Russell Galbut

“Respect,” “reflect” and “connect” are three words that GFO Investments’ Russell Galbut lives by when undertaking a new project, be it development, conversion, construction or lending — particularly when it comes to projects in South Florida. 

2025 was a banner year for GFO as the firm checked off win after win, including the launch of the Forma Miami residences — one of six towers the firm is developing — which were 97 percent occupied in less than a year. GFO also closed on its newest building, 72 Park, located in the North Beach quarter of Miami Beach, and is in the midst of several other exciting projects. 

The firm recorded close to $2 billion in South Florida condo sales last year, Galbut said, and closed on a $54 million construction loan to build a Whole Foods grocery store in Miami Beach’s Sunset Harbour neighborhood. 

“South Florida had a great, great year this past year, and I think it’s going to continue to have a great year, predominantly because of the wealth of people coming to our community,” Galbut said. “We’re continuing to receive a significant influx of people of substance who are buying condominiums and fueling our economy. And we’re getting closer and closer to having the infrastructure to accommodate everybody.”

Galbut said that working on projects that build on a sense of community and respect an area’s history are important to his team at GFO. Indeed, last April the firm unveiled plans for the redevelopment of the historic
Miami-Dade County Courthouse into a mixed-use property. 

“The courthouse is significant to me because it is a vital asset to our community,” Galbut said. “It’s the very history of the community of Miami. … We’re hopeful of finishing a deal with the county on that, and actually being able to do something very special in a historic way.”