Meet the Broker

Robert Ziehm  

Founder & CEO 

 

A Trailblazer in Real Estate and Investment

Robert Ziehm is an accomplished real estate broker, investor, and entrepreneur with a career spanning nearly three decades in Florida’s competitive property market. As the founder and principal broker of Sterling Equity Realty, Ziehm has played a pivotal role in facilitating over $2 billion in real estate transactions, earning a reputation as a trusted authority in both residential and commercial sectors.

 

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born in Berlin, Germany, Robert Ziehm studied business administration at Freie Universität Berlin. In the late 1980s, he relocated to Miami to pursue a career in fashion modeling. By the early 1990s, Ziehm transitioned into the hospitality industry, successfully owning and operating several prominent nightlife and entertainment venues.

 

During this period, Ziehm discovered his talent for market research and data analysis. His ability to identify emerging trends and lucrative investment opportunities led him to shift his focus to real estate—a move that would ultimately define his career.

 

Establishing Sterling Equity Realty

In 2009, Robert Ziehm founded Sterling Equity Realty, a boutique brokerage firm specializing in residential and commercial properties, development sales, business brokerage, and consulting services. Under Ziehm’s visionary leadership, the firm rapidly grew, assembling a dedicated team of 38 real estate professionals with deep expertise in Florida’s dynamic property market.

 

With a client-centric approach, Sterling Equity Realty has built a strong reputation for delivering tailored strategies to meet the unique goals of investors, developers, and homeowners. Operating from the historic Sterling Building on Lincoln Road in Miami Beach, the firm has cultivated strategic alliances with industry leaders, including real estate attorneys, title companies, mortgage lenders, architects, and developers.

 

Notable Achievements

Robert Ziehm’s career is marked by several high-profile successes. Following the foreclosure crisis, Ziehm managed a multi-million-dollar opportunity fund that included industry heavyweight Ricardo Dunin of Lionheart Capital, known for The Ritz-Carlton Residences and Domusprojects. In the fund’s inaugural year, Ziehm was recognized as the second most successful bidder in Dade County by total dollar volume.

 

An early investor in Miami’s Wynwood neighborhood, Ziehm played a significant role in the area’s transformation. He co-designed an innovative eight-story container hotel concept that gained city approval and was ultimately sold to The Related Group for development.

 

In 2015, Sterling Equity Realty represented the 36 owners of the Surf House Condominium in Surfside, successfully brokering a $55 million bulk buyout and condominium termination. The firm also played a key role in representing prominent investor Moishe Mana, closing $300 million of his $500 million real estate portfolio in Downtown Miami.

 

In 2012, Sterling Equity Realty gained national recognition when it was featured in The New York Times for its involvement in the record-breaking $25 million sale of the Continuum’s penthouse, previously owned by the Birkenstock family — a historic achievement as the highest-priced condominium sale in Florida at the time.

 

Ziehm was also the exclusive listing broker for tennis legend Steffi Graf’s waterfront home on Hibiscus Island during her family’s residency in Miami, ultimately securing a successful sale to a London-based investment banker.

 

Leadership and Influence

As a hands-on mentor and managing broker, Robert Ziehm remains deeply involved in supporting his team of agents, ensuring they are equipped with the insights and skills necessary to excel in the competitive real estate landscape. His extensive network, which includes influential developers, politicians, and industry leaders, enables Ziehm to facilitate complex transactions and identify exclusive investment opportunities.

 

Through his strategic vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and extensive knowledge of real estate markets, Robert Ziehm has established himself as a leading force in Florida’s property landscape, solidifying Sterling Equity Realty as a trusted partner for clients seeking expert guidance and exceptional results.