Miami Beach Reflections

Al Malnik Made Miami
By: Haute Living on July 6th, 2007

Al Malnik brought Miami to the main stage with style and sophistication, now he invites you home.
By Kamal Hotchandani & Megan O’Neil
Photography by Reynaldo Ales

Al Malnik knows Miami. And, it’s safe to say, Miami is a world-class city, in large part, because of him. A devoted businessman, family man and philanthropist, Malnik has left his mark on one of the greatest cities in the world

Al Malnik brought Miami to the main stage with style and sophistication, now he invites you home.

By Kamal Hotchandani & Megan O’Neil
Photography by Reynaldo Ales

Al Malnik Is Miami Beach

Al Malnik knows Miami. And, it’s safe to say, Miami is a world-class city, in large part, because of him. A devoted businessman, family man and philanthropist, Malnik has left his mark on much of the Miami Beach landscape since he moved here in 1956. From his world-renowned restaurant, The Forge, his creation known in its heyday as the stomping grounds of the Rat Pack and other legendary characters, to his extremely generous support of local charitable organizations such as the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Jackson Memorial Hospital and Mt. Sinai Hospital, it is obvious that Malnik likes to make things happen. And, when he does, no one can top him.

His success as a restaurateur, a major consumer loan lender and an entertainment lawyer to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr., Dean Martin and Jackie Gleason are well documented and testament to his unrivaled clout and reputation. But, few know that this prominent South Florida figure is a self-made, private, humble and deeply spiritual patriarch of an ever-growing family-his wife, Nancy, recently gave birth to twins rounding out his brood at 10-with an eye for design, a passion for art and a love for good home-cooked meals.

Driving up to the entrance of the Beaux Arts Mansion, Malnik’s 35,000-square-foot Palm Beach residence, it appears that F. Scott Fitzgerald could have had it in mind as he penned The Great Gatsby. It is a breathtaking feat, a modern-day nod to the historical Beaux Art style, helmed by the athletic Malnik himself.

“I have always wanted to create a Beaux Art house,” Malnik confides energetically. “l love to build. I love to complete my eclectic taste.”

Malnik is a passionate collector. A hobby-turned-obsession when he was a young law student, collecting provided a vehicle for him to amass value and wealth while writing his own history through celebrated objects. It started with stained glass but today, everything from art-a cast-away Picasso hangs behind a guest bathroom door and unique Roy Caruthers pieces are displayed throughout the house-to wine-thousands of Jeroboams and Methusalis of Margaux, Petrus and Rothchilds sit in his multilevel wine cellar-to antiques-the third pool table ever built by Brunswick stands next to two enormous mirrors from the Carnegie Mansion in New York-has a special niche at the Beaux Art Mansion.

“My philosophy,” Malnik explains of his approach to antiques, “is to buy art…that is irreplaceable because the craft no longer exists as it did when it was made. They need to be individual and unique.”

Individual and unique are themes that run throughout Malnik’s home, largely due to his masterful coupling of seemingly disparate elements from the classic to the contemporary. Touring through his collection, the suave and handsome Malnik seems to channel Old Blue Eyes himself as he glides from room to room unveiling his favored pieces. His dining room is an unexpected treasure trove. Featuring a stunning 1860-dining room set emblazoned with the Cartier seal (a little known fact: the esteemed jeweler was an accomplished furniture maker, he also designed Malnik’s alabaster clock fireplace) from the Cartier family estate in Switzerland paired with Russian Beaux Art candelabras and a solid-gold candle holder, a gift from Saudi Arabian Prince Abdul Aziz, the room is the picture perfect marriage of styles.

“The house is replete with all different types of things,” Malnik admits with a charming grin, “yet it all seems to work together. Others might say that it is lunacy but it is a turn on for me.”

Mixing things up has been a recurring agenda for the St. Louis, Missouri native not only in décor but also in business and in philanthropy. “I started out as a renegade,” Malnik admits, “I always did what I wanted, represented people when I practiced law that many people told me, ‘you’re just going to ruin your career’ and perhaps they were right. But, I always felt I needed to do what I wanted to do.”

