SURFSIDE, Fla. — A developer based in Dubai has announced plans to construct a luxurious 12-story condominium on the site of the tragic Champlain Towers South, which partially collapsed in June 2021, resulting in the deaths of 98 individuals. DAMAC International revealed on Tuesday that the new project, named The Delmore, has already begun construction and is expected to be completed by 2029.
The newly proposed building, designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid Architects, will feature staggered floors and house 37 exclusive “mansions” with units averaging 7,000 square feet in size. Pricing for the four- to five-bedroom units will commence at $15 million, further enhanced by amenities such as a private restaurant, residential butlers, a wellness spa, and various resort-style facilities, according to company statements.
Jeffery Rossely, a senior vice president at DAMAC International, emphasized the commitment to delivering a unique ultra-luxury product to the South Florida market that surpasses anything previously seen in the area. Notably, the company’s announcement made no references to the tragic event that preceded their development.
In the aftermath of the June 2021 disaster, which saw the 12-story, 136-unit building collapse with a loud noise, leaving behind devastation and a massive debris field, it marked one of the most catastrophic structural failures in the history of the United States. Only three individuals—two teenagers and one woman—managed to survive the incident, while others escaped the building’s other standing sections.
In 2023, a legal settlement exceeding $1 billion was approved by a judge for the victims of the Champlain Towers South collapse. This sum comes from a variety of 37 sources, including insurance firms and engineering companies, along with a neighboring luxury condominium whose recent construction is thought to have contributed to infrastructural deterioration. None of these parties have admitted to any fault.
An ongoing investigation by the National Institute of Standards and Technology is still exploring the root causes behind the collapse. Early findings reported that investigators shared with an advisory panel indicated that some of the steel-reinforced concrete columns in Champlain Towers South exhibited strength levels at about 50% of what was required according to the building standards of 1980. Corrosion of the steel in those columns was found to be moderate to severe, further undermining their integrity.
Additionally, investigators substantiated eyewitness accounts indicating that the pool deck fell into the garage several minutes before the main collapse of the building occurred.
The Champlain Towers South had a notorious history of maintenance issues, compounded by poor construction practices from the early 1980s. Considerations regarding sea level rise attributed to climate change and damage from saltwater intrusion may also be influencing factors in the investigation.
In response to the tragedy, legislation was enacted by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis requiring condominium associations for buildings with three or more stories to produce inspection reports that assess structural integrity, maintenance needs, and expected repair or renovation costs. These regulations aim to ensure that associations maintain adequate reserves for extensive repairs and conduct reserve evaluations every decade. Following the introduction of this law, older condominium complexes, particularly prevalent in South Florida, are facing significant increases in association fees to bolster reserves and address impending repair costs.
