The Sunny Isles Beach City Commission has approved plans for a 62-story condominium tower to be developed by Related Group, Dezer Development, and BH Group. The decision comes after significant concerns were raised by neighboring residents about safety and the impact on nearby buildings.
The proposed tower will have 145 units and will be built at 19051 Collins Avenue, on the site of the former Miami Beach Club. The developers acquired this property through a $131.8 million buyout of the existing 108-unit complex. The location is just north of Residences by Armani/Casa, another luxury condo developed by Related and Dezer.
Residents expressed worries about construction risks, including potential impacts on the structural integrity of surrounding buildings. In response, the developers agreed to monitor vibrations and ground subsidence during construction and for one year after completion.
To allow for a larger project, the city agreed to sell development rights valued at more than $26 million to the developers. This transfer gives them an additional 121,000 square feet of floor area ratio; however, they plan to build fewer units than permitted under current zoning.
The commission’s vote took place late Thursday night. Commissioners Alex Lama, Fabiola Stuyvesant, Jennifer Viscarra, and Mayor Larisa Svechin supported the project. Commissioner Jerry Joseph was the only member to vote against it. They granted both site plan approval and a resolution linked to the transfer of development rights.
“After this leaves tonight, there is nothing that the city can do to protect the residents,” said Joseph in response to ongoing discussions about further agreements between developers and residents.
Commissioner Stuyvesant questioned whether Mayor Svechin’s support was influenced by campaign contributions from developers: “a massive investment” helping get her elected.
Svechin responded that her decision followed city regulations: “This isn’t about what we personally want.”
Dr. Oliver Drabkin, a resident living near the planned site, pointed out that none of the commissioners live on that side of Collins Avenue: “It’s almost like somebody in Oklahoma giving zoning in downtown Manhattan.” He said he felt “betrayed” by the commission.
Owners at Residences by Armani/Casa hired attorney Alessandra Stivelman to represent their opposition. Stivelman noted that Thursday’s meeting was likely the final opportunity for public input before approval. She stated that concerns over emergency access and traffic remain unaddressed and cited fears following Surfside’s Champlain Towers South collapse in 2021.
“The developer is giving us a big middle finger,” Stivelman said.
TMB RE Investments LLC is listed as developer for this project. Ownership records show BLFO MBC Member LLC holds a 75 percent stake; this entity is controlled by Bahamian companies tied to a Brazilian family. The remaining shares are owned jointly by Related (the Pérez family), Dezer (the Dezer family), and Isaac and Liat Toledano’s BH Group.
According to their application, construction could cost around $294 million with anticipated completion in December 2031. Developers are seeking up to five years from approval for permitting and another five years from permit issuance for completion.
Plans call for amenities such as a padel court, pool deck with water features, sculpture garden on one side of the property, as well as a lap pool, outdoor spa facilities, cabanas, and beach access on another side.
The acquisition process for Miami Beach Club took more than ten years amid legal disputes involving its condo association and unit owners against Related/Dezer over adjacent construction activity; one such lawsuit was dismissed in 2022.