And today, the tireless Malnik is collaborating with noted businessman Jordan Zimmerman and record executive Steve Rifkin to develop Kids Block, an educational entertainment project for children buttressed by hip-hop music, created by the talented and famous record producers, Poke & Tone. The venture will include a weekly television show and several other satellite components.

“It’s an updated Sesame Street,” Malnik enthuses. “Very hip. Very urban. Very today.”

Hip, urban and today. These words could also be used to describe Malnik’s other business endeavors. Joining his “eleventh son”, film director Brett Ratner of Rush Hour and X-Men: The Last Stand fame, Malnik’s professed next phase will be an exploration of opportunities in the entertainment industry.

But, despite his many business dealings, Malnik remains deeply committed to supporting causes and charities that make a difference in people’s lives. Sometimes, those people are very close to home. Malnik and his beautiful wife Nancy had been involved with the Make-A-Wish foundation long before they had children of their own.

“They literally bring the child back to life by granting a wish,” the grateful Malnik remarks. “They really do. We saw it.”

Three years ago, one of their triplets, Jarod, was diagnosed with leukemia and was admitted into St. Mary’s Hospital for six months while he underwent chemotherapy. Luckily, Jarod has been in remission for almost three years now and is a happy healthy 8-year-old boy but during his hospitalization, Malnik observed Make-A-Wish in action. They brought hope and happiness to all of the kids in the pediatric-cancer wing including Jarod. “It was fantastic,” he enthuses.

Splitting his philanthropic energies among children’s causes, religious-based charities and other worthwhile organizations, Malnik is proud of his charitable work. Currently, he is setting up a foundation that will specialize in seeking out deserving causes to be the recipients of his generosity so that donations like his current gift to the Jackson Memorial Hospital, in honor of the late chairman and his dear friend Jay Weiss, are a regular occurrence.

Although Malnik fondly recalls the days of Miami Beach past, he is enamored of Miami Beach today. “I have seen the beach go through all of these different phases and I mean it is certainly in its glory now,” Malnik says. “It is just absolutely phenomenal. Beyond what I could ever envision would happen to Miami Beach.”

That said, the seasoned resident recognizes that Miami Beach is still in its infancy and is therefore vulnerable to the cycles of real estate. “The real-estate market here is quite amazing,” he explains. “When times seem that there is no limit to the upside, you marvel at how quickly values have escalated and how quickly the escalated values of real estate are selling…and then, it just seems like a combination of factors occur and one day it all wipes out and fortunately that is only temporary.”

Luckily for Malnik, he sold most of his real estate last year when the market began to get shaky and although the crumbling market troubles him, he admits, “I felt good that I sold when I did.” But, Malnik has not lost faith and believes that like all things, real estate in Miami will rebound. The question is, “when?”

Until then, Malnik, who is in fantastic shape thanks to his daily workouts, is happy adding an extension to his home for his children that will include a tennis court, a basketball court and a football field in the backyard. It will also house an Asian gallery in the lower level complete with prehistoric mammoth tusks and awe-inspiring pieces made of jade and agate.

“It’s great to be at a place in life,” admits the contented Malnik as his toddlers’ laughter echoes in the background, “where you do what you please and you become accustomed to your own shoes.”

Alvin Malnik has worked hard to get to this place. A self-made man who has proved repeatedly that if you put your mind to something, the sky and beyond is the limit. But, unlike many, Malnik takes his success in stride. Enjoys it without gloating and his humility is perhaps one of his greatest achievements.

“I consider myself not particularly noteworthy,” Malnik smiles. “To be honest with you, and I know this may sound a little bit funny, but I’ve kind of grown into my life so, I am used to it. I don’t really consider myself or what I have or what I do to be very unusual.”

Unusual indeed. And, remarkable. And, inspiring. And, historic. His is a life in a movie, one that everyone is dying to watch, that he both directs and stars in just as he sees fit. His purpose is singular and pointed. “My primary legacy,” Malnik confides, “is I want all of my children to have a footing in life. To be proud of themselves. Be proud of their family. To grow spiritually, intellectually and economically.” Leaning back and smiling, he continues, “I am very proud of all of my family.” Well, it is fairly certain, that they are very proud of him too. And, the legacy continues.

