Two passions came under one roof, albeit recently built, in North Miami Beach on Saturday evening.<\/p>\n
An hour before the five-time World Cup champions kicked off against Morocco, dozens of Brazilians gathered in this plush lobby. Valet parking removed some of the stress fans felt. A projector was mounted and ready in the sales pavilion of 33 story ONE Park Tower by Turnberry. The space was cleared out for chairs and hopefully revelry.<\/p>\n
Daniel Ickowicz, CEO of Elite International Realty, greeted each guest as he or she arrived. Canap\u00e9s and beverages flowed in abundance. Friends or colleagues who hadn\u2019t seen each other in months or years gave warm, tight and long embraces, as only Brazilians know. Some people had only arrived from the country in the past few days or were on short trips.<\/p>\n
Elite, a real estate firm, was formed by Leo Ickowicz, Daniel\u2019s father, in 1994, also the last time the World Cup was held in the U.S. Brazil won that tournament.<\/p>\n
Leo, 79, is still active and involved in the business: he sat in front row. But Daniel, 49 and born in S\u00e3o Paulo, now runs the firm. He has lived in South Florida for 35 years, now based in Aventura.<\/p>\n
South Florida has a bevy of ways for soccer fans to support their teams. Since at least 2010, the father and son have sought to bring clients together by holding World Cup watch parties at new properties, particularly when Brazil plays. It\u2019s the ultimate mixing business with pleasure.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrazilians of course love soccer,\u201d said Uiane Lim, 61, a realtor from S\u00e3o Paulo in attendance. \u201cAlso, they love coming and visiting and investing in Miami,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re showing two beautiful things,\u201d said Isabella Velez, marketing director for Elite, referring to the beautiful game and seeing new buildings.<\/p>\n
This particular watch party \u201cis a way to engage with your clients,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n
Moreover, through the watch parties, \u201cthe customers get to know different areas of the city, not only Brickell,\u201d said Lim, who is also an official FIFA volunteer for this World Cup.<\/p>\n
North Miami Beach is a huge untapped market, she believes.<\/p>\n
Before the start of the match, guests were given tours of the property, taken to the condos, the fitness room and shown the view outside.<\/p>\n
ONE Park Tower, with more than 300 luxury condos, was developed by Jackie Soffer\u2019s firm. Already open, it sits beside Laguna SoL\u00e9, a seven-acre Crystal Lagoon.<\/p>\n
On one of the outdoor decks, a makeshift bar drew a crowd.<\/p>\n
One tap served beer, mainly Stella Artois. The other had two options: one served caipiroskas and the other made caipirinhas. Called Mobile Bar Services, it\u2019s run by 30 year-old Alex Guzman.<\/p>\n
Joao Vicentes Braganeto, a 66-year-old who had just flown in from his home in Manaus, was in line and ordered a beer. Decked in a Brazil jersey, he was in town to close a real estate deal in Orlando.<\/p>\n
He brought some friends. Bernard Teixeira, 37 and also from Manaus came with his girlfriend for a vacation. He doesn\u2019t yet have investments in the U.S. \u201cWe will visit properties but am not looking to invest,\u201d for now, he said.<\/p>\n
Once the match started, the tours of the property stopped and all attention turned to the soccer game.<\/p>\n
The sales pavilion was standing room only, if that. Chants of \u201cVai\u201d periodically erupted. Nerves frayed.<\/p>\n
At halftime, visits of ONE Park Tower resumed. Nerves calmed somewhat. .<\/p>\n
Elite\u2019s approach in the market is to focus more on condos already built, Daniel Ickowicz said. He\u2019s less bullish than others in the real estate market on the many high-rises going up and dotting the Miami skyline, saying \u201cthere\u2019s a lot of inventory.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s skeptical of developers\u2019 common claims that their buildings sell out before even being built.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are condos that were pre-construction years ago, now ready, but not sold out,\u201d said Ickowicz.<\/p>\n
He considers those \u201cgood opportunities.\u201d He thinks now is \u201ca great time to negotiate.\u201d<\/p>\n
He had lots of clients and possible future clients to choose from on Saturday. He said about 80 people showed up. An array of Brazilians were there to support both him and the team.<\/p>\n
Artist Adriana Adelson, from Rio de Janeiro was there. She lives in Aventura and helps Elite\u2019s clients understand art and South Florida\u2019s art scene.<\/p>\n
Sandra Mina, Senior VP – Residential Lending Manager for BB Americas Bank, the U.S. subsidiary of Banco do Brasil, attended. Based in Miami the past 14 years, she helps Elite clients finance their deals.<\/p>\n
Born in S\u00e3o Paulo, she said she came to \u201cwatch the game and work.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is the fourth Word Cup she\u2019s watched with Elite.<\/p>\n
\u201cReal estate is a big interest for Brazilians,\u201d she said. From these events, \u201cyou sometime get deals.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then there\u2019s Mario Caldas, 61, and his wife Marina Pinto, 62.<\/p>\n
Originally from Rio de Janeiro, he\u2019s lived in Miami since 2014.<\/p>\n
While he\u2019s rooting for his Brazil he has a broader vision of this year\u2019s World Cup.<\/p>\n
He served in the Brazilian Army for about 30 years. His highest rank was Colonel. During that time, he served in Haiti, in 2005 as part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was very hard,\u201d he recalls. But \u201cit was a profound experience.\u201d<\/p>\n
He\u2019s hoping Haiti has a good World Cup, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people are so loving,\u201d he remembered. \u201cI love the country\u201d and he wants the team to do well. But how well?<\/p>\n
Haiti\u2019s next match is against his Brazil. Asked if he hopes for a Haiti win or even a draw, he initially contemplated the idea, but then replied, \u201cNo. I\u2019m always going to root for Brazil.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Brazil-Morocco second half eventually started, and the building tours ended.<\/p>\n
Every seat was full. Chants surged.<\/p>\n
Ultimately though, the outcome was not what they hoped.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s typical Brazil,\u201d said Daniel Ickowicz. \u201cWe don\u2019t know what to expect until the first game.\u201d<\/p>\n
That\u2019s because the national team members play for different teams, mostly overseas, he said. It\u2019s only in subsequent group match games that they improve.<\/p>\n
He was pleased with goalkeeper Alisson.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a good feeling this team is going to come together.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cJogo porcaria,\u201d or \u201c[B.S. game]\u201d, Mario Caldas said to Daniel Ickowicz as he departed the property on Saturday night and they embraced.<\/p>\n
But, \u201cQue bom \u00e9 ver voc\u00ea\u201d or \u201cit was good to see you.\u201d That was a sentiment shared by all.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 4:03 PM.<\/p>\n