K
aya Wittenburg, has gone from small Mid-
west town, to becoming a top fashion model
working directly with Gianni and Donatella
Versace, to leading U.S. and global de-
velopers in selling the most breathtaking
condos in the world.
Through beautification in real estate design, Kaya Wit-
tenburg has risen to being involved in over $4B worth of
real estate sales in some of the most exclusive locations
on the planet.
This has included promoting exciting world-class proj-
ects in Las Vegas, Miami, Panama and the Bahamas.
As a public speaker and high-profile industry personal-
ity, he has been featured on CNN, BBC World, GQ, and
The Wall Street Journal, just to name a few.
I managed to track Kaya down between photo shoots
to tap into some highly credentialed insights on branding
new construction, and profiting from the highest end real
estate investments. So, what tips can be gleaned from
Wittenburg’s successes for maximizing personal perfor-
mance, scooping better deals on luxury real estate, and
renovating or building new projects that push new limits
in ROI?
Just what can the glamorous modeling world teach
aspiring real estate moguls?
For real estate investors seeking the most attractive
returns with maximum security, the Sky Five Properties
founder says, “Investors have a greater margin of safety
in branded residences because resale values have been
proven to be somewhat more stable than non-branded
residences.”
He also comments that when it comes to renovating
or designing new multifamily, conversions and condo
developments one of the worst mistakes is, “A lack of
creativity and sex appeal for lobbies and pool decks,
which can destroy pre-construction sales efforts.”
Being one of the most transparent authorities in the
world of real estate sales, Kaya has often ruffled the
feathers of his competitors by openly giving condo buy-
ers and investors the upper edge. He says, “Everything
is negotiable, even in pre-construction developments,”
and often offers insights on common real estate sales
tactics via the Sky Five Properties Blog.
ON DEVELOPING AND MAINTAINING AN ELITE
LEVEL OF PASSION AND CREATIVITY…
In addition to world travel, Kaya Wittenburg was
blessed growing up in a real estate household with his
mother actively sharing her deal-making and entertain-
How do you go from growing up in a small suburb to selling over
$4B of the Most Envied Destination Real Estate on the planet?
Kaya Wittenburg says from his first big casting in
Milan with Gianni Versace, the modeling world provided
countless experiences in learning about people, trends
and the details of effective styling. From new countries
to diverse cultures and new friends, Kaya says he found
“Fashion, art, architecture and interior design,” all appre-
ciated by those he mingled with.
Of his first Versace dinner Kaya says he remembers
being “Totally overwhelmed. The attention to design was
simply amazing. Every plate, tray, piece of silverware at
the table was a work of art.”
While some might find this level of attention to detail
and priority on luxury excessive in the real estate world,
it has proven to be a consistent component in the suc-
cess of leading luxury brands, while delivering real lifts
to profit margins.
When asked what was behind his success, Paul
McRae, broker of the Galleria Collection of Fine Homes
in Fort Lauderdale once pointed to his $300 per foot of-
fice wallpaper. One of the top ten Manhattan brokerage
firms MNS recently achieved a $200 per foot premium
on unit sales at the Edge through its efforts in marketing.
Wittenburg says he is currently working with a hot brand
in Miami that plans to catapult oceanfront property prices
by 35% with a new luxury development.
ing client-friends for dinner. It was at this young age Wit-
tenburg caught the excitement of real estate investing.
Of course, as any investor, REALTOR ® or CEO
knows, it takes regular maintenance and intentness to
keep up an elite level of passion and innovation to op-
erate at the very top of the game. To this end, Kaya has
nurtured a lifelong yearning for learning and constant
self-improvement. The Miami real estate innovator says
“meditation and yoga practice has helped me elevate the
quality of my thoughts – thinking thoughts that induce a
sense of excitement, confidence, and gratitude, every
day.”
While others striving to compete in this fast-based
business normally wind up letting what they have
learned fall to the wayside, Kaya says religiously sticking
to “daily journaling makes a huge impact in long-term
success,” a practice he picked up from former Florida
Governor, Bob Graham.
Want to find out what’s the next big pivot for Miami
real estate, and which top global label will be the next to
unveil a luxury branded building in the Magic City? Kaya
says we’ll have to look out for his next update.
Find out more about Kaya Wittenburg’s story and track
Miami real estate trends online www.SkyFiveProperties.
com and via Twitter @Sky5Properties.