New luxury real estate firm debuts, makes first U.S. deal in South Florida

A new luxury real estate firm with global ambitions has entered the South Florida market, signaling strong confidence in the region’s high-end housing sector despite broader economic uncertainty.

Aperture Global Real Estate, an independent brokerage backed by LPT Holdings, launched in May with operations in 15 U.S. states and four international cities, including London, Lisbon, and Toronto. One of its key target markets? South Florida.

The firm’s entry into the U.S. was marked by a $4.29 million home sale in North Miami’s exclusive Sans Souci Estates — a notable first domestic transaction that underscores Aperture’s strategy to quickly establish a footprint in the region.

Aperture is the brainchild of Robert Palmer, who tapped Michael Valdes, formerly global vice president of Sotheby’s for 15 years, and Mercedes Saewitz, former principal broker and founding agent at Compass, to head up the company.

Valdes, global CEO of Aperture, said he was convinced the market could use another high-end player.

“The luxury consumer is a very different consumer,” he said in an interview with the Miami Herald. The firm’s focus is on catering to ultra high net-worth buyers with homes in multiple countries — a clientele Valdes calls “the top 1% of the world.

“To have one company serve that consumer base is really something that doesn’t exist,” he said.

By June 5, Aperture had already completed three deals, Valdes said. But the first two were overseas, in the Caribbean. “Miami was our first deal in the U.S.,” he said.

That’s in part because, “The property was exceptional.”

The firm’s U.S. debut — a modern, 4-bedroom waterfront home in North Miami — was handled by agent Agu Ukaogo. The buyers, a St. Louis couple seeking a vacation home near their daughter, paid close to asking price, reflecting continued demand for luxury properties in the region.

The home, located at 2055 NE 120th Road, features walnut wood floors, a glass interior elevator, and nearly 90 feet of canal frontage. Aperture highlighted the property’s design and views as a prime example of the kind of real estate it aims to represent. The neighborhood, San Souci Estates is an exclusive area in North Miami dating back to the 1950s. Homes there are known for private docks. Birdwatching trails are nearby. So are mangrove forests.

Aperture described the home having “incredible views over the stunning pool to the tranquil canal - with almost 90 feet of water frontage.”

The company has aggressive plans for growth. Aperture is actively hiring 250 founding agents worldwide. For South Florida, it has a goal of placing 100 agents in the next two years. In doing so, they aim to join the ranks of some of South Florida’s leaders in luxury transactions such as Douglas Elliman, Jills Zeder Group, Sotheby’s, Million Luxury and Cervera Real Estate.

Requirements for joining the firm are steep — agents must have closed at least $15 million in sales in the prior year.

Agents who join now can also receive equity in the company, according to Valdes. Parent company LPT Holdings is planning an initial public offering in 2026.

While some markets have softened, Valdes said the luxury tier remains resilient. “There’s still a lot of wealth sitting on the sidelines,” he said.

This story was originally published June 28, 2025 at 4:30 AM.