Real Estate ANALYSIS

Hotel Owner Sues Contractor and Architect for $11.7M, Alleging Mold and HVAC Failures at South Beach Property

The owner of a historic Collins Avenue hotel has filed an $11.7 million lawsuit alleging the general contractor and architect of record left the renovated property with mold, missing HVAC controls and water damage that took guest units out of service.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026

Litigation

Condos & HOAs ANALYSIS

Penthouse Owners Sue Developer, Alleging It Promised a Rooftop Terrace It Had No Power to Build

Two Miami Beach condo owners claim a developer promised them a private rooftop terrace, settled a lawsuit over it, then never built it — allegedly knowing all along it lacked authority over the building to do so.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026

Traffic & Transportation NEWS

Lawsuit Alleges Ocean Drive Valet Handed Lamborghini Keys to Stranger Without a Ticket

A Miami-Dade man is suing valet operator Associated Parking Systems after he says an employee handed his Lamborghini Aventador's keys to an unauthorized stranger — while the real owner still held the claim ticket.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026

Arts & Culture ANALYSIS

Commission Approves Art Basel Deal 6-1 as Braman Urges a Better Bargain and Suarez Presses the CEO

Commissioners approved the Art Basel license 6-1 after Norman Braman urged a renegotiation and Commissioner David Suarez pressed CEO Noah Horowitz on the rent cut.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026

Budget

Development NEWS

Commission Kills Raleigh Hotel FAR Increase, Then Revives It Hours Later

The ordinance needed six of seven votes and failed 4–3 after Commissioner David Suarez took about five minutes to cast the deciding no. After the lunch recess, backers used the Sutnick forum to ask for a do-over, and the Mayor and Commissioner Monica Matteo-Salinas switched. It passed 6–1.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026

Planning Infrastructure

Development NEWS

Defendants Fight $100M Deauville Fraud Suit as Judge Opens Key Exhibits

A defense lawyer argues the claims against him expired more than two weeks before the suit was filed; the plaintiff disputes that. Separately, a judge rejected the plaintiff's bid to keep key exhibits confidential, and other defendants are asking to toss parts of the case.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026

Litigation

Government NEWS

Wednesday at City Hall: Water Rates, the Barclay Lease, North Lincoln Lane and a 210-Item Agenda

The Oct. 14 City Commission agenda runs 210 items long and carries more than 90 leftovers from Sept. 10. Here is the day in time order, with links to our coverage of the biggest votes.

Journal Staff Oct 13, 2026

Development ANALYSIS

Commission to Consider FAR Increase for Raleigh Hotel Site as Comp Plan Hearing Returns Oct. 14

Miami Beach commissioners will take up a first-reading ordinance that would raise the maximum floor area ratio for the Raleigh Hotel block on Collins Avenue from 2.0 to 2.5, unlocking roughly 66,400 additional square feet for the under-construction site.

Journal Staff Oct 13, 2026

Development ANALYSIS

City Commission Set to Vote on North Lincoln Lane Concession Deal — With Three Sticking Points Still Unresolved

Miami Beach commissioners will consider a 20-year concession agreement Wednesday that would hand a private developer control over a city-owned alley near Lincoln Road, with disputes over termination rights, parking, and a trademark still open.

Journal Staff Oct 13, 2026

Government ANALYSIS

Art Basel in Line for a Five-Year Renewal, a Fee Cut, and a Formal Zone of Protection

Miami Beach commissioners will consider a five-year deal with Art Basel U.S. Corp. that sets a $500,000 venue fee for 2026, formalizes an "Art Basel Zone" across a large swath of South Beach, and packages $150,000 in annual community contributions.

Journal Staff Oct 12, 2026

Government ANALYSIS

Ten Live Local Items Reach the Commission Wednesday: A Repeal Push, a Possible Lawsuit and a Fight Over What 519 Feet Means

Miami Beach commissioners have ten Live Local Act items on the Oct. 14 agenda: urging Tallahassee to repeal the law, studying a challenge alongside Miami, asking outside counsel whether Five Park's 519 feet sets the height ceiling, endorsing the city's stop on 1575 Alton Road, and asking for a special meeting, a community meeting and utility-capacity reports.

Journal Staff Oct 12, 2026

Planning Housing

Condos & HOAs NEWS

West Avenue Condo Owners Drop Emergency Injunction Bid, Now Seek Money and Removal of Facial Recognition System

Condo owners suing over mandatory facial recognition at Bentley Bay have amended their complaint: the emergency injunction request is gone, replaced by a claim for about $28,000 and an order removing the system. They also say the board approved it in March without a membership vote.

Journal Staff Oct 15, 2026

Litigation