Miami Beach Entrepreneur Marc Lawrence Injects New Life into Forlorn Anglers Hotel

Marc Lawrence

MIAMI BEACH, FL -- Introducing Marc Lawrence of LBL Development Group, the real estate developer who owns the Anglers Hotel in Miami Beach, FL.

Anglers Hotel, 660 Washington Avenue, South Miami Beach, FL

According to marketer Katherine Fleischman, "This serial entrepreneur turned passion into project, and although he has his Masters in Real Estate law, Lawrence landed in the hotel industry inadvertently. 

Fleischman says, The Anglers "all started when longtime Miami Beach resident  Lawrence was working at The Related Group. To relax he would jog along the neighborhood, and while the rest of the area was being developed, he noticed a worn-down, neglected Mediterranean Revival building." 

Eric Lawrence

The original Anglers began as a simple 49-room condo/hotel conversion, and ran into headwinds due to market conditions, which forced the developer to return deposits when buyers couldn’t obtain end-loans. 

Other issues ensued such as renegotiating a bank loan, buying out partners, operational issues, evicting a restaurant tenant for not paying rent, and a global recession. 

After seven years of ups and downs, KHP (and Kimpton hotels) entered as a partner to merge the existing hotel with a newly acquired property to build phase two, adding 85 new rooms, complete with a rooftop pool, underground parking, retail space, a new lounge (Minnow bar), new restaurant (Seawell Fish and oyster), and renovations of the existing property. 

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, 2013--2017

Fleischman says, "The (Anglers) hotel is currently a shining star on Washington Avenue. While other developers are beginning construction today, there are around 1,000 new units being built on Washington avenue, and the Anglers is once again the trendsetter on the block, leading the way for a new and improved Washington Avenue." 

Before the transformation, LBL ran the existing hotel and became top on TripAdvisor three years in a row, with a successful neighborhood Restaurant 660, inviting lounge, an expansive boutique feel, large rooms, brunch, and outstanding hospitality.

"Moreover, Lawrence has been on a mission to refresh and relaunch the deteriorating area of Washington avenue."

 Currently, Lawrence sits on the Washington Ave BID (Business Improvement District (the BID) as secretary). Under former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine (2013--2017), the city recognized that Washington Avenue needed help, and Marc’s brother Eric was appointed to the Blue Ribbon panel to incentivize developers to invest in and improve Washington avenue. 

Fleishman says, "After Lawrence worked tirelessly to change zoning and planning laws, Washington is in the middle of a revitalization, and armed with a 10 million dollar General Obligation Bond GO BOND to spend on a master plan, clean up, additional security, creating artistic street interactions and hosting concerts in the area. 





"The transformation of the community and interaction has been a top priority forLawrence."

Fleishman adds, Lawrence "can speak from experience" on trending topics, such as:

-Lessons on trials and tribulations of an entrepreneur

-How to evaluate and refresh the right area and property, while always having to be in step with the market

-How to reinvent yourself in the real estate game

-How to raise capital using connections with banks, architects, lawyers, and other professionals

Lawrence says, “We want to bring fun, exciting properties to the market and have a positive impact on the neighborhoods we build in. The mission is to continue in hospitality, add value, and create exciting destinations.”

Washington Avenue today

The suite section of the hotel includes rooms that are larger than most on Miami Beach and can accommodate longer stays. The Anglers includes fitness classes on the roof in the mornings, two pool hotel within the 17 duplexes, offering larger, cozier rooms with outdoor space, plus a nook and a cranny bar — Seawall Fish and Oyster. 

Lawrence says, "The life of a developer is spontaneous to say the least— every day is totally different. 

Washington Avenue, South Miami Beach, FL, in the 1950s before restoration and rejuvenation period began in the mid-1980s

"It can range from walking a construction site, meeting with a design professional, or GM regarding a celebrity in-house, attending city commission meetings, visiting a warehouse storing FF&E, and partner meetings all in the same day."

Katherine Fleischman

Adds Fleischman,  "Lawrence is not afraid to get his hands dirty and do anything that is required, including punching units in the morning and checking people in at night." 

CONTACT:

Katherine Fleischman 

katherine@superconnectormedia.com