Our Story
Making the most out of every place.
Our Story
Southern Waters Development (“SWD”) was originally the exclusive development arm of Southern Waters Capital, a Florida-focused real estate investment company. SWD is led by its co-founders, Ray Mazzie, Dean Myerow, and Andrew Sinclair, who combined have over 40 years of experience in real estate development and project management. Through their experiences, the group has expertise in a wide range of asset types, ranging from traditional multifamily, single-family homes, industrial complexes, urban infill, low-rise multifamily, townhomes, and manufactured/modular housing. SWD got its start by taking unentitled land to a shovel-ready state for institutional developers and builders throughout the Sunbelt. As time went on, it became apparent that SWD had the capacity to provide development services to other owners and developers in addition to its proprietary pipeline. This made it a relatively easy decision for Andrew, Dean, and Ray to begin offering SWD's services to third-party owners. The team at SWD takes an owner's approach to each project. We create and execute a unique development plan for each opportunity to ensure it's developed in the most efficient and effective manner.
Meet the Founders
Dean Myerow is a Managing Partner at Southern Waters Development (“SWD”), experienced investment banker, and an asset manager with a strong financial and legal background. He began his career on Wall Street in 1993 and founded Bergen Capital Inc., a successful investment banking and broker dealer firm, in 1998. At Bergen Capital, Dean established a successful project-based affordable housing underwriting program in the public finance markets as well as through Fannie Mae and FHA. In 2005, the firm was acquired by BB&T Bank (now Truist Bank), and Dean was chosen to lead their project finance underwriting and syndication as well as the special opportunities group acquiring distressed multifamily housing project loans, among other assets. He has a reputation for being a profitable and opportunistic asset manager while also safeguarding the bank's capital. Throughout his career, Dean has been involved in transactions worth billions of dollars in investment-grade loans and high-yield debt. He has also served on creditor committees, acted as a bond tender agent, advised trustee banks, and has taken an active ownership role in credit workouts involving multifamily, healthcare, detention facilities, and student housing. Dean holds a degree in finance from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1995.
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Andrew Sinclair is the Chief Development Officer at Southern Waters Development (“SWD”) and an experienced finance and construction management professional. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Applied Economics and a Master of Science in Finance from Florida State University. Andrew's career has spanned both financial services and construction management, starting in public accounting, where he provided consulting services to financial institutions. Andrew later transitioned to Turner Construction, a leading construction management firm, where he gained experience in budget management and project controls. He has worked on projects ranging from $1 million to $700 million in the public and private sectors. In addition to his professional experience, Andrew is also a Florida licensed real estate agent with a focus on strategic investments in single-family homes, traditional multifamily properties, and manufactured housing communities.
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Ray Mazzie is a Managing Partner at Southern Waters Development ("SWD"), where he focuses on sourcing investment opportunities and assembling the necessary team to develop each project. Before co-founding SWC, Ray led corporate development for a start-up company, where he raised capital and worked to structure partnerships with research universities, local, state, and federal governments. Ray holds a JD/MBA from Florida State University and degrees in economics and political science. He is a member of the Florida Bar and a former Florida Gubernatorial Fellow for Governor Rick Scott. Ray has extensive experience working with legislators and government agencies, having previously worked at the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, and the Florida Lottery. In addition to advising small businesses and start-ups on business strategy and legal issues, Ray has also worked with corporate clients on business structuring and transaction needs and has been involved in real estate transactions, asset dispositions, and business continuity implementation. Ray has a track record of fostering collaborative business relationships and strategic partnerships at the intersection of business and bureaucracy.
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Experience
SoLiv at Wildwood (Wildwood, FL)
SoLiv at Wildwood is a ground-up development project that will be situated at the corner of Powell Rd. and Huey St. in beautiful Wildwood, FL, which is located within The Villages MSA. The site is an approximately 24-acre assemblage of five parcels. SoLiv at Wildwood is a mixed-product community that will consist of 200 units of multifamily and 160 townhome units. The multifamily will be comprised of two 5-story buildings, and the entire community will be complete with surface parking and a full amenity package. The project will consist of studio, 1/1, 2/2, and 3/2 floor plans. The amenities will include a pickleball court, pool & grill area, fitness center, and immediate access to the Millennium Park & Wildwood Community Center, which are adjacent to the project and currently undergoing capital improvements.
