Uri Vaknin

OneWorld Properties
Executive

Uri Vaknin is a seasoned real estate professional with a diverse background in residential sales, leasing, marketing, development, and management. Currently, Vaknin serves as an executive with OneWorld Properties, with a focus on projects in both Miami and consulting on projects nationally and in Europe.

Previously, Vaknin held the position of Senior Vice President of Sales, Leasing, and Marketing at Beechwood Homes, one of the largest homebuilders on the East Coast. At Beechwood, he oversaw sales and marketing initiatives for a broad range of developments, including $10M homes in The Hamptons, Long Island’s top high-end rental buildings, a 660-unit Active Adult Community, a 216-home New Urbanist community on Lake Norman, NC, and the largest mixed-use multi-family condo, rental, townhome, and retail development in Chapel Hill, NC, in over two decades. Vaknin led the company’s digital transformation in sales and marketing, positioning Beechwood at the forefront of the industry.

Since March 2014, Vaknin has been a principal at KRE Capital LLC, a private equity firm based in Beverly Hills, CA. In this role, he managed the firm’s largest investment—five condominium properties in Las Vegas, comprising 1,300 units and valued at over $450 million. These properties, which include The Ogden, Juhl, and One Las Vegas, were acquired in partnership with Dune Real Estate Partners under the joint venture DK Las Vegas LLC. Vaknin was responsible for all aspects of asset management, from sales and marketing to leasing operations, design, construction, and investor relations. He successfully transformed these properties from a rental strategy during the recession into some of the fastest-selling condo communities in Las Vegas. Vaknin also serves as Board President of the Juhl HOA, continuing even after the project’s successful sellout, and has been recognized for delivering above-market returns to DK Las Vegas LLC investors.

Vaknin is a prominent figure in the Las Vegas community. As a resident since 2014, he served as vice-chair of the Downtown Vegas Alliance and co-created the annual “Livin’ in the City” event, which promotes the downtown urban lifestyle. He is also a dedicated supporter of the arts, serving on the board of the Nevada Museum of Art. In 2018, Vaknin joined the board of The Neon Museum, one of the country’s most iconic museums. In 2020, he was elected as board chair during a challenging period, successfully guiding the museum through the Covid-19 pandemic, a national social reckoning, and a leadership transition. Under his leadership, the museum achieved full museum accreditation and appointed a new executive director. Vaknin remains actively involved as a board member.

Vaknin’s real estate career began in Atlanta, where he was Senior Vice President at The Marketing Directors from 2007 to 2014. He was selected by the former president of The Condo Store to spearhead new business development and sales, eventually leading the expansion of the company into 21 different markets. Vaknin won the largest condo/mixed-use portfolio listing in the country from ST Residential—an $8B public-private venture with the FDIC and a partnership led by Barry Sternlicht of Starwood Capital.

From 2001 to 2006, Vaknin was also the top sales agent at Coldwell Banker/The Condo Store and in 2006 was ranked #2 in total sales volume in Atlanta. His early career achievements include co-founding the internationally acclaimed Vaknin Schwartz Gallery in Atlanta, which represented high-profile artists and gained significant recognition in the art world. Vaknin is an avid art collector.

In addition to his professional success, Vaknin is passionate about social causes. He served on the board of the Anti-Defamation League, where he received the prestigious Daniel R. Ginsberg National Leadership Award, and he also served for nine years on the Executive Committee of The Names Project—the organization behind The AIDS Memorial Quilt.

Vaknin currently splits his time between homes in South Florida, New York, and Las Vegas.