Peter Kanavos: Leading efforts to revitalize the east end of Lincoln Road

Peter Kanavos started in import-export and shipping. Based in Athens, Rome and Africa, he worked on four continents before returning to the US and founding Flag Development with his brothers. The company built thousands of residential units on Florida’s West Coast, eventually focusing on luxury hotel and commercial development in Las Vegas, Orlando, Miami and New York. 

In the late 1990s, Mr. Kanavos and his brother used their connections to bring Miami Beach’s first five-star luxury hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, to the city when the Beach was transitioning from a rougher era. 

Currently, Mr. Kanavos is leading an effort to re-urbanize Miami Beach’s city center, focusing on east Lincoln Road. Plans and funding for the 100 block are in motion. He is putting together a coalition to provide affordable housing, pedestrianize and revitalize blighted streets, reverse the population drain and create a sustainable mixed-use environment for Lincoln Road. 

Mr. Kanavos has another dimension: He is a multi-award-winning author. His books, both fictional and nonfictional, deal with the nature of consciousness and address topics of human origin, destiny and purpose from both scientific and spiritual viewpoints. The books have garnered 34 national and international literary awards for originality, writing and entertainment value. 

Mr. Kanavos said he believes the principles he discusses in his books have contributed to his business success by orienting him to think about development projects as a multifaceted, holistic endeavor.

Mr. Kanavos spoke with Miami Today reporter Genevieve Bowen.  

Miami Today publishes a Book of Leaders every year. This book is a compilation of all The Achievers profiled in every edition. 

The information in this book is available nowhere else – the stories of the women and men who are shaping the development of Greater Miami.