in promoting international business ties and his innovative contributions to the Miami real estate market have also earned him international recognition, such as the Argentine Developer Who Succeeds Abroad Award in 2023.