Shoma Group has emerged as one of the most influential real estate developers in South Florida, known for its ambitious projects that blend luxury living with commercial innovation. Over decades, the company has transformed raw land into thriving communities, navigating economic cycles, legal challenges, and market shifts with resilience.
This detailed examination explores the firm’s journey, operations, controversies, and future trajectory, drawing on public records, industry reports, and market data to provide a balanced, fact-based perspective.
Project Introduction (Formation & Background)
Shoma Group was launched in 1988 by Masoud Shojaee, an Iranian immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1978 at the age of 17. With limited resources but a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Shojaee began his career in construction shortly after settling in Miami.
His first significant venture came at age 24 with a 48-home development in Kendall called Kendall Best 2, developed in partnership with an experienced local builder. This early success provided the foundation for Shoma Group overview, marking the start of a trajectory that would see the firm grow into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.
The Shoma Group history is rooted in single-family home construction during Miami’s post-1980s boom. Shojaee’s initial capital came from family connections in Iran, where his father was a developer. In 1988, he acquired over 200 lots in Sunset Harbour from a partner cashing out, building homes on them with a small team of 10 employees.
Subsequent deals scaled rapidly: 237 lots on Northwest 6th Street for nearly $9 million, followed by a $6 million government auction for 1,000 lots in Tamiami 4 and 5, spanning 220 acres. These projects alone delivered hundreds of homes, establishing Shoma Group’s reputation for efficient land development and quality builds in emerging suburbs.
By the early 1990s, Shoma Group expanded beyond residential into townhomes and early mixed-use concepts, adapting to Florida’s diversifying real estate landscape. The firm’s initial vision centered on affordable yet aspirational housing for Miami’s growing middle class, emphasizing proximity to employment hubs like Doral and Hialeah. Over 35 years, Shoma Group development history reflects a pivot to luxury, driven by South Florida’s influx of international buyers and urban revitalization.
Today, with over $6 billion in completed Shoma Group real estate transactions, the company has delivered more than 11,000 homes, one million square feet of commercial space, and flagship mixed-use destinations.
The Shoma Group founders—Masoud Shojaee and later Stephanie Shojaee—embodied this evolution. Masoud’s hands-on approach, from site selection to construction oversight, built the operational backbone. Stephanie’s entry in marketing roles introduced consumer-focused branding, aligning with Shoma Group luxury brand aspirations.
Their 2019 marriage solidified a power duo dynamic, enabling strategic exits totaling $650 million in recent years. This background underscores a vision of community-centric growth, where Shoma Group South Florida focus has consistently targeted high-growth corridors.
Expanding on the early years, Shojaee’s pre-Shoma ventures included joint efforts like Grand Lakes ($300 million deal) and Miramar ($400 million sale), which funded diversification. By 2000, Shoma Group residential projects dominated, but commercial forays like retail pads emerged.
The 2008 financial crisis tested resilience; Shoma weathered it by shifting to rentals, completing projects like Park Square and The Flats. Post-recession, luxury condos became central, with Shoma Group Miami condos leading sales in preconstruction phases.
This formative period set precedents for Shoma Group property acquisition strategies: opportunistic buys in undervalued areas, government auctions, and partnerships. For instance, Tamiami developments not only generated revenue but established supply chains with local contractors, a model repeated in later Shoma Group South Florida projects.
The firm’s growth mirrored Miami’s transformation from suburban sprawl to global hotspot, positioning Shoma as a key player in waterfront condos and urban infill.
Management and Project Head
Shoma Group headquarters is located at 201 Sevilla Avenue, Suite 300, in Coral Gables, Florida—Shoma Group Coral Gables HQ. This strategic spot offers easy access to Miami’s financial district, airports, and development sites, facilitating oversight of a sprawling portfolio. The office embodies efficiency, housing sales teams, architects, and executives who coordinate across 10+ active projects.
At the helm is Masoud Shojaee, Shoma Group Masoud Shojaee, serving as CEO and Chairman. With 40+ years in real estate, his track record spans single-family homes to billion-dollar mixed-use. Previous successes include CityPlace Doral, a 2,000-unit master-planned community, and Doral View apartments. Financial links include U.S. institutional lenders; a notable $30 million pre-development loan from 2025 funded Shoma Bay expansions.
Stephanie Shojaee, Shoma Group Stephanie Shojaee, as President, oversees marketing, sales, and operations. Her pre-Shoma career in branding boosted Shoma Group luxury developments, achieving 30% profit margins through targeted campaigns. Together, they form the core management, with Florida corporate filings listing them as authorized members of Shoma Group LLC. No formal board is publicly detailed, but key lieutenants include project managers from early Tamiami builds, now elevated to VP roles.
Their reputation as Shoma Group real estate professionals is mixed: praised for visionary timing but critiqued in legal contexts. Masoud’s empire-building—from 10 employees to 59—relies on vertical integration, controlling design-build processes. Stephanie’s media presence, including Real Housewives of Miami, enhances visibility, though it draws personal scrutiny. Financially, annual revenue hovers at $18.7 million, with $29.9 million in funding and a $16.4 million valuation estimate.
Management philosophy emphasizes innovation: Shoma Group market sectors include residential (70%), commercial (20%), and rentals (10%). Decision-making is centralized, with Masoud handling acquisitions and Stephanie sales. This duo’s synergy drove Shoma Group portfolio growth to 65+ projects, including ongoing ones like Sanctuary Doral and Shoma Bazaar.
