S2:E22 Craig Robins I In Miami, All Roads Lead To Craig

"In Miami, all roads lead to Craig." Virgil Abloh, fashion designer, artistic director of Louis Vuitton's menswear

No one of our generation has played a more influential role in defining, redefining and shaping the culture in Miami than Craig Robins. Craig is a visionary in the truest sense of the word, nothing short of brilliant. However, it was his unpretentious personal warmth and willingness to engage with this unknown restaurateur in the 80s that established our connection, one that has endured through his astronomical rise over the past four decades.

As the CEO and President of Dacra, the real estate development company he founded in 1987, Robins focuses on developing creative communities that integrate art, design and architecture to accelerate asset value creation and enrich urban life. Dacra has spearheaded some of the most successful and transformative commercial, residential and mixed-use projects in Miami’s history, including South Beach, the Lincoln Road area, Allison Island and the Miami Design District, an 18-square block neighborhood dedicated to fashion, design and art that incorporates the work of emerging and established architects, public art, Michelin restaurants and stores by the world’s most significant luxury brands.

In 2005, the neighborhood’s rapid renewal inspired the creation of Design Miami/ (Jun) in Basel, Switzerland and subsequently Design Miami/ Basel (Dec) in Miami, design fairs that have evolved into the world’s premier global forum for collectible design. Robins is the Chairman of the show, which he owns in partnership with MCH Swiss Exhibition, the producers of Art Basel.

Join me, your host Brad Johnson , and Craig as we discuss his family life growing up, how a year studying abroad in Spain broadened Craig's view of urban design and inspired his citizen-of-the-world perspective. We learn about the three mentors in his career, the importance of historical buildings in preserving and reflecting culture, and how Craig's love of art, design, architecture and sense of community melded into his business philosophy and storied journey.