The Sunny Isles Beach City Commission has approved a controversial plan for a 62-story condominium tower by Related Group, Dezer Development, and BH Group. The project, set for the former Miami Beach Club site at 19051 Collins Avenue, drew significant opposition from neighboring residents and generated disagreement among city officials.
The developers had previously acquired the 2-acre 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 project co-developed by Related and Dezer.
Concerns were raised by nearby residents regarding safety and potential impacts on the structural integrity of surrounding buildings. In response, the developers committed to monitoring vibrations and ground subsidence during construction and for one year after completion.
The city agreed to sell development rights valued at more than $26 million to allow for a larger building. Through this transfer of development rights (TDRs), developers will receive an additional 121,000 square feet of floor area ratio but intend to construct fewer units than permitted under zoning rules.
Commissioners Alex Lama, Fabiola Stuyvesant, Jennifer Viscarra, and Mayor Larisa Svechin voted in favor after 10 p.m. on Thursday; commissioner Jerry Joseph was the only dissenting vote. The commission granted both site plan approval and a resolution tied to the TDRs.
“After this leaves tonight, there is nothing that the city can do to protect the residents,” Joseph said in response to suggestions that developers continue negotiating with residents on their concerns.
Stuyvesant questioned whether Mayor Svechin’s support was influenced by developer contributions: “a massive investment” helping get her elected, Stuyvesant said.
Svechin responded that decisions are guided by municipal regulations: “This isn’t about what we personally want,” she said.
Dr. Oliver Drabkin, who lives near the proposed tower site, expressed frustration with city leaders’ positions: “It’s almost like somebody in Oklahoma giving zoning in downtown Manhattan.” He added he felt “betrayed” by the commission.
Owners at Armani/Casa retained attorney Alessandra Stivelman to represent their opposition. Stivelman told The Real Deal earlier this week that Thursday’s meeting was likely the last opportunity for commissioners to act on these plans. She stated that issues such as emergency access and traffic remain unresolved following discussions with developers and referenced ongoing safety concerns in light of past events such as the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside in 2021.
“The developer is giving us a big middle finger,” Stivelman said.
TMB RE Investments LLC is listed as developer for this project. An ownership chart submitted in December 2024 indicates BLFO MBC Member LLC—a Delaware entity owned primarily by Bahamian companies linked to a Brazilian family—holds a 75 percent stake; Related Group (the Pérez family), Dezer Development (the Dezer family), and Isaac and Liat Toledano’s BH own the remaining quarter.
According to filings from developers, construction costs are estimated at around $294 million with an expected completion date of December 2031. Developers are seeking up to five years post-approval for securing permits and another five years from permit issuance for project completion.
Planned amenities include a padel court, pool deck with water features, sculpture garden facing west, as well as a lap pool, outdoor spa, cabanas, and beach access on the east side of the property.
The acquisition process spanned over ten years amid legal disputes involving Miami Beach Club’s condo association. One lawsuit related to prior construction activity next door was dismissed in 2022.