Shoma Group Portfolio
The Shoma Group portfolio exemplifies diversification across Shoma Group residential projects, Shoma Group commercial builds, and hybrid models. Core holdings feature Shoma Group Miami condos like Shoma Group Ten30 South Beach, a 2022 boutique low-rise with units priced $566,000 to $1.9 million, boasting ocean views and resort amenities.
Shoma Group Shoma Bay project in Shoma Group North Bay Village stands as a flagship: originally 333 units, expanded to 376 across 28 stories post-2025 approvals. Groundbreaking occurred in 2024, with completion eyed for late 2026. Amenities include a bayfront pool, fitness center, and Publix-anchored retail via Shoma Group Publix partnership. Priced from $750,000, it targets upsizing families with studios to 2,700 sq ft layouts, including a Shojaee family penthouse.
Other notables: CityPlace Doral (prestigious master-planned), Park Square, One Park Square at Doral, and Shoma Village (Hialeah mixed-use, $200 million). Shoma Group waterfront condos like Eleven on Lenox (Miami Beach townhomes with rooftop features) highlight luxury. Commercial builds include Shoma Retail and Shoma One (sold 2025 for $35 million after $34 million acquisition). Shoma Group transactions total billions, with $650 million in recent exits.
Shoma Group luxury developments emphasize high-end finishes: smart homes, spas, and green spaces. Shoma Group South Florida projects cluster in Doral, Hialeah, and North Bay Village, capitalizing on infrastructure like Metrorail. While Shoma Group Dubai collaboration was announced in 2025 with Cosmo Developments and Reportage Group for UAE ventures, execution details remain Phase Two. This $650 million Shoma Bay infusion marks international expansion.
Portfolio depth includes 10 active sites: Shoma Bazaar, Sanctuary Doral, and three undisclosed. Historical Shoma Group real estate transaction volumes underscore scale—$5-6 billion completed, with rentals like The Manor stabilizing cash flow.
Controversies & Scandals
Shoma Group construction defects allegations peaked in 2024 with the Ten30 South Beach Condo Association lawsuit, claiming structural issues post-2022 handover. Filed in Miami-Dade courts, it seeks unspecified damages for repairs, spotlighting rushed luxury timelines. Shoma Group condo lawsuits extend to a 2023 reinstated $10 million judgment against affiliates and 2025 Suffolk Construction v. Shoma Village Apartments enforcement.
Personal scandals involve Masoud’s 2024 deposition in a suit by his daughters over asset divisions, probing Shoma Group bank accounts and transfers. No fraud findings, but it revealed family tensions amid $650 million sales. Stephanie’s reality TV role amplified scrutiny.
Shoma Group suspicious real estate deal perceptions stem from Miami’s cash-heavy market. With Shoma Group foreign investors driving 51% luxury sales, patterns evoke FinCEN concerns, though no direct probes. Shoma Group high-risk sector exposure invites questions on Shoma Group client verification and source of funds.
These issues haven’t halted operations but impacted perceptions. Sales continue strong, yet litigation costs strain resources. Industry analysts note defects as cyclical in Florida’s humid climate, not unique to Shoma.
Money Laundering Activities
U.S. real estate, including Shoma Group luxury developments, faces scrutiny as a high-risk sector for laundering. Shoma Group transactions show all-cash prevalence (53.5% for $1M+ properties), aligning with Miami’s #1 foreign buyer status (49% preconstruction).
No confirmed Shoma Group layering (money laundering stage) via shells, but anonymous LLCs obscure beneficial ownership transparency. Shoma Group AML compliance follows voluntary guidelines; realtors under FinCEN GTOs report cash deals over $300,000, yet enforcement gaps persist. Shoma Group source of funds in foreign cash fits patterns flagged in GFI’s $2.3 billion estimate (2015-2020).
As Shoma Group real estate professionals, executives conduct risk assessment, but U.S. lacks mandatory agent licensing for AML. Shoma Group client verification relies on title firms; no violations recorded. Critics highlight opacity enabling nominee buys, though Shoma emphasizes legitimate investors.
International Links & Benefited Countries
Shoma Group foreign investors from Latin America, Europe, Middle East, and UAE bolster sales. 2025 Dubai partnership with Cosmo and Reportage ($650 million Shoma Bay) signals UAE benefits, with Phase Two UAE projects importing Miami models.
Cross-border flows support South Florida GDP via $ billions in taxes/jobs. Masoud’s heritage suggests Middle East ties, indirectly aiding high-risk jurisdictions per global reports.
Regulatory Actions & Legal Proceedings
No FATF/FIA actions; FinCEN GTOs (2016+) indirectly apply. Civil suits dominate: Ten30 defects, Shoma One sale post-litigation. 2026 DOJ fraud case against peers highlights risks, Shoma unaffected.
Public Impact & Market Reaction
Shoma Group South Florida projects elevate values (Doral +20% post-CityPlace), create jobs (thousands), but defects dent trust. Investors praise amenities; market rebounds with 2026 sales.
Operational as of 2026: Shoma Bay rising (Feb update), Dubai ventures launching. Experts forecast $1B+ pipeline growth, tempered by legal overhangs. Resilience positions Shoma for Miami’s boom.
