JLL Bolsters South Florida Retail Team With Strategic New Hire

JLL announced the addition of Daniel Gardner as Vice President within the company’s South Florida retail brokerage team, further strengthening the firm’s growing retail platform across the region.

Based in Fort Lauderdale, Gardner will focus on both retail tenant and landlord representation, drawing from nearly a decade of experience in retail brokerage and leasing across Florida.

“As South Florida continues to attract top-tier retailers drawn by its strong consumer base and economic momentum, Daniel’s deep market insight and client-first mentality will be a key advantage,” said Dan McGowan, Executive Managing Director and Broker Lead for South Florida at JLL. “His proven expertise in both tenant and landlord representation, along with his experience advising nationally recognized retail brands, will strengthen our ability to deliver strategic, results-driven solutions for our clients.”

Gardner most recently served as Director at Katz & Associates, where he focused on national retail tenant representation across Florida, working with recognized brands including Walmart, Chick-fil-A, ULTA, Five Below, Daiso, Foot Locker, Vitamin Shoppe, Qdoba, and Curaleaf. His role included advising clients on expansion strategy, site selection, lease negotiations, and market analysis. Prior to Katz & Associates, Gardner spent three years at Weingarten Realty which merged with Kimco Realty, one of the nation’s premier REITs.

An active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), Gardner currently serves on the Florida Next Generation Council, where he has participated for the past three years. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville and is a licensed Real Estate Sales Associate in the state of Florida.

With Gardner’s addition, JLL continues to expand its retail brokerage capabilities in South Florida, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to delivering exceptional client service and innovative real estate solutions. As national retailers and businesses increasingly target Florida, particularly South Florida, as a hub for expansion and relocation, Gardner’s market insight and experience will further position JLL to meet the growing demand for strategic, high-impact retail advisory services across the state.