How Multifamily Management is Changing in the Luxury Hotel Age

Alex Martin brings nearly two decades of hospitality industry experience to KWPM.

MIAMI— Alexander Martin has switched allegiances to KW Property Management & Consulting . He comes on board as regional manager as the company continues posting strong growth. He previously served as director of residential services at St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Martin brings nearly two decades of hospitality industry experience to KWPM. In his new role, he oversees district, property and general managers and works with developers and association board members on the strategic direction of properties in the firm’s portfolio. Martin will also help recruit talented professionals to beef up the company’s Hospitality Luxury Services division. “The luxury residential market is evolving now to the point where new buildings have virtually the same amenities as a high-end hotel ,” Martin tells GlobeSt.com. “These residents are the guests who never check out. They want to live full-time in a hotel environment. From a management standpoint, you have to train your staff to learn the habits of their residents and anticipate their needs, everything from what kind of sugar they use in their shot of espresso to what music station should be on when valet retrieves their car. No detail is too small.” Through the Hospitality Luxury Services division, KWPM offers clients management services on par with high-end hotels . Brickell City Centre (the Reach and Rise condo buildings), the Bimini Bay Resort, Echo Aventura, Oceana Key Biscayne, Glass, 900 Biscayne, One Miami and Turnberry Village are among the firm’s clients. KWPM is in the process of opening Grove at Grand Bay, The Bond, Oceana Bal Harbour, and Sage Beach. “We expect to expand the division significantly during the next 24-to-36 months as more residential assets shift to operating like luxury hotels , with virtually the same amenities,” said KWPM managing director Paul Kaplan . “Alexander is a pivotal part of that growth. He will work closely with our high-end developers and property owners to ensure they meet the demands of their unit owners and residents.” Martin’s hospitality experience includes 12 years at Ritz-Carlton. He has managed more than 300 ultra-luxury residential and condo- hotel units valued at more than $1 billion. In 2006, he was honored by the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau as its Hospitality Person of the Year. Want more keys to stronger property management? Check out this column .