Message From The President of The University of Miami

Dear Alvin Malnik (Grand Founder)

Please join with me in celebrating our generous benefactors— those alumni, friends, parents, corporations, and foundations who believe in the potential of the University of Miami. It is a pleasure to offer my deepest thanks for your collaboration, dedication, and support of our many initiatives. Our donors have contributed immeasurably in making the University of Miami a world-class institution. From the Coral Gables campus to the School of Medicine to the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science on Virginia Key, in partnership with all of you, the University has emerged in just 76 years as a major research institution. We serve many communities—local, regional, national, and international— by confronting critical concerns in the areas of health care, the environment, engineering, business, and law, among others. In this increasingly complicated world, it is our challenge to respond with innovation, interpretation, and solutions to the next generation of issues. Recently, we have broken ground on the Marta and L. Austin Weeks Music Library and Technology Center; established the Batchelor Children’s Research Institute—devoted exclusively to improving the quality of life for children; com- pleted the Frances L. Wolfson School of Communication Building; and opened Casa Bacardi, a first-of-its-kind Cuban cultural center dedicated to fostering an understanding of Cuba’s past, present, and future. At the beginning of the new year, we introduced our new Convocation Center. In just the past three years, more than 100 new endowments have been created, providing a substantial investment in not only our current students, but those of future generations as well. Your generous support has had a significant impact on the advances we have made. Your involvement is essential to our success. We are most grateful for your participation in our progress. On behalf of the University of Miami, our students, faculty, physicians, researchers, and staff—thank you!
Warm regards.

Sincerely,

Donna E. Shalala President

Behind The Mask
The Private Life Of Michael Jackson

As told to Stephanie Wilson (Haute Living) by Alvin Malnik
Photo By Tatijana Shoan

As soon as the untimely and sudden death of superstar Michael Jackson hit the airwaves, the rumors began flying. From the highly suspicious to the utterly ludicrous, falsehoods spread through the media like wildfire. Michael Jackson—a superstar with unmatched talent and charisma, a national treasure under a glaring global spotlight from the time he was 10 years old—was an incredibly private person. And though millions revered the man behind the pop-king mask, few really knew him. Al Malnik, the famous and legendary lawyer, businessman, and restaurateur whom Haute Living referred to as a “Living Legend” during our cover profile in the January/February 2007 Miami edition, was one of the few people whom Michael trusted wholeheartedly. In fact, Malnik is the godfather of Michael’s youngest son, Blanket, a piece of reality that got twisted and misconstrued in the weeks following his death. The rumor mill warped the truth so much that it was claimed that Malnik was actually the biological father of Blanket—a completely fabricated falsehood. Malnik appeared on The Today Show to answer the claims, which he called a “Ripley event,” considering he didn’t meet Blanket until he was one year old. Speaking out for only the second time since Michael’s passing, Al Malnik shares his personal history with Michael Jackson with Haute Living in hopes of setting the record straight about the private life of this public figure.