Northern Oaks - Phase 1 & 2 (Ocala, FL)
Northern Oaks is a ground-up development project that will be situated on NE 35th St. in gorgeous Ocala, FL. Northern Oaks is a two-phase mixed-product community that will consist of 672 garden-style multifamily and build-to-rent townhome units complete with a full amenity package. This site is the result of a 3-parcel assemblage totaling over 56 acres. The community will contain a full amenity package and will be entirely surface-parked. The community will offer 3/2, 2/2, 1/1, and studio floor plans. The amenities will include a pool and grill area, a walking and exercise trail, an outdoor exercise studio, a dog park, pickleball courts, shaded areas, and a clubhouse featuring a lounge area, workstations, and a gym.
Ocala South (Ocala, FL)
Ocala South is a ground-up development project that will be situated at the corner of SW 60th Avenue and 52nd Street in The Horse Capital of the World, also known as Ocala, FL. Ocala South is a mixed-product community that will consist of 300 multifamily units and 60 build-to-rent townhome units, complete with a full amenity package. This site is the result of a 2-parcel assemblage totaling 36 acres. The mixed-product community will offer 3/2, 2/2, and 1/1 floor plans. The amenities will include a clubhouse featuring a lounge area and workstations, a pool and grill area, a walking and exercise trail, a "bark park," and pickleball courts.
Cedar Lake Estates (Cocoa, FL)
Cedar Lake Estates is a ground-up development project in Cocoa on Florida's fastest-growing Space Coast. Cedar Lake Estates is a manufactured housing community consisting of 150 single-family homes. This site is the result of a 2-parcel assemblage totaling approximately 58 acres. The community will offer land leases and units for lease, which will consist of 3/2 and 2/2 floor plans. The amenities will include a pool, recreational pavilion, grill/picnic area, and a walking trail. Cedar Lake Estates' homes will be high-quality factory-built residences with washers and dryers, full GE appliance packages, car ports, storage, and privacy fencing.
Canaveral Landing (Cocoa, FL)
Canaveral Landing is a ground-up development project located in Cocoa on Florida's stellar Space Coast. Canaveral Landing is a manufactured housing community consisting of 100 single-family homes. The site is the result of a 2-parcel assemblage totaling approximately 33 acres. The community will offer land leases and units for lease, which will consist of 3/2 and 2/2 floor plans. The amenities will include a conservation area, walking trail, pool, dog park, recreational pavilion, and a grill and picnic area. The homes in Canaveral Landing will be high-quality factory-built residences with washers and dryers, full GE appliance packages, car ports, storage, and privacy fencing.
Giving Back to the Community
The Friendship Grill, situated in the bustling downtown area of Fort Lauderdale, FL, is a community-facing restaurant founded by Dean Myerow, with the support of his business partner Ray Mazzie. This endeavor is an affiliate of the Friendship Circle of Greater Fort Lauderdale, both are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. Dean and Ray, driven by a strong desire to serve their community, envisioned this establishment as a bridge to address a significant local concern. They identified the hurdles individuals with special needs encounter while seeking employment. The Friendship Grill was thus established with a dual mission: (1) to offer a congenial space for people to come together over meals, and (2) to provide a nurturing environment for training individuals with special needs in life skills, easing their path towards gainful employment and a fulfilling life.
The Friendship Grill transcends the conventional restaurant model by intertwining business with social responsibility. The Friendship Grill not only serves as a lively gathering hub in the heart of the city on the bustling Las Olas Blvd., but it also serves as a beacon of community awareness regarding the employment challenges faced by individuals with special needs. Through the Friendship Grill, Dean and Ray are contributing to the community in a way that resonates with the ethos of social responsibility, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity and awareness. This venture reflects a harmonious blend of entrepreneurial spirit and a heartfelt commitment to positive community impact, which Ray and Dean are extremely proud to be a part of. The duo also hosts an annual golf tournament, the Friendship Circle Charity Classic, to increase awareness, raise funds, and enjoy a day of activities with the Friends of the Friendship Grill.
Would you like to discuss a development opportunity?
If you have land in a great location and you're interested in its development potential, then we would like to speak with you about it. We work with many land owners, brokers, and fellow developers in a variety of ways to make a project happen. Please click here to schedule a time to speak with one of our team members if you'd like to learn more about your site's development potential.
831 NE 20th Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(321) 368-0103
www.southernwatersdevelopment.com
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