[2] He is best known as the chairman and CEO of The Related Group, a Miami-based real estate company that has been well known for building and operating affordable and luxury multifamily apartments across the United States and internationally.

[4] Pérez was born October 17, 1949, in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Cuban parents of Spanish origin.

Pérez has owned 50 condo towers in various stages of completion in South Florida, Fort Myers and Las Vegas.

Because of his immense business prowess as a result of his influential presence he commands as a prominent figure in the Florida real estate market, Pérez has been called the "Donald Trump of the Tropics.

[citation needed] He has worked with many well-known designers, architects, and firms, including Philippe Starck, Cesar Pelli, Arquitectonica, David Rockwell, Rem Koolhaas and Karim Rashid.

[14][15][16] Related Group had $2.1 billion in revenue in 2004, putting Pérez at the top of the Hispanic Business 500 during this period of time.

[21] The Related Group opened an office in 2017 in Dallas with plans to build apartments in Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix and other major Texas markets.

[23] Wynwood 25, a partnership between Perez and East End Capital, will deliver 289 rental apartments that will range in size from 400 to 1,200 square feet.

[33] In 2019, Pérez opened a new art space called El Espacio 23 in Miami’s Allapattah neighborhood.

The donation came from the proceeds of the sale of his 10,000-square-foot waterfront estate, known as “Villa Cristina.” The foundation will use the funds to support causes associated with arts, culture, education, and social justice.