I first met Michael about nine years ago. I was told that he had heard about me and was interested in meeting, and in particular wanted to request a tour of my house in Palm Beach. Michael was an architecture buff, and he had admired the property from afar. He was in L.A. at the time, and expressed interest in discussing several different  business ideas and plans. He finally asked [director] Brett Ratner, whom I refer to as my 11th son, to call me and ask to meet with him. I initially said no because I was not a fan, so I really didn’t see the point in inviting him to come over and entertain him. When I told my wife Nancy about it, she raised holy hell! She said, “Are you kidding? Michael Jackson! I grew up with him! His posters were on my wall! You have to let him come over, I want to meet him.” So to please her, I invited him to the house, and from that first meeting we all developed a beautiful friendship. Throughout the past decade or so, Michael would come and stay at the house quite a bit, sometimes with the children, and sometimes alone. It was an extraordinary time. Michael was an amazing houseguest because he really didn’t require any attention. He liked to clean his own room and make his own bed, and he taught his kids to do that, too, much to our amazement. Michael soon became close friends with my son Shareef, along with Brett Ratner and Chris Tucker. The four of them spent a great deal of time together at our house, always having a ball, filled with a lot of laughs. I also have triplets that are around the same age as Michael’s two older children, Prince and Paris, who are 12 and 11 now. We would travel often with Michael and the family, going down to Acapulco or other family vacation spots. We also have fond memories of our times out at Neverland Ranch. The most important bungalow there is called the Elizabeth Taylor suite, which is where we stayed. The first night, he had Elizabeth Taylor herself call me, welcoming me to her suite at Neverland Ranch! The kids, of course, loved Neverland; they went around with Michael’s children and saw the zoo and rode the train. It was such a magical time. One year, at a birthday party that Nancy was having for the triplets, Michael came to the theater and surprised not only us, but the birthday guests as well. Everyone thought it was a Michael Jackson impersonator. They couldn’t believe it was really him! Come to think of it, some of the people may still think it was a lookalike. All of our children spent a lot of time together, and Michael’s children especially enjoyed it. When they were with us, they were able to go out with Nancy and I and our family and not be haggled. They didn’t have to wear their veils because no one knew who they were. When they spent time with us they got to experience normal situations that were lacking in their daily lives, like visiting St. Andrew’s school or going to the movies. When they were with my family, they literally were able to take off the masks and no one bothered them. Michael was able to do the same. We worked to create everyday experiences for him, like going shopping. One time we rented out a Publix supermarket so that he could do what ordinary people do on a regular basis.

Michael was able to relax when he was with us and let his guard down. We live on the beach, and he and I would go down to the water together after the sun went down where he was just an ordinary guy, kicking his feet in the surf. When it comes to my history with Blanket, Michael asked me to be Blanket’s godfather when the boy was a year old. My relationship with Blanket is limited, because he was just a baby at the time, and I did not really participate in his upbringing. But I think that in the event something happened, Michael really wanted me to be a sort of safety net. He wanted to know that I would be willing to raise Blanket as though he were one of my own children, and that’s what the legal document says. I haven’t spoken with the family since Michael’s passing. I am not used to being in the media spotlight so when the stories came out, I was shocked. I know if I go to the funeral, the press will besiege me again. So instead, our family will just pray for Michael, and wish him bon voyage from this Earth. Our family loved Mi-chael very much, and we will always be respectful, and always extend our hand of friendship to any of his children, should they ever need our help. Michael had such an amazing energy and such talent. He was always composing new songs and singing them a cappella. One day, he was walking around the house in his pajamas, singing some new pieces that he was working on. He was walking up one set of stairs, and then down another. I asked him, “What are you doing?” He said, “I’m doing two songs at once! I am walking up this set doing one song, and when I walk down the other, I do the other song.” He could write a song in five minutes, it was unbelievable. I know he did end up recording some of these new songs. He planned on making his comeback by doing an outrageous concert tour, starting in Europe and ending in the United States. At the same time, he wanted to simultaneously publish some of the new albums that he had been working on while he was staying at our house—all new, never-been-heard stuff. He was so excited to do this tour, so prepared for it. One of our friends who had seen his rehearsal one or two nights before his death, called me and said, “You ought to come out and see Michael before he does his concert. He is unbelievable. It’s like you have never seen him before.” I did have the opportunity to see him perform before, at our house. While visiting, he asked if we could get him a portable dance floor, so of course we did. When I saw him move around on that floor, I was wowed. I had never seen anything like it. I knew he was unbelievable, and it’s nice to know that five years later, he was equally impressive. It was great fun in those days, but we also shared some hard times. I helped Michael out financially in a lot of different areas when he needed it. At that time, we managed to resolve all of his financial problems. After that period, which was after I had paid for his bail when he was arrested, I felt it was not in our best family interest to spend all of the time that was required to get Michael on the right track again, because at that point he had capable people around him. And, of course, geography was a big problem because Michael’s business interests are essentially in California or out of New York or Europe. I really just didn’t have the time to continue to devote myself to trying to resolve the many considerations that were in his life. The last time I saw Michael was right before his trial, although we spoke many times after that. He was a bit meaner at that time; he was so furious and so disappointed at the charges being hurled at him. He swore to me that he was absolutely innocent of each and every charge that was made against him. And that’s the way it turned out. I think the legacy of Michael Jackson will endure for many years to come. Ultimately, the negativity surrounding him in the press will dissipate. He will be more acknowledged and respected for the musical genius that he demonstrated, and that legacy will survive our decade and the ones to come. Our children will rediscover Michael Jackson again many years from now, and be amazed that he created the music that he did, the style of dancing that he did, and more importantly, the wonderful charisma that he generated.

