Dubai Developer Closes On $120M Purchase Of Surfside Collapse Site

The Rubble Of Champlain Towers South In Surfside, Florida, After It Collapsed In 2021.

The site of the Surfside, Florida, condo tower that collapsed and killed 98 people is under new ownership.

Dubai-based developer Damac Properties has closed on its acquisition of 8777 Collins Ave., where the Champlain Towers once stood, for $120M, The Real Deal reports, citing court documents filed by the condo association’s court-appointed receiver.

The money from the sale will go toward paying the $1.02B settlement Miami-Dade County Judge Michael Hanzman awarded to the families of the deceased and survivors of the June 24, 2021, collapse. Funds from the acquisition have been placed in a trust.

Developer Hussain Sajwani’s firm was the only bidder in the public auction for the site after emerging last year as a stalking-horse bidder. Avison Young managed the sale process on behalf of the court receiver, while Damac was represented by Jeff Cohen and Vivian Diamond of Brown Harris Stevens, TRD reports.

Damac Properties looks to build a Cavalli-branded luxury condo development on the former Champlain Towers site, although more details on the property haven't been released.

Damac has built tens of thousands of units in its native Dubai and forged a partnership with former President Donald Trump on a branded golf course — a partnership Sajwani affirmed even after the Jan. 6 insurrection, when most real estate firms distanced themselves from the developer-turned-politician.

“We fully understand the emotions surrounding the site and wish to approach the development with full consideration of the community’s benefit," Damac spokesperson Niall McLoughlin told TRD last year when discussing the company's interest in a new project.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's South Florida Newsletters
Related Stories

Miami Retail Construction Pipeline Hits Highest Level In 3 Years

Stephen Ross, Jeffrey Soffer Scrap Plans For Miami Airport Hotel Project

Deutsche Bank Files $260M Foreclosure Suit For Broward County Mall

Interest Rate Hike Douses Outlook For Atlanta Developers

Holographic Zoo Leases 51K SF Coconut Grove Building For First Location

Why Hospitals Must Be Designed For Talent Retention

Blackstone Sells Fort Lauderdale Industrial For $57M: The South Florida Deal Sheet

Denver Construction Costs On The Rise, Surpass National Increases

How Miami Multifamily Developers Are Approaching Dealmaking Today

How Structural Engineers Support Modern Healthcare Construction

Carnegie Mellon's Ken Griffin-Backed Campus Has Miami Developers Salivating

Kava Bars Are Booming. Kratom Is A Big Reason Why