Four years after the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, families of the 98 victims are still seeking answers and accountability. The investigation into the disaster, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has surpassed $40 million in costs and is expected to take longer than inquiries into other major structural failures, such as the Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse in 2018 and the World Trade Center attacks in 2001.
“It’s been four years, 98 dead. And there’s no answers and no accountability,” Martin Langesfeld, who lost his sister and brother-in-law in the collapse, told Surfside commissioners on Tuesday.
Langesfeld spoke shortly after NIST presented its preliminary findings. According to investigators, evidence indicates that the collapse began at the pool deck area, which started to give way at least seven minutes before the main tower fell. Investigators found that the pool deck did not meet code requirements and that slab reinforcements were not installed as designed. Most construction joints lacked steel reinforcement dowels, and concrete keys in these joints were either improperly constructed or missing. Glenn Bell from NIST explained that these deficiencies could have enabled water intrusion, causing corrosion and cracking in structural reinforcements.
The investigation also highlighted a series of issues observed at Champlain Towers South before the incident. On the night of the collapse, a water leak reportedly escalated rapidly—a detail believed to correspond with a widely circulated video showing water flooding into the building’s underground garage. Other problems included a malfunctioning gate between decks weeks earlier and a sliding glass door coming off its tracks about a month prior. Investigators noted that many of these problems occurred where construction joints were built incorrectly.
NIST initially aimed to release its final report this year but now expects draft reports will be submitted next year.
“We share the public’s desire to have answers,” said Judith Mitrani-Reiser of NIST, “and what we can do to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”
In an official statement, NIST said it “shared from the beginning of this investigation that it would be especially complex, given the lack of any obvious cause, such as a fire or plane crash.”
However, delays continue to frustrate families impacted by the tragedy.
Langesfeld emphasized that while understanding what happened is crucial for improving condo safety across Florida, he believes accountability is also necessary: “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.”
Elsewhere in Miami real estate news: Michael Shvo sold one Miami Beach development site for an amount close to its loan value while working to retain control over other properties including One Soundscape Park.
Former Apple CEO John Sculley sold an oceanfront estate at 1214 North Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach for $37 million through Chestnut Park Holdings LLC.
Developers Michael Stern’s JDS and David Martin’s Terra purchased Bikini Hostel at 1247 West Avenue for $20 million as part of a larger $120 million acquisition including Bay Garden Manor at 1250 West Avenue; they plan to build a waterfront condo tower on those sites.
A mansion at 1610 North Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach—built in 2018 on nearly one acre—is listed for sale at $65 million after last selling for $25.5 million in 2019.
The real estate community recently marked losses with Douglas Elliman agent Darin Tansey found dead at age 50 at his Ritz-Carlton Residences condo in Miami Beach; Danny Zelonker, known for his work in industrial brokerage, died last month at age 75.
