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Dania Beach’s Iconic Site, “The Gallery of Amazing Things,” Trades Hands in $9.75M Deal

By Bradley Arendt

Colliers International Florida’s Urban Core Division Spearheaded Transaction of Mixed-Use Property

DANIA BEACH, FLA (Mar. 23, 2020) – Dania Beach, Florida is ushering in a new era as the city continues its renaissance into one of South Florida’s most sought-after markets. Colliers International Florida’s Urban Core Division team of Mika Mattingly, Executive Managing Director and Bradley Arendt, Director, recently closed on the $9.75 million transaction of Dania Beach’s most iconic site - The Gallery of Amazing Things, a cultural hub for the arts and event space.

The team represented both the seller Alphawave Holdings, and buyer Marc Aptakin, of MAD Studios, in the transaction.

The Gallery of Amazing Things features two adjoining buildings, situated on 2.53 acres, and spans 49,963 square feet of warehouse space located at 481 South Federal Highway. The buyer intends to use the property as the headquarters of his Marketing and Public Relations firm, MAD Studios. Additionally, the buyer acquired the seller’s book of existing event business.

“Dania Beach continues to grow at a rapid pace and this iconic building has found its new owner. MAD Studios will take the building and the event business to the next level. We continue to see robust demand in Dania Beach from investors that recognize the rare appeal and value the city has as one of South Florida’s fastest growing markets,” said Arendt. “Our team worked diligently with both the buyer and seller and we’re thrilled to have found the ideal buyer that will fully take advantage of The Gallery of Amazing Things’ endless possibilities to reimagine the space and leverage the new development in Dania Beach and unmatched location.”

Previously housing the Graves Museum of Archeology and Natural History, The Gallery of Amazing Things is a cultural center for the arts and an events space for guests of all ages to come together and celebrate, whether private or corporate events.

The property is uniquely located between South Florida’s two main cities, Miami and Fort Lauderdale, and is conveniently near Downtown Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Port Everglades, I-95, I-595 and the beaches. Dania Beach market continues to see an uptick in new development and market activity, with over $1 billion in investments, including Dania City Center, Dania Pointe, the new Spirit Airlines Headquarters and Le Méridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport.

For more information on Colliers International, please visit https://www.colliers.com/en.

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Bradley Arendt | Colliers | Fort Lauderdale

Bradley Arendt

Vice President

Fort Lauderdale

+1 954 652 4622
Email

As a member of the firm’s Urban Core division, I focus on all product types in dense urban areas throughout South Florida. 

I use my extensive background in mortgages, real estate investments, property acquisitions, management, and auctions to assist clients with their brokerage and business development needs. 

Prior to joining Colliers International South Florida, I was with Realty Masters Advisors (RMA) of Fort Lauderdale, where my team and I made a name for ourselves during the real estate downturn, having transacted over $500M worth real estate statewide. Most notably the Naples Square project, whereby I put together joint venture to purchase the 20-acre mixed-use downtown Naples development site from Regions Bank. Other notable transactions include: the Riverbend Walmart site on Broward Boulevard, several Flagler Village multi-family sites, a prime re-development project on Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale and many other income-producing east Broward assets.  

Prior to moving to South Florida in 2010, I was on a business development team in the Chicago office of Sheldon Good & Company. Our team focused on the accelerated disposition of assets during the real estate downturn of primarily excess developer inventory within condominium, townhome, and single-family projects all throughout the eastern half of the country, totaling more than $50 million.

In 2004 I was integral part of a boutique start-up real estate investment company which focused on the buying and selling of residential properties in Florida, Illinois, California and Arizona.

I am licensed in Florida and Illinois as a real estate broker and a member of the National Association of REALTORS®.

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