Grove Isle residents and the island’s
owner have settled a legal dispute, paving the way for the
community’s first new project in 40 years.
The Grove Isle Condominium Association and Eduardo Avila’s
Grove Isle Associates, LLP agreed in May on a settlement
after six years of lawsuits and appeals, said John Shubin, a
representative of Grove Isle Associates and a founding
partner at the Downtown Miami law firm Shubin & Bass. The
Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the settlement, as
first reported by the Daily Business Review.
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The Grove Isle Condominium Association and Grove Isle Associates, LLP came to an agreement after six years of lawsuits and appeals, paving the way for a new project on the island, shown in 2015. |
Vita will join three existing
condominiums built by Martin Margulies from 1979 through
1981. The island is fairly hidden, despite its views of the
glittering towers of Grove at Grand Bay, single-family homes
dotting the Coconut Grove waterfront and the Downtown Miami
skyline. It’s connected to the mainland from Fair Isle
Street, off of the tree-lined road of South Bayshore Drive
between David T. Kennedy Park and Mercy Hospital.
Each 18-story building has 162 to 170 units. The island had
a waterfront hotel with 50 rooms, spa, restaurant, pool and
Tiki bar prior to being demolished in 2018 by Avila. A
marina and 12 closed tennis courts remain on the island.
Prices range from $650,000 for a 1,600-square-foot
two-bedroom, two-bathroom unit to $1.3 million for a
4,000-square-foot four-bedroom, four-bathroom unit,
according to listings on Realtor.com.
The project is moving forward, Shubin said, despite two
pending matters. The developer faces a pending appeal by
about 20 island residents who argue that the developer’s
construction permits are invalid since the island was never
re-platted. In addition to the appeal, Avila has to complete
bridge repairs and pass inspections.
Goldfarb said he has lingering concerns about whether the
bridge can withstand the weight of construction trucks.