The investigation into the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, continues four years after the tragedy that claimed 98 lives. The probe, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has already cost more than $40 million and is expected to take longer than previous investigations into major structural failures such as the Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse in 2018 and the World Trade Center attacks in 2001.
Martin Langesfeld, who lost his sister and brother-in-law in the disaster, addressed Surfside commissioners this week. “It’s been four years, 98 dead. And there’s no answers and no accountability,” he said.
NIST presented its preliminary findings to local officials on Tuesday. According to Glenn Bell from NIST, evidence indicates that the collapse began at the pool deck area, which started caving in at least seven minutes before the main structure fell. Investigators found that the pool deck’s design did not meet code requirements and slab reinforcements were not installed according to specifications. Most construction joints lacked steel reinforcement dowels, and many concrete “keys” were either improperly built or missing altogether. These deficiencies may have allowed water intrusion leading to corrosion and cracking of slab reinforcements.
Investigators also detailed a series of problems reported at Champlain Towers South before its collapse. Hours prior to the incident, water was seen pouring into the building’s underground garage—a scene captured on video—and weeks earlier a gate between decks jammed while a sliding glass door came off its tracks about a month before. The locations of these issues reportedly align with areas where construction joints were improperly built.
Originally scheduled for release this year, NIST now plans to submit draft reports next year. “We share the public’s desire to have answers,” said Judith Mitrani-Reiser from NIST, “and what we can do to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.” In an official statement, NIST noted it had always anticipated a complex investigation due to “the lack of any obvious cause, such as a fire or plane crash.”
For families affected by the collapse, delays are causing ongoing frustration and pain. Langesfeld emphasized both safety concerns for other condo residents across Florida and accountability for those involved: “This tragedy requires criminal accountability. Who developed and constructed this building? Who approved this building? There are many potential parties that must be investigated,” he told town commissioners. “This was not a natural disaster, this was not a hurricane. This was a preventable human error.”
In related real estate news: Michael Shvo recently sold one Miami Beach development site close to its loan value but is still holding onto another property known as One Soundscape Park; questions remain about future plans for these assets.
In Palm Beach residential sales activity: Former Apple CEO John Sculley sold his oceanfront estate at 1214 North Ocean Boulevard for $37 million through Chestnut Park Holdings LLC.
On the commercial side: The Bikini Hostel at 1247 West Avenue was acquired by JDS Development Group’s Michael Stern and Terra’s David Martin for $20 million as part of a larger $120 million deal including Bay Garden Manor at 1250 West Avenue; developers plan new waterfront condos on these sites.
Elsewhere in Palm Beach luxury listings: A nearly 9,800-square-foot mansion at 1610 North Ocean Boulevard has been listed for $65 million with Margit Brandt of Premier Estate Properties; records show it last changed hands in 2019 for $25.5 million.
The real estate community also mourns recent losses: Douglas Elliman agent Darin Tansey died last week at age 50 in Miami Beach; Danny Zelonker—a commercial broker specializing in industrial properties—passed away in August at age 75.
