A $21 million lawsuit
over alleged construction defects at a high-end condominium
developed by Terra in Miami’s Coconut Grove has settled for
a confidential amount after two years of litigation.
The 22-story, 99-unit twin tower Grove at Grand Bay
condominium was completed in 2016 to much fanfare, in part
over its twisting design and floor-to-ceiling glass offering
expansive views of Biscayne Bay. It’s at 2669 and 2675 S.
Bayshore Drive.
|
One of the Grove at Grand Bay towers in Miami’s Coconut Grove, 2675 S Bayshore Dr, Miami. |
An association-hired expert estimated
the damages at more than $21 million, according to a court
filing.
Terra and its attorney, Luks, Santaniello, Petrillo & Cohen
junior partner David Rosinsky in Fort Lauderdale, and
Facchina Construction’s attorney, Watt, Tieder, Hoffar, &
Fitzgerald partner Mariela Malfeld, didn’t return a request
for comment by deadline.
Terra Grove, in its court response to the association’s
amended complaint, denied liability and argued in part the
alleged defects occurred because the association didn’t
maintain and routinely upkeep the condo, adding the
association took control of the building years ago.
“During that time, the building has weathered several severe
storms and other environmental conditions that would have
necessitated both preventative and remedial maintenance,”
Rosinsky wrote in Terra’s answer and affirmative defenses.
The association took over control of the Grove at Grand Bay
in August 2017 from Terra. In its complaint, the association
said the alleged defects aren’t easily recognizable but take
an expert to identify.
Facchina Construction, in its court response, denied the
allegations and argued the association has no standing to
assert its claims, as it was a party neither to the Terra-Facchina
contract for Grove at Grand Bay nor to the payment and
performance bond issued insuring Facchina’s work on the
project.
Some of the alleged construction defects in the second
amended complaint filed in December 2018, or a year after
the association first sued, included cracked concrete slabs,
walls, columns, beams and canopies that allegedly allowed
for water intrusion and corrosion; broken concrete post
tension cables; cracking of limestone exterior plaster top
finishes; water intrusion; ponding water because of
deficient railing pockets; stained and cracking kitchen
cabinets and countertops; and water intrusion elsewhere,
including under the rooftop pool deck, detaching the
waterproof membrane.
The 91-count complaint listed breach of statutory warranty
under state statutes, breach of common law implied warranty
and negligence counts separately for most of the defendants.