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Although Andrew Zuckerman of The Zuckerman Group
works alongside his father and two of his brothers,
and spends countless business hours with his third
brother Larry Zuckerman, when Sunday comes, the
ties come off and the Zuckerman family heads to
the Dolphin game, a family tradition since 1966.
However, family runs well beyond the football
stand for the Zuckermans. The Zuckerman Group
is a third generation family business building
homes since 1924. Spearheaded by Andrew, Steven
and David Zuckerman, the brothers have been working
together since 1976, creating more than 5,000
luxury homes throughout Broward, Palm Beach, Martin,
Collier and Lee Counties.
“When my father asked me to join the family
business, it wasn’t just something to think
about. It was something I always dreamed of doing,”
said Andrew Zuckerman, president of the Zuckerman
Group. “Family is the most important thing
in all of us,” says Andrew.
Andrew consults his brothers, Steven and David,
and even a new family associate, his son Ryan,
in all other dealings. “When Ryan explored
career choices, we didn’t want him to feel
any pressure in joining our company. However,
in the end, he realized it’s always family
you can trust and turn to,” says Andrew
Zuckerman. When not working together, the Zuckerman
family plays together. While Sunday is reserved
for football, the family also spends their free
time enjoying family barbecues in which Andrew
is usually designated head chef. Andrew Zuckerman
and son Ryan also work together on the football
fields as quarterback and receiver in weekly flag
football games.
They may make a good team on the football field,
but it’s their business teamwork that has
made them so successful. In late 2003, Zuckerman’s
latest development, Medalist Country Club Estates
& Spa at Hobe Sound, broke ground on construction
locate don the grounds of Greg Norman’s
Medalist Village , golf legend Greg Norman joined
Andrew, David and Steven Zuckerman in the official
property launch of the new 50 acre, 87 luxury
home community.
“Watching Greg over the years on the golf
course and now dealing with his company in the
business world, it is obvious that he is an astute
businessman,” said Andrew Zuckerman, who
recently purchased the remaining acres at the
Medalist Village to build homes from 3,000 sq.
ft. and up and starting in the $700’s. “I
am proud to be doing business together and I know
the homes we build will help create the complete
golfing community at a top golf course.”
The community, which is surrounded by 870 acres
of nature preserves, was purchased from golfer
Greg Norman’s company, The Medalist Golf
Company Hobe Sound Partners. With a world-class
spa, relaxing social and lounge areas, tennis
courts, a Par 3 course and a private Aussie Pub,
the Medalist Village is second to none. All new
residents of the Zuckerman homes will receive
memberships to the Medalist Village allowing access
to all of its exclusive amenities.
Other current Zuckerman Group developments include
homes in The Reserve at Windemere at Jensen Beach,
Summerfield in Stuart, Ibis Country Club, Andros
Isles in West Palm Beach, Mariposa in Naples,
and West Bay Club at Estero.
The family binding ties that have kept the Zuckermans
close has not only made the The Zuckerman Group
successful, but other Zuckerman ventures are thriving
as well. When Larry Zuckerman was a student at
Miami Norland High School in the 1960’s,
split scheduling allowed him to finish his academic
work by noon. But, when the bell rang on the reading,
writing and arithmetic taught in the school system,
Zuckerman joined his dad in his real estate and
finance business to learn the family business
as early as possible. Thirty years later, Larry
Zuckerman, alongside his son, Michael, formed
Metropolitan Financial Corporation, a Plantation-based
full service mortgage brokerage company specializing
in residential purchases and refinancing. Managed
and owned by The Zuckerman Group, Metropolitan
Financial Corporation satisfies customers by suiting
their individual mortgage needs with the lowest
available in South Florida.
Earlier this year, Metropolitan Financial Corporation
partnered with Cooper-Horowitz, a billion dollar
lending company based in Manhattan to form Cooper-Horowitz
of Florida. A family affair, the recent joint
venture with Cooper-Horowitz continued the family
tradition as it gives the South Florida Zuckerman
brothers the opportunity to work with their Horowitz
family members in New York. The partnership of
Metropolitan Financial, which is geared towards
luxury residential and commercial financing, and
Cooper-Horowitz, quite possibly the most experienced
broker in the world, reconnects the Zuckermans
with the Horowitz family members. “It’s
a unique mix to combine residential and commercial
lending together,” said Larry Zuckerman.
“Our relationship with Cooper-Horowitz made
this new business venture a perfect fit. “Bringing
in the Manhattan-based lending company to South
Florida means they can go directly to Wall Street,
which will ultimately lead to stronger relationships.
Cooper-Horowitz, Inc. has arranged financing for
thousands of commercial properties throughout
the United States since 1964. With a total volume
in excess of $4 billion annually, they have an
extensive advisory service for the most complex
real estate transactions.
“Family is the most important thing to
each on of the Zuckerman family members,”
said Larry Zuckerman. “We enjoy being together
and that includes working together,” says
Larry. On holidays and special occasions, however,
business is set aside and the Zuckerman brothers
gather for a celebration with the entire family.
And they have a lot to celebrate.
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