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Alicia Cervera (born March 26, 1930) is an Peruvian-American businesswoman and distinguished figure in the real estate industry, celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions as the founder and chairman of Cervera Real Estate, a prominent real estate brokerage firm headquartered in Miami, Florida.[1][2] With a career spanning over five decades, Alicia Cervera's visionary leadership has not only revolutionized the South Florida real estate market but also earned her recognition as an entrepreneur and trailblazer.[3] She has been compared to Julia Tuttle as one of the women whose impact on the development of Miami has been the most prolific.[4][5]

Early Life and Entrepreneurial Beginnings

Born in Peru in 1930, Alicia Cervera was the second of three daughters of Teodosio Cabada, a Peruvian ambassador, and Alicia Cipriani, a real estate developer in her hometown of Lima.[2] In 1954, while her father was the Peruvian ambassador to Cuba, she married Javier Cervera, whose family business was centered in the Cuban sugar industry.[2][6] She embarked on her journey to Miami with her husband and their two daughters in the early 1960s, seeking safety in the United States because of the Cuban Communist regime.[2][7] Their initial years were marked by challenges and a fresh start in an unfamiliar land. However, Alicia's entrepreneurial spirit and determination shone through.[6]

In 1966, Alicia Cervera made a pivotal decision when she learned of the transformation of Brickell Avenue in Miami from single-family lots to multifamily development.[1][2] Despite limited resources, she pursued a property on Brickell Avenue, ultimately securing it with sheer tenacity and resourcefulness. This strategic move would become the foundation of her remarkable real estate career.[1][3][6]

Trailblazing Career in Real Estate

With her first successful real estate transaction, Alicia Cervera laid the groundwork for a career that would leave an indelible mark on Miami's real estate landscape.[1][2][3] She was not only a savvy businesswoman but also a disruptor in the real estate industry.[1]

In 1979, she approached New York real estate developer Harry Helmsley with an innovate proposal to exclusively represent his planned 254-unit Palace on Brickell.[1][2][3] Instead of adhering to the traditional role of an in-house developer sales agent, she disrupted the real estate industry by creating a platform dedicated to servicing developer needs.[1][3] The new sales model included a highly trained team of sales professionals; and immersing herself in every aspect of the project, from meetings with architects and contractors to marketing strategies targeted to expose Miami to the world. In doing so, she paved the way for the modern-day model of development sales and marketing, which centers on a wholistic approach and has been widely emulated by brokerage companies.[1][3]

Alicia's international background played a pivotal role in shaping her approach. Her father, who served as Peru's ambassador to the United Nations and Cuba, had instilled in her the importance of understanding and respecting diverse cultures.[2] This perspective guided her vision for Miami's real estate market, which in her eyes was destined to be the foundation of a leading global city.[1] The prolific real estate developer Jorge M. Pérez, known as Miami's "Condo King,"[8] would later credit Alicia for seeing what Miami had to offer buyers from around the globe, saying she was "instrumental in developing that market for the early condo developers like ourselves."[1]

Transforming Miami's Landscape

Within one year of the Palace high-rise, Alicia began securing several other major jobs on Brickell Avenue, including The Atlantis (famously known for its appearance in the opening credits of Miami Vice), Villa Regina and Bristol Towers.[2][6] Ultimately, her mark on Brickell, which is Miami’s financial district, referred to as “Wall Street of the South” and considered one of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the city, would include more than 30 high-rise condominium towers.[1][3][9]  

Alicia Cervera's impact on Miami extended far beyond the boundaries of Brickell. She collaborated with developers to revitalize neighborhoods such as Miami Beach’s South of Fifth, downtown Miami, Coconut Grove, and Edgewater.[5] Her partnership with Jorge Pérez of Related Group transformed South Beach's "South of Fifth" district into one of the most affluent zip codes in the nation.[1][6]

To date, Alicia’s career in development sales and marketing has spanned more than 120 condominium high-rise towers across South Florida representing billions in sales, the most among any real estate firm in the region.[2][5] Among these include iconic Miami buildings representing tens of thousands of residences, including Aston Martin Residences Miami (downtown Miami), Apogee (South Beach), the Ritz Carlton Coconut Grove, St. Regis Bal Harbour, and Grove at Grand Bay (Coconut Grove) among others.  In the process, she has collaborated with more than 85 developers.[1][2][3][9]

Alicia's work transcended sales and marketing; she played a mentorship role, imparting her knowledge and expertise to future generations of developers and real estate professionals.[1] Her ability to connect with people from different cultures and her forward-thinking approach set her apart in the industry.

