To some, he is a one man wonder:
But to those who know him well
Thomas Kramer is just TK.
As an innovative multitasker, TK is always working on multiple projects.
One of TK’s recent jewels, is his real estate brokerage firm TK International Realty that utilizes his vast network of friends & business contacts to buy, rent and invest in commercial and residential real estate in Miami Beach and beyond.
Internationally TK is working on several large -scale projects:
- A major mixed use tower project in Germany
- Another is a mega development in Brazil, containing Five Star Hotels, high end residential towers and luxury shopping
- Pre-development stages in the Middle East
- Software design of future application for the real estate brokerage community
- First hand knowledge of Miami’s social scene, allows Thomas to explore his own app development
On the warmer side, TK loves to be in his kitchen on Star Island, cooking gourmet meals for his family and friends and hatching up his own blend of spices and recipes.
TK strongly believes that cooking is a vehicle of love, that feeds the soul and transcends all boundaries, while providing the nutrients for the brain to grow.
Childhood and Teenage Years
TK was born 1957, in Frankfurt, Germany.
Growing up, TK learned from his father, who was a successful market maker on the biggest german stock exchange.
At the age of thirteen, TK become the editor & founder of “Pausenzeichen”, a monthly school newspaper.
This forum allowed him to readily express his conservative political views to a wider audience.
This venue eventually let to TK’s invitation to speak at an international political conference in California, where Thomas was the only pro- American foreign speaker out of 500 international delegates.
TK’s pro-American stance was embraced by the Republicans in the audience.
One notable republican was California’s governor Ronald Reagan, who befriended TK at the ripe age of fifteen and later invited him to his presidential inauguration.
Wall Street and Financial Success
Proud of his political service TK decided to apply his high energy level to more lucrative endeavors.
Which at the time included Wall Street’s fast evolving lightly regulated financial instruments, where TK’s visions were handsomely rewarded.
Rising to the pinnacle of capitalism, he shared space on the 102nd floor with Shearson American Express at the World Trade Center.
Perching from the 102nd floor, TK witnessed how the southern tip of Manhattan grew from a landfill into Battery Park Plaza, a high end mix use office and trading floors and residential high rise development.
These Skyscrapers grew out of nowhere to become a vibrant neighborhood.
This massive mixed use development greatly inspired TK.
In1987, TK as a Visionary predicted one of the biggest stock market crashes of all time.
That event earned TK a nickname “Wunderkind of the Financial Markets” and made him a prominent public figure with credibility.
TK achieved personal happiness by meeting the love of his life, Catherine Burda –an heir to the Bruda media and publishing conglomerate.
Catherine and TK married in New York City in 1989.
While the couple was shopping for their dream apartment in New York City TK was looking for a unique property with a big kitchen, spacious his & hers closets and bathrooms.
At the time other high end developers explained to TK why it was impossible to sell his ideas of luxurious and spacious living to an average buyer; he politely agreed to disagree.
This experience pushed Thomas to plan and develop his unique high end residential concepts.
Early 1992 TK took a helicopter ride around Miami Beach’s South Pointe and was struck by its similarity to the tip of Manhattan.
This provided the foundation of his vision for the redevelopment of South Beach.
TK moved to Miami to pursue this dream into today’s reality, he assembled and redeveloped the old heart of Miami Beach, transforming it into on of the premier tourist and residential neighborhoods in the world.
Development of South Pointe and Revamping of Star Island
By building his dream into a realty, TK was instrumental in the revitalization of Miami Beach.
Some notable examples are as follows:
That jump-started the biggest surge of upscale development in Florida.
Concurrently, he redeveloped Star Island an old man made island, used to watch boat races into the premier island for residential houses in the United States. He quickly assembled a majority interest in the island and was able to see his visions come true!
Today the island boasts these famous residents:
Gloria and Emilio Estefan
Naomi Campbell & Vladislav Doronin
Lisa and Donald J. Pliner
In 1992, TK became the proud father of the baby girl named Joya.
In 1995, TK amicably divorced his wife Catherine.
After which Thomas decided to change his life and rise again like the Phoenix.
The old TK is back and better than ever. He is applying his vast experience and knowledge to new deals.
Happily living with his grown daughter Joya on Star Island, he is working on expanding his very own TK brand.
He hopes that his motivation, his vision and his success will inspire people for many years to come.
His life’s work are an inspiration to others and he is happy to help others grow with him.
- Metropolitan Dade County Appreciation Award (2002)
- Golden Key to the City (2002)
- Association for Retarded Citizens Award (2002)
- Lincoln Theatre Appreciation Award (1998; 1997)
- Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, Trustee Membership (1996)
- South Beach Latin Chamber of Commerce (October 1996; 1995)
- Miami Beach Police Athletic League (1995; 1992)
- Miami Beach Police Department Appreciation Award (March 1994)
- The City of Miami Beach Appreciation Award (February 1993)
Miami Beach Development Corporation (January 1993)
“Scheingefechte” – Süddeutsche Zeitung (Germany), July 9, 2011
“Visionary or Villain?” – Sun Post, May 26, 2011
“No Party Rentals in Miami Beach? Really?” – New York Times, April 5, 2011
“Kramer Profits Big” – The Daily Business Review, July 18, 2001
“A Changing Portfolio” – The Miami Herald, November 28, 2000
“The Man Who Made South Pointe” – Ocean Drive Magazine, January 1999
gracieabrams
theartofmadeline
romaincrisis
amandla
kianamaiart
izzy806
andulkaphoto
titsay
stormborns