When Brett Ratner offered to take the cover photos of “Living Legend” Al Malnik and his son Shareef, we couldn’t have been more honored. A long-time family friend, Al often refers to Ratner as his 11th son, and he even helped get the billion-dollar director his start in his film career. Ratner, an accomplished photographer, headed to the Malnik estate in Palm Beach for a photo shoot that captured the compelling father-son dynamic of Al and Shareef. A legendary lawyer, entrepreneur, and restaurateur, Al is the mastermind behind culinary institution The Forge, which dominated the haute dining scene for decades as the place on Miami Beach. Shareef took over the restaurant in 1991, and the establishment continued its reign. Now, Shareef is taking this proven formula and expanding on a global scale. While the Miami location is closed in July for multimillion-dollar renovations, hungry patrons looking for The Forge’s inimitable steaks can satisfy their cravings at The Forge Dubai, located in the Ottoman Palace Hotel, and there are also talks about a Forge Las Vegas. The Malniks are also actively involved in the betterment of the community, working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Al recently made headlines when false rumors about the paternity of Michael Jackson’s youngest son Blanket started flying. Al is the boy’s godfather, and some were questioning if he was the actual father. Al went to two media sources to refute these claims: The Today Show and Haute Living. He opened up to our publication for the cover story of the Los Angeles edition (the article also appears in this issue), sharing personal family photos and details about intimate moments with the star, and we were happy to be able to provide a worthy outlet for his memories.

No other performer in history has won more awards than Michael Jackson. His artistry and talent are unequaled and his numerous awards prove that. Most people only know Michael Jackson as the legend. Al Malnik and his family knew Michael Jackson as the friend, Michael Jackson as the father, and Michael Jackson as the man behind the legend.

Al and Nancy’s triplets played happily with Prince and Paris at the family’s Oceanside home, a far cry from the rumored isolation the Jackson children were falsely reported to live in. “The relationship our family had with Michael, and the one that I had with him, was really extraordinary,” said Al Malnik. “We were very close, always talking with each other, and having a lot of fun with our mutual families.” While at the Malnik’s home, Michael Jackson and his three children were able to feel free and secure enough to do the things any father and his children would normally do without the pressures of public life. They celebrated birthdays, put on plays, and just simply got to be kids, free from herds of paparazzi or crowds of Michael’s fans. “The Jackson’s were ideal houseguests,” Al recalls of Michael and his children. “When they came, I asked my staff if they would need to work harder with three more kids in the house.  They said there isn’t any extra effort. Michael’s kids clean their own rooms, make up their beds, polish the mirrors and take care of everything. Each and every morning, their first chore after breakfast was to clean their room. When I mentioned it to Michael, he simply replied, ‘that’s the way I bring up my kids.’”  Al Malnik and his family will forever treasure the times when Michael Jackson and his children would come to visit them at their “home away from home”. “Every day, our backyard was their playground,” says Al of Jackson and his children. “Michael just enjoyed himself so much with our children. It was the kind of imaginary fun people used to dream about going to Neverland and experiencing.”

Al and Nancy once arranged for a late-night shopping expedition at a local supermarket, a routine task made impossible for Michael and his children due to his popularity. To make the experience as realistic as possible, the Malnik’s asked some of their friends to act as fellow shoppers, completely ignoring Michael as he happily shopped. During their friendship, Jackson even chartered a private plane to travel to South Florida to surprise Al at his 70th birthday party, where Michael sat with Al at the head table and welcomed Al’s guests, including B.B. King, Smokey Robinson, F. Lee Bailey and celebrity lawyer Roy Black.

