Rene Bello Transforms South Florida Real Estate Through Architecture and Development

Written by:

Steve Marcinuk

Date:

05 Jun 2025

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“We pride ourselves on our ability to create places and build communities,” says Rene Bello, Founder and CEO of BLDG Ventures, a Miami-based real estate development firm that’s bringing a fresh perspective to South Florida’s evolving landscape.

Born in Cartagena, Colombia, and emigrating to the United States in the early 1990s, Bello’s journey to becoming a developer followed what he calls a “triathlon” path: from architecture studies to construction management, and finally to real estate development. This unique trajectory has given him a holistic vision that many developers lack.

“Not many architects make the jump to real estate development,” Bello explains. “Architecture isn’t really known for its ability to work with finance, law, entitlements, and zoning. All crucial elements in development projects.”

From Collaborative to Development Powerhouse

BLDG Ventures began as something entirely different, a collaborative network among architecture graduates documenting significant buildings across major American cities.

“We thought of it as almost like a living encyclopedia,” Bello recalls. “We wanted to document architecture in a more photogenic way, featuring photographers who could capture the essence of cities through their unique lens.”

This network included outposts in Miami, New York, Chicago, and Boston. As collaborators moved on with their lives, Bello maintained the vision, eventually transforming BLDG from a documentation project into a full-fledged development firm.

Before launching BLDG Ventures, Bello honed his skills at Royal Palm Companies, working on massive mixed-use high-rises and luxury hospitality projects, including a 1,000-acre redevelopment in Puerto Rico featuring a 686-key hotel, 135 timeshares, and 56 condos along the coastline with two golf courses.

Atelier Residences: A New Vision for Urban Living

BLDG Ventures’ flagship project, Atelier Residences Miami, represents Bello’s innovative approach to development. The 10-story, 175,000-square-foot building features 148 short-term rental condominiums with compact 360-square-foot units that owners can either live in or place in a rental pool.

“We’re looking at home ownership in a very different light,” Bello says. “We understand that affordability is a significant concern in the US, with many people getting priced out of the market.”

The name “Atelier,” meaning workshop, perfectly captures the project’s concept: “We conceive these as miniature workshops where creatives, entrepreneurs, and business folks can visit and experience moments of connectivity with other guests.”

Where Wellness Meets Technology

What truly distinguishes Atelier Residences is its focus on health and wellness combined with cutting-edge technology.

“The health and wellness industry is growing to a trillion-dollar industry in the coming years,” Bello notes. This focus extends beyond standard amenities to include red light therapy, IV drip therapy, NAD+ coaching, and personalized wellness programs, all set within what Bello describes as a “luscious garden” pool deck.

Technology is equally central to the project’s identity. “We bill ourselves as Miami’s first AI-powered residences,” Bello explains. Residents will have access to AI-powered wellness coaching and smart home features controlled through a dedicated app, creating a seamless living environment.

Creating Community Beyond the Building

Perhaps most innovative is Atelier’s approach to community engagement. Drawing inspiration from Apple Stores, which function as both retail spaces and community hubs, Bello has designed social spaces that invite interaction with the surrounding neighborhood.

“Our social spaces feature tall, vaulted ceilings and grand openings where we’ll welcome the community,” he says. “Some of our neighbors are Montessori and elementary schools, and we want to tap into that community.”

These spaces will host educational programs on artificial intelligence, coding, and wellness trends, creating what Bello calls “TED Talk-like experiences” that open the development to the broader community.

This community-focused approach is embodied in “Kaya,” the project’s social health and wellness club. “Kaya stands for ‘come as you are,'” Bello explains. “If Kaya is the software, Atelier is the hardware. Connecting the two creates something truly distinctive in the marketplace.”

Global Appeal and Embracing Cryptocurrency

Initially attracting primarily Latin American buyers, Atelier Residences has evolved to draw a more diverse international clientele, with buyers now coming from Germany, Spain, Portugal, and France—markets not traditionally active in South Florida real estate.

BLDG Ventures is also pioneering the acceptance of cryptocurrency payments. “We’re now accepting payments in cryptocurrencies, which I think is a major differentiator,” Bello states. “This allows for borderless transactions, opening our project to the entire world.”

The Future of Development

For Bello, the future of real estate development lies at the intersection of thoughtful design, community engagement, wellness, and technology. By bringing his architectural background to the development process, he’s creating spaces that not only provide housing but foster connection and well-being.

“It’s not just about the flash and bells and whistles,” he emphasizes. “It’s about how it all comes together to create a healthier and more prosperous community.”