Our Story
For twenty years, The Santiago Group has operated on the premise that the luxury real estate client deserves something the industry rarely provides: a broker who knows more about your building than the developer does.
Founder
Marco grew up in Little Havana, the son of a Cuban architect who built residential projects across Dade County. Architecture was dinner-table conversation — floor plans, setback variances, view corridors. By the time Marco was buying his first properties in his late twenties, he already thought like a developer.
He spent his first six years at Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell before opening The Santiago Group in 2004. The move was deliberate: he wanted a team small enough that every client worked directly with a partner-level agent, and a brand singular enough to mean something in the buildings where it mattered most. Fourteen years later, in 2018, the firm affiliated with Compass for its referral network and marketing stack — without changing how the team works.
Twenty years and $6.2B in closed volume later, Marco still attends every buyer consultation personally. His own career volume accounts for $2.1B of the firm’s total.
Meet the full team →
Our History
After six years selling Miami Beach and Coral Gables at Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Marco Santiago founds The Santiago Group as a boutique buyer's advisory focused exclusively on South Florida's ultra-luxury waterfront segment. First year volume: $48M.
The firm earns preferred-agent status at Fisher Island — one of only three brokerages permitted to list directly with island's homeowners association. First Fisher Island closing: $14.2M.
Isabella Reyes and Alejandro Vega join the team. The firm's Bal Harbour condo practice launches, coinciding with the market's post-2014 international buyer surge.
The Santiago Group affiliates with Compass, gaining the national referral network, tech stack, and co-marketing with Compass New Development — while keeping its own team, brand and senior-agent model. Annual volume crosses $200M for the first time.
Miami's pandemic-era relocation wave drives the firm's strongest year on record: $380M in closed transactions, including a $28.5M Fisher Island penthouse and a $22M Coconut Grove estate. Named Miami Herald's #1 Luxury Team.
The firm launches its dedicated pre-construction division, led by Alejandro Vega. Preferred-access agreements signed with COVE Miami, Five Park, and Rivage Bal Harbour. 62 pre-construction units placed in the first 18 months.
Recognition
Media
Client Stories
Every testimonial comes from a verified client transaction. Names and property details published with explicit consent.
Marco and his team sold our Fisher Island penthouse for $2.1M above asking. The marketing was unlike anything we've seen — cinematic video, international buyer outreach, and a strategy that felt completely bespoke.
The Steinberg Family
We relocated from New York with a specific vision: waterfront, modern, under $5M. Alejandro walked us through 12 properties in 3 days and we closed on a Coconut Grove estate. Flawless.
David & Maria C.
We listed our Brickell penthouse with Sofia — she had 6 qualified showings in the first 48 hours. Three offers above asking. Closed in 22 days.
James T.
Private Listing Alerts
Call (305) 555-0194 or send us a message. Marco personally responds to every inquiry within 24 hours.
Prefer to talk it through? Call a senior agent directly:(305) 555-0194