Multi-Generational Vision: How the Manoucheri Brothers Are Reshaping Their Family's Real Estate Legacy
When the Manoucheri brothers decided to expand their family’s real estate empire from California to Florida, they executed a carefully planned evolution of their multi-generational success story. As the third generation of a family deeply rooted in multi-family real estate, they’ve launched Manoucheri Brothers with a methodical approach to value-add opportunities in Florida’s most promising markets.
The foundation of their business was laid decades ago when their grandfather, Saeed Manoucheri, and father, Henry Manoucheri, built Universe Holdings into a powerhouse California real estate firm. Today, with over $2 billion in assets under management, this new generation is building its own legacy while maintaining the disciplined investment approach that has served its family for generations.
“I’ve been born and raised in the business. Real estate, specifically multi-family real estate, is everything I’ve ever known,” reflects Aaron Manoucheri, who serves as Chief Operating Officer of Manoucheri Brothers. Having started in the family business at just 16 years old, Aaron’s journey has taken him from managing collections across a 65+ property portfolio in Southern California to spearheading the family’s East Coast expansion. Today, he operates from Long Island, New York, where he collaborates with family offices and ultra-high-net-worth investors while maintaining strong ties to the family’s holdings across California, New Jersey, Florida, and the Middle East.
Each brother brings distinct expertise to the operation: Avi, the CEO with an MBA from NYU Schack, focuses on finance and acquisitions; Yosef heads construction and development; and Aaron oversees operations and relationship building. Their complementary skills have proven crucial to their expansion strategy.
Their investment strategy targets workforce and affordable housing properties from the 1980s through the early 2000s, particularly those affected by mismanagement or constrained by variable rate debt. The firm’s patient, selective approach to acquisitions reflects their long-term perspective on wealth creation.
“Some deals, the last one we bought, which was in Sunrise, took over a year to find. We went through 500-plus multi-family complexes before that deal was sent to us,” Aaron explains. “This business requires tremendous patience, due diligence, and timing.”
The brothers maintain a hands-on approach to operations that distinguishes them from many institutional investors. They’ve built an integrated platform handling acquisitions, construction, and management in-house – a strategy their father impressed upon them early. “My father taught me the business is never rely on third parties,” Aaron notes.
This attention to detail extends to their due diligence process, where they leave no stone unturned. “We’ll tour properties at night… I’ll even dress up at times as a student to verify comps and walk into buildings as an actor,” Aaron reveals, highlighting their unconventional but effective methods.
The family’s expansion into Florida represents both a strategic business decision and a commitment to markets they believe support economic growth and opportunity. While confident in Florida’s future, they remain selective, focusing on high-barrier-to-entry markets where relationships and local knowledge matter as much as capital.
As 2025 begins, the brothers see significant opportunities in their sector, particularly given current market dynamics that have made homeownership increasingly challenging for many Americans. Their workforce housing model aims to provide quality rental housing while pursuing value-add opportunities that benefit both residents and investors.
The Manoucheri brothers exemplify how deep industry knowledge, combined with family values, creates enduring success in real estate. Their measured approach and operational excellence continue to guide their growth as they extend their family’s legacy in Florida’s evolving real estate landscape.
