
Strategic Growth in Urban Real Estate with David Berg
04/17/25 • 26 min
David Berg is a Partner at Infinity Real Estate, where he oversees acquisitions, investment ventures, and the firm’s overall investment strategy. Since joining in 2011 as Investment Director, David has led Infinity’s expansion into the Philadelphia and Miami markets while managing key lender and investor relationships. Under his leadership, the firm is currently developing or repositioning over one million square feet of commercial and residential property.
David has played a central role in shaping Infinity’s growth, executing transactions totaling over $750 million across multifamily, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use assets. His entrepreneurial approach and deep expertise in capital transactions have made him a driving force behind Infinity’s diversified portfolio. Prior to Infinity, he worked at Monday Properties on high-profile Class A office towers, including 230 Park Avenue and an 11-asset portfolio in Rosslyn, Virginia. He also served as Vice President of Acquisitions at Mermelstein Development and began his career in investment banking at JPMorgan and RBC Capital Markets.
A graduate of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, David holds degrees in Finance and Real Estate. He is a Vice President of the Ocean Drive Association, co-chair of the South Beach Business Improvement District, board member of the Washington Avenue BID, and Vice President of the Española Way Association. A lifelong athlete and devoted supporter of the ASPCA and Jewish National Fund, David lives in Miami Beach with his wife Maya, their son Elijah, and their dog Roux.
Insights from David Berg on Scaling, Strategy, and Urban Market Expansion
David Berg shares how personal roots and deep local networks have shaped Infinity Real Estate’s expansion into Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Miami. Markets where on-the-ground experience and community alignment have led to successful redevelopment strategies. He explains how Infinity identifies value in historic properties, avoids the “dumb tax” of new market entry, and remains responsive to shifting dynamics through a nimble, entrepreneurial approach.
In this episode, David also discusses Infinity’s return to New York City’s retail sector and why today’s volatility is creating compelling opportunities for disciplined, contrarian investors. He offers a candid look at how he manages the emotional demands of high-stakes development, and shares the personal routines that help him stay grounded, focused, and effective in a constantly evolving industry.
1:30 – David’s roots and path to real estate
4:15 – Early career moves
7:00 – Joining Infinity Real Estate and the firm’s early focus on workforce housing in D.C.
9:45 – Strategic expansion into Philly and Miami
12:00 – The Clay Hotel project and how COVID catalyzed a move to Miami
14:50 – Community involvement and leadership in Miami Beach redevelopment
17:10 – The Garden Court Towers project in West Philly and Infinity’s preservation-first approach
19:45 – Why Infinity is re-entering the NY market after nearly a decade
22:10 – Managing stress, staying agile, and how Infinity builds a resilient team culture
Mentioned In Strategic Growth in Urban Real Estate with David Berg
Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at [email protected] to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.
Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:
- Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
- Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
- Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
- Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)
David Berg is a Partner at Infinity Real Estate, where he oversees acquisitions, investment ventures, and the firm’s overall investment strategy. Since joining in 2011 as Investment Director, David has led Infinity’s expansion into the Philadelphia and Miami markets while managing key lender and investor relationships. Under his leadership, the firm is currently developing or repositioning over one million square feet of commercial and residential property.
David has played a central role in shaping Infinity’s growth, executing transactions totaling over $750 million across multifamily, retail, hospitality, and mixed-use assets. His entrepreneurial approach and deep expertise in capital transactions have made him a driving force behind Infinity’s diversified portfolio. Prior to Infinity, he worked at Monday Properties on high-profile Class A office towers, including 230 Park Avenue and an 11-asset portfolio in Rosslyn, Virginia. He also served as Vice President of Acquisitions at Mermelstein Development and began his career in investment banking at JPMorgan and RBC Capital Markets.
A graduate of Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, David holds degrees in Finance and Real Estate. He is a Vice President of the Ocean Drive Association, co-chair of the South Beach Business Improvement District, board member of the Washington Avenue BID, and Vice President of the Española Way Association. A lifelong athlete and devoted supporter of the ASPCA and Jewish National Fund, David lives in Miami Beach with his wife Maya, their son Elijah, and their dog Roux.
Insights from David Berg on Scaling, Strategy, and Urban Market Expansion
David Berg shares how personal roots and deep local networks have shaped Infinity Real Estate’s expansion into Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Miami. Markets where on-the-ground experience and community alignment have led to successful redevelopment strategies. He explains how Infinity identifies value in historic properties, avoids the “dumb tax” of new market entry, and remains responsive to shifting dynamics through a nimble, entrepreneurial approach.
In this episode, David also discusses Infinity’s return to New York City’s retail sector and why today’s volatility is creating compelling opportunities for disciplined, contrarian investors. He offers a candid look at how he manages the emotional demands of high-stakes development, and shares the personal routines that help him stay grounded, focused, and effective in a constantly evolving industry.
1:30 – David’s roots and path to real estate
4:15 – Early career moves
7:00 – Joining Infinity Real Estate and the firm’s early focus on workforce housing in D.C.
9:45 – Strategic expansion into Philly and Miami
12:00 – The Clay Hotel project and how COVID catalyzed a move to Miami
14:50 – Community involvement and leadership in Miami Beach redevelopment
17:10 – The Garden Court Towers project in West Philly and Infinity’s preservation-first approach
19:45 – Why Infinity is re-entering the NY market after nearly a decade
22:10 – Managing stress, staying agile, and how Infinity builds a resilient team culture
Mentioned In Strategic Growth in Urban Real Estate with David Berg
Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at [email protected] to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.
Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:
- Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
- Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
- Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
- Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)
Previous Episode

Scaling Smart Real Estate Development with Avner Krohn
Avner Krohn is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Jasko Development, a vertically integrated real estate development firm based in New Britain, Connecticut. Under his leadership, Jasko has delivered a wide range of projects across the multifamily, healthcare, and retail sectors—focused primarily on underserved urban cores in the Northeast.
Avner launched his entrepreneurial career at age 10 and has since spent more than two decades working across real estate development, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse. With deep expertise in finance, public-private partnerships, and ground-up construction, Avner has led the development of over 400 residential units and commercial properties, with another 500+ units currently in pre-development.
He is widely respected for his ability to navigate the complex intersection of development, government, and community needs. Avner is also an advocate for mission-aligned growth, integrating long-term public benefit with investor returns.
Insights from Avner Krohn on Public-Private Partnerships in Real Estate Development
With a background that bridges entrepreneurial grit and large-scale execution, Avner Krohn brings a rare blend of strategic insight and real-world experience to the commercial real estate space. His vertically integrated firm, Jasko Development, has carved out a niche working with municipalities to unlock challenging projects that others overlook.
In this episode of The Dealmakers’ Edge, Aaron Strauss speaks with Avner about the real dynamics of public-private partnerships, from how to build trust with city officials to structuring deals that actually pencil in tough markets. Avner also shares how he’s scaled a lean but powerful team, why mindset matters more than market timing, and what keeps him grounded through the ups and downs of development.
2:13 – Avner’s early days: entrepreneurship at age 10 and launching his first business
5:45 – Lessons from Israel, building a foundation in real estate and finance outside the traditional path
8:58 – First deal in Brooklyn and the road to larger-scale development
13:35 – Structuring turnkey solutions for the healthcare and retail sectors
16:12 – The anatomy of public-private partnerships and why most developers miss the mark
20:43 – What municipalities actually need (and how to earn their trust)
24:01 – Managing a growing business while staying present with a young family
26:47 – How Avner balances optimism with realism in turbulent markets
Mentioned In Scaling Smart Real Estate Development with Avner Krohn
Jasko Development | LinkedIn | Avner Krohn
Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at [email protected] to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.
Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:
- Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
- Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
- Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
- Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)
Next Episode

Leadership Lessons for Dealmakers with Elise Holtzman
Elise Holtzman is the CEO of The Lawyer’s Edge®, an executive coaching and consulting firm where she and her team have spent over 16 years helping law firms build thriving businesses by transforming lawyers into better business developers and leaders. A former practicing attorney, Elise brings first-hand knowledge of the legal profession’s demands and a strategic focus on rainmaking, leadership, and visibility.
Elise is the creator of the Lawyers Making Rain® program and the Ignite Women’s Business Development Accelerator, both designed to help attorneys at all levels grow their impact and client base. She is also the host of The Lawyer’s Edge podcast and a frequent speaker for law firms and bar associations. Her insights have been featured in Law.com, Law360, and other leading legal publications.
She holds a B.A. in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Columbia Law School, where she served as a senior editor of the Columbia Law Review. She is currently Vice President of the Columbia Law School Association. Before launching The Lawyer’s Edge, Elise practiced commercial real estate law at Fried Frank and Morgan Lewis.
Insights from Elise Holtzman on Developing Rainmakers and Leaders
Elise Holtzman joins The Dealmakers’ Edge to share practical leadership insights tailored for high-performing professionals in commercial real estate and beyond. A former Biglaw attorney turned executive coach, Elise now helps professionals elevate their leadership, grow their visibility, and develop sustainable business development strategies.
In this episode, she and host Aaron Strauss explore how top performers can create intentional growth, avoid burnout, and evolve into impactful leaders. From rethinking productivity to building a culture of strategic delegation, Elise offers a powerful framework for dealmakers looking to lead with clarity and purpose.
0:27 – Meet Elise Holtzman and her journey from Biglaw to leadership coaching
3:32 – Common struggles high achievers face beyond technical execution
5:22 – Early signs of burnout and how they show up in professionals
7:10 – Using “act one and act two” to create presence and personal balance
10:06 – Lessons from mentors and models of sustainable success
12:47 – The role of self-awareness in avoiding burnout and staying aligned
17:16 – Shifting from doer to leader and learning to let go
22:47 – Why intentional reflection drives growth and innovation
Mentioned In Leadership Lessons for Dealmakers with Elise Holtzman
The Lawyer’s Edge | Podcast | LinkedIn
Enjoy the show? Have a guest in mind? Email us at [email protected] to let us know your feedback and who you want to hear on the next episode.
Connect with Aaron and the A.Y. Strauss team:
- Our website (www.AYStrauss.com)
- Aaron's website bio page (Aaron's bio page)
- Aaron's LinkedIn account (LinkedIn)
- Our Twitter account (@AYStrauss)
The Dealmakers’ Edge with A.Y. Strauss - Strategic Growth in Urban Real Estate with David Berg
Transcript
Aaron Strauss: You're listening to The Dealmakers’ Edge with A.Y. Strauss, diving deep into stories behind commercial real estate leaders.
Hello, everyone, and welcome to The Dealmakers’ Edge. Today, we are really excited to be joined by my good friend Dave Berg. He's a partner at Infinity Real Estate. Dave oversees the firm’s acquisitions, investment ventures, and overall strategy, helping to grow their expanding portfolio.
Since he joined in 2011, he’s led the firm’s ex
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