Trophy locations and brillantly designed buildings have leap frogged Boca Developers to the top of the South Florida market. How do they do it so well, so often?

Latin CEO: Executive Strategies for the Americas, August-Sept, 2002

"We never planned to be the most prolific," says Boca Developers co-founder Brian Street, "but there was no doubt we were going to be unique."

In describing the quantum change Street's firm has brought to the booming Palm Beach to South Beach condo market, one local expert comments, "Their success forced everyone else to pick up and follow their lead"

One example, he notes, is the size of the residences Boca Developers designs. "Condominiums as big as a house were rare in South Florida until Boca Developers began offering models averaging over 3,000 square feet--about 50% larger than the norm.

Company co-founder Jim Cohen recalls, "We ran an ad campaign entitled Live Large and we handed out yellow tape measures. It wasn't long before buyers were carrying our tape measures into our competitors' models. The message that we were significantly larger got across rather quickly"

But don't think it's simply a case of volume, says Street. "Size does matter... but early on we committed to a higher level of finish and features than the competition and--here was the kicker--our combination of bigger and better was still priced lower than our competitors."

The secret was simple construction math. It cost less to build fewer larger units than many smaller units--fewer kitchens, fewer doors, less hallway and so on.

"As builders we knew how to deliver more size and value, "notes Cohen, "but our key decision was to go only to 'A" locations--on the golf course, on the water, on the beach.

This meant we would always be building the most desirable homes on the market."

Not content to offer the biggest homes at the best location for the best price, Boca Developers next developed their "High Style" concept.

"Every community where we build has its own style, "notes Street. "Boca is not Aventura, and Pompano is not Palm Beach. Our idea was to create the best of each community's style within our own condominiums."

"A good example is our bayfront tower in Aventura, The Peninsula. Our research showed that our buyers there already had access to all the golf and beach they needed, but many of them went on vacation to spas. Our answer: Build them a world-class spa right here at home.

So we sent a team literally around the world, collecting ideas. You'll see the result when we open Peninsula next year. And I think you'll agree we've raised the bar again."

Boca Developers' team has proven that they have the talent and depth to deliver properties well-heeled buyers love. Their next generation of properties, now under design and development, will be--for now--a secret.

"What we're planning right now will be spectacular. "smiles Street, "and bigger than anything else in South Florida. If we get it right--and we think we're there--we are going to change the way buyers look at so-called luxury condominiums."

Again.