Introduction to the Bal Harbour Beach Battle
Residents in Bal Harbour are suing the owners of their glitzy condo buildings, stating that living conditions have turned dangerous. The three towers that make up “the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort” appear lavish and luxurious at first glance. However, a closer look reveals trouble in paradise.
The State of Disrepair
Exposed rebar, rust, and cracking concrete are just a few of the issues plaguing the resort. Henry Sasson, a resident since 2017, has noticed a deterioration in the condition of the buildings over time. Steven Leoni, a resident and member of the association’s board, points out that the problems are not immediately apparent to visitors. Leoni bought his condo in 2019 and has been working to address the issues.
Unique Challenges of a Condo-Hotel
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort is a condo-hotel, meaning that people who own units spend tens of thousands of dollars in maintenance fees and assessments. However, unlike a regular condominium, they don’t control how most of their money is spent. The buildings are owned by a company in Doha, Qatar, and its South Florida-based subsidiary, Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (Artic).
The Lawsuit
The unit owner’s association is suing Artic and others, alleging that the resort is in a dangerous state of disrepair. The lawsuit claims that there is widespread water intrusion, structural, mechanical, and electrical defects, as well as invasive colonies of mold that pose serious health and safety risks. Juan Morillo, the plaintiff’s attorney, states that it will take tens of millions of dollars to fully remediate the building.
Response from Artic
In a statement to 7Investigates, Artic’s subsidiary, Seldar Miami Holding, LLC, said that the plaintiff is spreading unfounded and exaggerated claims. The company claims that the court is overseeing a process to look into the alleged issues and that they will continue to abide by that direction. They also stated that they take the health, safety, and security of their properties very seriously.
Inspections and Repairs
Both sides have agreed in court to a plan for additional inspections at the towers. However, the question remains as to what will get fixed and who will pay. Marriott International, which manages the resort and owns the “St. Regis” brand, is not part of the lawsuit and has no comment.
Conclusion
The Bal Harbour beach battle is a complex issue that involves multiple parties and millions of dollars. The residents of the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort are fighting for a safe and healthy living environment, while the owners are accused of neglecting maintenance and repairs. The outcome of the lawsuit and the future of the resort remain uncertain.
FAQs
- What is the Bal Harbour beach battle about?
The Bal Harbour beach battle is a lawsuit between the unit owner’s association and the owners of the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, alleging that the resort is in a dangerous state of disrepair. - Who owns the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort?
The resort is owned by Al Rayyan Tourism Investment Company (Artic), a company based in Doha, Qatar, and its South Florida-based subsidiary. - What are the alleged issues with the resort?
The lawsuit claims that there is widespread water intrusion, structural, mechanical, and electrical defects, as well as invasive colonies of mold that pose serious health and safety risks. - How much will it cost to remediate the building?
According to the plaintiff’s attorney, it will take tens of millions of dollars to fully remediate the building. - Is Marriott International involved in the lawsuit?
No, Marriott International, which manages the resort and owns the “St. Regis” brand, is not part of the lawsuit and has no comment.
