About

In an effort to address this log jam, Franchise Fixtures was launched in 1985. The company was the first of its kind to source, manufacture or distribute, ship and deliver these critical items to sites around the world so the local general contractor could build the stores without delays which allowed corporate and management personnel to focus on getting the stores or restaurants properly staffed and operationally sound. This consolidation process created more efficiency, lowered construction costs, and reduced staff time spent on purchasing and managing the delivery of all of the products to the locations. It also significantly reduced rent costs because of the speed this method provided for.

Within two years, Franchise Fixtures grew into a multi-million enterprise, with successful distribution of interior packages for expanding chains and food service operations locally, nationally and in western Europe.

With the downturn in the economy in the late 80’s and early 90’s and the closing of stores and restaurants or a slowdown in new openings, FF had to pivot from just fixture provision to construction and retrofitting of existing stores and restaurants. Thus, Design+Build of New York was born. The company took on myriad construction projects, renovating or building residential projects and commercial spaces throughout the east coast. D+B also built out or renovated numerous New York area institutions such as Bowlmor Lanes, Docks Restaurant, EJ’s Luncheonette, Haagen Dazs, Kidstown, M and J Trimming and retrofit work for the Marriot Hotel chain as well as other businesses, many of which still thrive today.

As D+BNY’s presence in the construction space grew, Guberman used cash flow from that work to eventually launch his real estate development operation, Core Development Group. This began with forays into the rehab or ground up construction of residential projects in formerly disregarded or overlooked Brooklyn neighborhoods.

These communities had one thing in common; they were areas that in a way time had forgotten. Core took the risk to undertake development in these communities building multiple ground up high-end condos and rental buildings that were the forerunner of the massive development in these neighborhoods which are now considered prime Brooklyn locales.

Each of these residential Condominium projects pioneered development in downtrodden or industrial neighborhoods that most real estate pundits deemed untenable for high end residential development. Starting with the rehab of a ten family historic building on the edge of Bedford Stuyvesant, in 1992 and the launch of multiple high-end condos in Greenpoint and North Williamsburg beginning in 1999 to the rehab of an old sewing factory at 101 Wykoff street in Bushwick CDG co-developed with Steve Novak and Don Fellner of Graystone Development, Core identified and took the risk of building in one off-market neighborhood after another, finding diamonds in the rough which then became part of the boom of the 2010-2018 development surge in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

In 2003, Core entered the Manhattan market with the development of luxury projects in Union Square and the upper east side. The projects showcased cutting edge design, meticulous craftsmanship and unique custom features. As a result, despite the economic downturn of 2007-2011, these condominium buildings sold out quickly and were lauded by numerous media outlets

With these Manhattan projects, CDG understood the importance of creating lasting impressions for its buyers, whether it was helping them complete their wine cellars with the Crush wine Co, staging their homes with the finest art and furniture from their affiliated brands, or sending them to one of their co-owned New York City restaurants, the experience is memorable, and with the intention of creating long lasting relationships.

Then in 2011, The Guberman Group was launched, encompassing the construction of estate projects in the Hamptons in addition to the companies Guberman already held interest in, including the acclaimed Crush Wine Co, founded and owned by Guberman and his close friends renowned restaurateur Drew Nieporent of Nobu and Myriad Restaurant Group fame and wine aficionado and collector Bobby Schagrin.

In less than a year after the launch, The Guberman Group received accolades as a premier builder in the Hamptons being featured in publications including the New York Times, Hamptons Magazine and The Real Deal.

In 2019, Guberman launched CDG Consulting Division providing support to real estate investors, developers, contractors, attorneys, property owners and Condo/Coop boards.

Having navigated through multiple cycles of strong development followed by economic downturn in his three decades of work, he has developed strategies to maximize profit, manage financial challenges, source funding, provide an objective eye on potential real estate acquisitions and offer another perspective or view, often outside the box, to solve problems. These consulting efforts offer positive strategies to both novice and experienced industry professionals looking for objective advice or guidance. Most importantly, his support draws not just on his successes, but also takes advantage of the hard lessons he learned from his many mistakes to guide and help others to avoid these pitfalls and missteps.