Michael gave special thanks to Al in the liner notes on his Greatest Hits CD, and the two signed a document in 2003 in which Al swears to raise Blanket (Prince Michael II) as his own. ”I guess in 2003 or 2004, he (Michael) asked me if anything ever happened to him, if I would become godfather and parent to Prince Michael,” he told reporter Lisa Petrillo. “So I signed a document at that time agreeing to bring up Blanket in the event anything happened to him.” Michael, in turn, became the godfather of Al and Nancy’s daughter, Spencer. The Malnik family will always remember the wonderful times they shared with Michael, Paris, Prince and Blanket at their home. “It was a magical time for all of us. Thank God we have it on video. We’ll never forget him. We’ll love Michael always.”

Mr. Miami Beach, The Famous Forge Family and the Magazine Maven honored! The masses of fans flocked to the Loews Miami Beach Hotel to witness these luminaries recognized for their contributions to the community at the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce 85th Annual Dinner Gala.

Close to 800 well-wishers along with the evening’s emcee attorney Mark Eiglarsh, the Miami Beach Chamber’s Chairman of the Board Sanford Horwitz and President and CEO Wendy Kallergis turned out to applaud the 2007 Dinner Gala Honorees. Local luminaries and The Forge restaurant owners Al Malnik and his son Shareef Malnik were honored as Citizens of the Year for their tireless dedication to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Malnik’s video tribute featured congrats from celebrity pals including Jackie Chan, Chris Tucker, Sharon Stone, Shaqulle O’Neal and Martha Stewart. Social Affairs magazine publisher Norma Quintero received the Jan Pfeiffer Distinguished Service Award for her generous charitable work with such organizations as The Vizcayans, United Way and The American Red Cross, City of Miami Beach Tourism and Convention.

Director and Chief of Protocal for The City of Miami Beach Michael Aller aka “Mr. Miami Beach” was presented with the Leonard “Doc” Baker Lifetime Achievement Award for his countless contributions to the community. In true Aller fashion, his friends and colleagues participated in a hilarious video tribute including many people whose lives he’s touched in a spoof of the popular TVshow “The Office”. Popular Heat D lrie, salsa legends Carlos Oliva y Los Sobrinos del Ju?? and Gospel queen Maryel Epps kept the hip crowd rocking all night. Oh and get this…you can still bid on an amazing item online from this gala through Tuesday, March 13th. Up for grabs in a Miami Beach package boasting a two night stay in the Presidential Suite at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel with champagne on arrival, a daily breakfast for two at the hotel, a poolside cabana for two, and a Bouche Brothers Watersports Package. The winner will be whisked away on a limousine ride to and from dinner and may invite friends for dinner at The Forge where Ocean Drive magazine will capture the night for an upcoming issue. The package also includes Sunday Brunch for two at Emerils to top of the weekend.

In some 500 bars, restaurants and servicemen’s clubs throughout the U.S., the center of attention these days is a monstrous new machine called Scopitone. It is a cross between a jukebox and TV. For 250 a throw, Scopitone projects any one of 36 musical movies on a 26-in. screen, flooding the premises with delirious color and hi-fi scooby-ooby-doo for three whole minutes. It makes a sobering combination.

Rights to Scopitone for the U.S. and South and Central America were snapped up for $5,000 last year by Alvin I. Malnik, 31, a Miami Beach attorney, who will soon start distributing machines manufactured in Chicago. He already has installed them in New York, San Francisco, Las Vegas and dozens of military bases, and has a backlog of 2,500 orders. If Malnik has his way, every public place from the hoitiest cocktail lounge to the toitiest pizza parlor will be swinging to musies, all of which are eventually to be produced by Malnik himself. Meanwhile, Scopitone screens are filled by French films. One typical Gallic offering, El Gato Montés, captures the jollity of the annual Pamplona fiesta with trumpet playing, flamenco dancing and the shrieks of small boys being gored by rampaging bulls in the streets.

The production possibilities of Scopitone films make their promoter sound like Cecil B. DeMalnik. “Take Hello, Dolly! ” he says, eyes moist with enthusiasm. “Maybe we’d have an actress getting down from a train in a little hick town, and, you know, she’s Dolly coming back—I really don’t know the rest of the words—but then there’d probably be some people meeting her, dancing along. There’s just no end to the storybook film devices we can prepare.” Just for a start, he might try My Funny Ballantine, Tea for Tuborg, and Music to Cry in Your Beer By.