Shahab Karmely
Founder & CEO
Miami Connection
Shahab Karmely has spearheaded the Miami River renaissance through One River Point, a 780-foot luxury condominium tower offering unobstructed bay and ocean views, transforming a formerly polluted working river into a vibrant urban destination. His KAR Properties has invested over $300 million in Miami acquisitions, including 2000 Ocean—a 64-unit oceanfront tower in Hallandale Beach—and partnerships on Brickell City Centre condos, elevating South Florida's skyline with world-class architecture and lifestyle-driven residences. These projects attract international capital, fostering economic growth and cultural hubs in prime neighborhoods like Brickell.
About
Born in Tehran in 1962, Shahab Karmely immigrated to the United States at age 16 in 1978, with his family facing political exile in Europe before settling in the U.S. With 35 years of international real estate experience, he founded KAR Properties, a New York and Miami-based firm that has acquired, repositioned, and monetized over 3 million square feet of office, luxury mixed-use, and industrial space across the U.S., Southeast Asia, and Europe. Karmely's career highlights include major Miami investments exceeding $300 million in established and emerging neighborhoods. His Miami connection deepened through high-profile projects like 2000 Ocean in Hallandale Beach and co-development of One River Point on the Miami River with Edgardo Defortuna of Fortune International Group. Currently, as Principal and CEO of KAR Properties, he oversees a development pipeline exceeding 5 million square feet, championing innovative designs influenced by his background in fine arts.