Real Estate Artist Speaks at Huizenga School as Distinguished Lecturer

Frank McKinney (right) is presented with a certificate from Joe Pineda, assistant dean of external affairs at the Huizenga School, and Jade Chen, director of development for the Huizenga School

Frank McKinney, known as a real estate “artist” and the creative force behind some of the world’s finest and most opulent mansions ever built, recently spoke at the H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship as part of the school’s Distinguished Lecture Series. The lecture was held on March 12 in the Carl DeSantis Building on NSU’s main campus.

McKinney, who also spoke previously at the Huizenga School seven years ago, shared his story on how he went from digging sand traps at a golf course in Deerfield Beach, Fla., in 1982 to now being recognized as one of the 10 most influential people in luxury real estate. He said he learned from observing the members of the golf and tennis clubs where he worked and saw a chance to enter the real estate market.

McKinney spent $36,000 of his savings in 1985 to buy his first property, repairing the rundown house and selling it for a profit. “I began to see opportunity,” he said. “People are very anxious to live the American dream.”

Six years later, he began purchasing higher end homes. Recently, he just completed Acqua Liana, the world’s largest and most opulent “green” mansion at $29 million. In marketing these luxury homes, McKinney said, “I have to heighten the experience the customer has. I am selling art you can live in. I’m selling a product based on desire.”

McKinney also discussed the three new books he released simultaneously this year, each representing a distinctly different genre: real estate, spiritual/business life and young reader/fantasy fiction.

The Distinguished Lecture Series is sponsored by BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc. For more information, visit http://www.huizenga.nova.edu/DLS/.