New CRE Firm Launches in South Florida as Cold Storage Market Shifts

A shifting market has led a cold storage real estate specialist to launch a new brokerage firm in Doral that focuses on industrial cold storage investments nationwide as well as industrial and office/tenant and landlord representation in South Florida.

George Smith, a former managing director of Mandich Real Estate Advisors, a South Florida brokerage, launched SMITH Commercial Real Estate Group. The firm aims to focus on tenant and landlord representation, as well as investment representation and the research and analysis of industrial dry and cold storage investments across the country.

In 2014, Smith began his career by brokering and transacting commercial real estate in South Florida for end-users and private equity groups. He also worked with Cornerstone International Realty and made of $250M in sales and leases.  In 2018, Smith, Michael, Nick and Mark Mandich launched Mandich Real Estate Advisors, a brokerage that focuses on the cold storage sector in South Florida’s industrial market.

Smith said he wanted to take the brokerage in a new direction and says the change was a natural transition.

“The team and I love what we do, and we are passionate about real estate. Helping and advising is in our blood,” said Smith in a press release.

 According to Smith, the Mandich brothers focus on building their business on cold link logistics, but with a shifting market, Smith felt he couldn’t miss the opportunity to consolidate a team and be more aggressive in the local industry market and focus on the national cold storage market. 

“I am very appreciative of the opportunity they gave me. They are a talented team and are only getting started,” said Smith.

Seth Woods, Julio Navarro and Amarilis “Mayi” Steinberg have also joined SMITH Commercial Real Estate Group. Woods and Navarro served as commercial real estate advisors with Mandich Real Estate Advisors and will serve as Vice Presidents with the new firm. Steinberg is a broker with over 35 years of experience in commercial and industrial real estate.

 “Our team brings the experience, trust and reputation to the table,” said Smith. “Our goal from the very beginning was to build long-lasting relationships and help our clients navigate the South Florida commercial and industrial real estate market. The team we have was built around strong fundamentals of solid character, reputation, and knowledge in the market to make sure we achieve those initiatives.”