Thomas Kramer

Thomas Kramer is a German-born real estate developer and venture capitalist, and television personality, noteworthy for his part in the redevelopment of South Beach, Miami, Florida. He is also a well-known high society figure and philanthropist, hosting charitable events at his Star Island (Miami Beach) mansion.

Haute Living credits Kramer's development many efforts with "transform[ing] the once-blighted community [South Beach] into a sophisticated, world-class destination." A list of prominent examples include Apogee, Portofino Tower, Murano Grande, and Yacht Club. Kramer claims to have developed these while Jorge Perez and Related Group actually did the work and the development on Kramer's land.

His bold lifestyle and former marriage to Catherine Burda, daughter of a well-known German publishing family, made him a regular feature of European press prior to his arrival in the United States. He is also known as a colorful and controversial public figure in Florida, being associated with the gentrification of South Pointe, South Beach. His role and the results have attracted both broad praise and anti-development criticism.

Kramer is the son a Frankfurt stockbroker Willi Kramer. He attended the Salem Boarding School on the shores of Lake Constance. He took up a brokerage apprenticeship in London and became a licensed broker. He afterward joined his father's firm, before moving on to Shearson Lehman Brothers. He founded his own company in 1986, TK Kapitalverwaltung GmbH, through which he made his famous 1987 windfall. He came to prominence as a stock speculator. He correctly predicted a sharp downturn in October 1987. German newspapers reported that he made approximately $30 million in profit. Later he turned to the newly opened real estate market in former East Germany, perceiving an attractive entry opportunity. A flurry of negative press regarding the risks drove investors away.

...
Wikipedia