Global Capital Meets the Caribbean: A Conversation with Andrew Farkas
One of the Urban Land Institute Caribbean Engagement Committee’s primary objectives has always been to connect Caribbean leaders with some of the world’s most influential investors, developers, and visionaries. By creating these conversations, AG&T and ULI seek to bring global perspectives to the unique opportunities and challenges facing island economies.
As part of this initiative, Andrew Farkas, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Island Capital Group, joined the ULI Caribbean Roundtable as the keynote luncheon speaker in a conversation moderated by Adam Greenfader, Chairman of the Caribbean Engagement Committee and Chairman of AG&T.
A Pioneer in Modern Real Estate
Andrew Farkas is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of modern institutional real estate investing.
He founded Insignia Financial Group, transforming it into one of the world’s largest publicly traded real estate services companies. Following its merger with CB Richard Ellis (now CBRE), the combined organization became the largest owner and operator of multifamily housing in the United States, managing approximately 275,000 apartment units and more than 200 million square feet of commercial real estate.
Today, through Island Capital Group, Mr. Farkas has built a diversified investment platform spanning hospitality, commercial real estate, financial services, infrastructure, and marine assets.
Its affiliated companies have included C-III Capital Partners, NAI Global, and Island Global Yachting (IGY Marinas)—the world’s leading owner, operator, and developer of luxury marinas, with a portfolio stretching across the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and the Middle East.
Why the Caribbean Matters
Few regions are better positioned to benefit from long-term global trends than the Caribbean.
The discussion explored how hospitality, marinas, mixed-use developments, infrastructure, and experiential real estate continue to attract sophisticated investors seeking destinations with strong long-term fundamentals.
Drawing on decades of investment experience, Mr. Farkas shared insights into what institutional capital looks for when evaluating opportunities, emphasizing the importance of quality sponsorship, disciplined planning, resilient infrastructure, and projects capable of creating lasting economic value.
The conversation also highlighted the growing convergence of hospitality, residential living, wellness, yachting, and lifestyle experiences that increasingly define luxury destinations throughout the Caribbean.
Investing Beyond Buildings
One of the themes that resonated throughout the discussion was that successful development extends beyond physical real estate.
Communities thrive when investment creates jobs, expands opportunity, improves infrastructure, and enhances quality of life.
Mr. Farkas has long supported initiatives that combine commercial success with broader social impact, including affordable housing, environmental stewardship, education, and community development.
His perspective closely aligned with AG&T’s long-standing belief that responsible development should generate both financial returns and lasting benefits for the communities it serves.
AG&T’s Perspective
For AG&T, bringing leaders such as Andrew Farkas to the Caribbean conversation reflects our commitment to connecting regional stakeholders with global expertise.
Over the years, AG&T has organized and moderated discussions with some of the world’s leading investors, hotel executives, financial institutions, government officials, architects, planners, and development professionals.
These conversations are more than industry events. They create opportunities to exchange ideas, strengthen relationships, and introduce global best practices that help shape the future of Caribbean real estate, hospitality, and infrastructure.
As the Caribbean continues to evolve into an increasingly sophisticated investment destination, dialogue between regional leaders and global capital will remain essential.
By fostering those conversations, AG&T continues its mission of helping build a stronger, more resilient, and more prosperous Caribbean.
Some of the questions in this Video:
- Puerto Rico and The Bahamas have been recently devastated by major hurricanes. What impact has this had on your lending?
- Is ESG important to your fund?
- Do you look at a project’s sustainable elements when making funding or acquisition decisions?
- How has the Caribbean region recovered from the COVID pandemic? Do you see any long-term changes to travel, tourism, or hospitality in the Caribbean?
- Do you work with island governments, with local Caribbean banks?
- How important is it for you to have local players as part of your management team or funds?
- IGY announced plans to achieve carbon neutrality at all facilities in the IGY network by 2025.
- Can you explain this program and how you help your guests to participate in carbon offsetting of their own commercial and recreational activities.
- If you could wave your proverbial magic wand for the Caribbean (Puerto Rico) what would you like to see change?