Robert Rivani’s Black Lion Sells Two Trophy Restaurant Spaces In Brickell For $38.25M

Robert Rivani, real estate developer and the founder and CEO of Black Lion, has secured a $38.25 million all-cash deal for two of Miami’s hottest restaurant spaces.

The trophy assets located within SLS Lux Brickell and Dua Miami Hotel (formerly SLS Brickell), were sold in a deal marking one of the most significant hospitality-driven trades of 2025.

The sale follows Black Lion’s January transaction of the CATCH Miami Beach property for $28.2 million, further cementing Rivani’s reputation as one of the most influential players in South Florida’s hospitality market.

The restaurant space at SLS Lux located at 8 SE 8th Street is and will remain leased by GEKKŌ and spans approximately 8,000-square feet of interiors with an additional 3,000-square feet of outdoor dining. Dua Miami Hotel at 1300 S. Miami Ave is currently home to RosaNegra Miami and includes 9,000-square feet of interiors and 4,600-square feet outdoors. The two properties were originally acquired for a combined $23.3 million.

“This is exactly what I envisioned when I made my first move into the Miami market,” said Rivani. “Back when the world hit pause and restaurants were sitting empty during the pandemic, I doubled down because I knew Miami wasn’t just going to bounce back, it was going to boom. We turned vacant spaces into iconic destinations by bringing in the world’s best restaurant brands. These deals are validation of the vision—and now we are taking that same disruptive energy into the office sector with ‘The Rivani’, a Class X project that will redefine the luxury office lifestyle.”

Black Lion was represented in the transaction by Fabio and Sebastian Faerman of FA Commercial, while the buyer was represented by Kevin Waissmann of Fortune Christie’s International Real Estate.

Over the past few years, Rivani has strategically amassed more than $100 million in South Florida real estate, acquiring and now selling off three of the most coveted restaurant properties in Miami. The firm’s current portfolio includes high-profile holdings with tenants including Amara at Paraiso, the upcoming GAIA, the ground-floor commercial space at One Ocean, and the fully leased Wynwood Jungle.

Black Lion’s latest project, The Rivani—a 160,000-square-foot office building at 1691 Michigan Avenue—marks the brand’s bold leap into next-generation commercial real estate. This ‘Class X’ destination will redefine the office experience with luxury hospitality-inspired amenities including a concierge, spa, meditation room, fitness center, salon, café, and an exclusive Japanese restaurant and speakeasy.