Furious millionaires slam developer for destroying gated private paradise island by building huge 91ft high luxury condos that will block out sun

• The residents of Grove Isle are devastated over a new development 
• The new building shields their once-spectacular views 
• Lawsuits allege violations of planning laws, but construction proceeds 

The millionaire residents of a secluded island in Miami say their private paradise has been destroyed, after the city allowed a developer to build a huge 91-foot high, seven-story block of condos that now blots out their waterfront views.

What once offered spectacular vistas of Biscayne Bay and the skyline of downtown Miami has now been blocked by an enormous stadium-like construction of new condominiums, leaving residents in the pre-existing blocks completely in the shade.

Not only that, the way the new block has been constructed with its curved design has created a wind tunnel effect, meaning patio furniture on the neighboring balconies is being blown around. The prices of the original homes are also said to have plummeted by 30 percent.

‘When residents move in over there, they’ll be close enough to see what I’m watching on TV. Or what I’m reading. I’ll be able to see into their bathrooms,’ said Wendy Gordon to the Miami Herald. 

‘We bought a peaceful island lifestyle. It was heaven. It’s gone. This used to be a kind and friendly place. Now everybody hates each other.’

The residents of Grove Isle had fought for ten years to prevent the new condo from being constructed on their private island. 

Indeed, the new building, which they believe to have been illegally constructed, has been built in the exact same location, where a community clubhouse, swimming pool, Tiki hut bar and waterfront restaurant used to stand.

The new luxury building, known as Vita, consisting of seven stories and 65 units, is selling condos for between $2.7 million and $22 million. 

The new owners of Vita will now enjoy the views that the Grove Isle owners, some of whom have lived there for the last 40 years, have enjoyed. The Vita residents will also have ‘thoughtfully curated collection of indoor and outdoor amenities,’ including private elevators, ‘residents-only poolside bar’ and ‘panoramic views’ from ‘wrapped terraces.’

David Schaecter, 94, has lived at the Grove since its construction in the late 1970s.

He and his wife, Sydney, used to enjoy stunning views over the marina and tennis courts, but now their unit sits just 40 feet away from the new apartment block being built.

‘Now we’re staring at a wall of condo units,’ said Schaecter. ‘It’s invasive. We’ll have to keep our shades closed. A neighbor is installing a 6-foot tall hedge on her balcony to block it.’

The residents have filed a lawsuit against the city of Miami, hoping to bring construction to a halt, or possibly see the building downsized – but construction is already well underway with completion expected this winter.

The lawsuit alleges the city broke its own planning laws by granting building permits to Vita’s developers.

‘I don’t see how a judge can do anything other than revoke permits that should never have been issued,’ said attorney David Winker to The Herald.

‘What’s happened on Grove Isle would be like me selling you my backyard casita and then you tear it down and build a big single-family home that doesn’t belong. Or, instead of properly subdividing my land, I could chop it into 10 lots and sell it to people who put up shacks.

‘It’s another example of Miami lawlessness — just let the developer have his way and no one will dare tear it down,’ Winker said.

When the original buildings were constructed in 1979, the address was seen as one of the most exclusive enclaves in Miami, offering a huge amount of privacy, with residents and visitors, having to travel over a bridge from the mainland, out into the bay.

The Miami Herald believes the construction of Vita managed to somehow skirt the city’s usual planning approval process. 

The new condo was the result of a 2020 settlement signed by the developer and Homeowner Association leaders in closed-door negotiations with the Grove Isle homeowners never consulted for their opinion.

‘They bullied and manipulated residents into thinking it was a done deal and this new building was inevitable, so we should just be resigned to it,’ said Elizabeth Tamayo who has lived in the building for 25 years. 

‘I come from [Venezuela] where the rule of law no longer exists. We want the law to be followed. There has got to be accountability or this type of overdevelopment in a city run by developers will continue. It’s time to put a stop to these abuses of power,’ Tamayo said.

‘The HOA dictators betrayed us. They screwed us royally,’ added Schaecter.