Legacy and Recognition

Alicia Cervera has been hailed in the press as the "Grand Lady of Real Estate Sales" and the "Queen of Brickell."[1][5][6] Her contributions to Miami's growth and development have earned her numerous accolades and honors, including:

  • In 1991, Alicia was recognized in the the Congressional Record for her achievements in real estate as an example of an immigrant businesswoman who helped make America the great country it is.
  • In 2001 Alicia received the Red Cross Spectrum Entrepreneurial Award
  • In 2006 CAMACOL recognized Alicia Cervera as a Successful Hispanic Businesswoman of the Year
  • In 2009 the Realtor Association of Miami and the Beaches granted Alicia the "Miami Real Estate Icon Award"
  • In May 2013 the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce presented Alicia Cervera with a South Florida Real Estate Achievement and Leaders Award for her Lifetime Achievement.
  • In 2014 Alicia Cervera received several recognitions:
    • South Florida Executive Magazine recognized Alicia Cervera as a “Legend” for her dedication and commitment to the South Florida community.
    • The Miami Master Broker’s Forum “Legacy Award” for her dedication to excellence in business and impact on South Florida real estate.[10]
    • The American Cancer Society Award for Inner Circle of 12.[11]
  • In 2016, Miami Dade County Mayor Tomás Regalado proclaimed October 18th “Alicia Cervera Day,” stating that “no woman other than Julia Tuttle has had a larger impact on the development of Miami than Alicia Cervera.”[4][5]
  • In 2018, Alicia was invited to give a lecture about successful women in business at Colombia University.
  • In 2022, Miami-Dade County dedicated a stretch of the city’s prominent South Miami Avenue as "Alicia Cervera Way" in recognition of her enduring legacy.[1][12][13]
  • In 2023, Alicia Cervera was honored with the South Florida Business Journal's Lifetime Achievement Award, a testament to her unparalleled influence and dedication to the real estate industry.[3] Speaking about Alicia’s recognition, City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez said “I don’t know what Miami would look like, I don’t know what my job as mayor would be without the achievements Alicia gave to our community.”[1]
  • The same year, Alicia was bestowed with the prestigious “Urban Warrior: Legacy Award” by Miami’s Center for Architecture and Design for her dedication to the development of Miami’s urban core into a vibrant cosmopolitan center.[14]

With her daughters, Veronica Cervera Goeseke and Alicia Cervera Lamadrid, actively involved in the family business since the 1980s, Alicia Cervera's legacy lives on through multiple generations.[2]

Civic Leadership and Philanthropy

In addition to her professional achievements, Alicia Cervera is actively engaged in philanthropic endeavors, supporting various charitable organizations and community initiatives throughout Miami and her native Peru.[15]

Alicia has been a supporter of the American Red Cross and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. For the last 40-years, she has been President of Clinica San Juan de Dios Miami Foundation, a hospital for disabled children in her native Peru.[12]

In recent years, Alicia has been a vocal advocate for the need to build affordable housing and believes it is one of the biggest challenges facing Miami’s community.[7]

Throughout her career, Alicia Cervera has always maintained her vision of Miami as a global city with immense potential. Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination, serving as an inspiration to women, immigrants, and entrepreneurs around the world.[1][2]

Personal Life

In 2023 at the age of 93, Alicia Cervera continues to participate in the company she founded, serving as a role model to her family and peers in the real estate industry. She has eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.[7]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Zbar, Jeff (2023-04-13). "'Queen of Brickell' Alicia Cervera Sr. transforms Miami real estate (Video)". South Florida Business Journal. Retrieved 2023-10-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m McCaughan, Sean (2020-02-03). "'Starting over was daunting' — but for three generations of Cervera women, it's paid off". The Miami Herald.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Bandell, Brian (2023-02-17). "Alicia Cervera Sr. named SFBJ's 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2023-10-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ a b Staff, T. R. D. (2016-10-25). "Alicia Cervera | Cervera Real Estate | Alicia Cervera Day". The Real Deal. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  5. ^ a b c d e Nehamas, Nicholas (2023-10-18). "Miami Mayor honors prominent local Realtor with special day". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Arauz, Jorge (2018-06-19). "REAL ESTATE ROYALTY". Brickell Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  7. ^ a b c Levy, Art (2022-08-11). "Florida Icon: Alicia Cervera". Florida Trend. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  8. ^ Warren, Katie (2021-07-29). "Miami's billionaire 'Condo King' is selling his waterfront mansion in a gated Florida community for $33 million. Take a look inside". Business Insider. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  9. ^ a b "About Us - Cervera Real Estate, Inc. Cervera Real Estate, Inc". cervera.com. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  10. ^ "Legacy Awards". Master Brokers Forum. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  11. ^ "News". The Brickellian. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  12. ^ a b Regan, Patrick (2022-04-14). "Portion of South Miami Avenue renamed in honor of Miami real estate legend Alicia Cervera Sr". South Florida Agent Magazine. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  13. ^ Castrope, Daniel (2022-04-14). "Honran a empresaria Alicia Cervera con calle en Miami-Dade". diariolasamericas.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  14. ^ "Urban Warrior Awards - Miami Center for Architecture & Design, Inc". Miami Center for Architecture & Design, Inc. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
  15. ^ Cela, Victoria (2022-04-25). "County commisioners co-designate part of S. Miami Ave. as 'Alicia Cervera Way' | Biscayne Bay Tribune#". Miami's Community News. Retrieved 2023-10-18.
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