WD Capital Group says it has arranged more than $850 million in real estate financings and equity placements since its founding, including about $290 million in 2026. The Miami-based advisory firm points to growing demand for mezzanine debt, preferred equity and other capital sources as senior lenders limit leverage and scrutinize projects more closely.
Key takeaways
- The firm reports more than $850 million in cumulative financings and equity placements.
- About $290 million of that total was arranged in 2026, according to the company.
- Recent assignments include construction loans, mezzanine financing and joint venture equity placements.
- WD Capital says it has more than $300 million in deals in progress and is expanding beyond South Florida.
A range of capital placements
WD Capital’s 2026 assignments include an $85.5 million construction loan for MIRAI Design District in Miami and $101 million in construction financing for a substantially pre-sold resort community in Central Florida. The firm also arranged $50 million in mezzanine financing for a South Florida condominium project, along with joint venture equity placements of $30 million and $24 million for separate developments.
In 2025, the firm arranged a $112 million construction financing for a for-sale condominium development in Broward County and a $35 million equity placement for a closed-end Opportunity Zone vehicle. The projects span residential, resort and investment developments, reflecting the range of transactions the firm says it advises on.
Filling the gap left by senior lenders
The company attributes rising demand for structured capital to cautious underwriting by banks and debt funds. When senior lenders provide less financing than a project requires, developers may seek additional capital through preferred equity, joint ventures, mezzanine debt or family offices. These sources can help fill the middle of a project’s capital stack, though their terms and risk profiles differ from senior loans.
WD Capital says its approach includes reviewing budgets, construction schedules, zoning and projected sales before presenting a transaction to potential capital providers. Co-founder Emile Schachter said the firm aims to test assumptions from both the project sponsor’s and lender’s perspectives. The firm’s other co-founders are Eduardo Pelaez and Alvaro Cardenas.
Family office relationships and growth plans
WD Capital identifies longstanding connections with national and international family offices as a key part of its capital-raising work. Pelaez said those relationships can help match sponsors with investors whose priorities and investment criteria suit a particular project, including during more unsettled market conditions.
Schachter said the firm has more than $300 million in prospective transactions underway and is seeking opportunities beyond South Florida. Founded in Miami, WD Capital advises developers, owners and investors on debt advisory, structured finance and equity placements across South Florida and selected U.S. and international markets.