SURFSIDE, FLA. — A Dubai-based developer has unveiled plans for a high-end residential project on the South Florida site where a devastating building collapse killed 98 people in 2021.

DAMAC International announced that it will construct The Delmore, a 12-story luxury condominium, on the former location of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida. The collapse of the building in June 2021 was one of the deadliest structural failures in U.S. history.

According to DAMAC, construction of The Delmore has already begun, with completion expected by 2029. The development, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, will feature 37 “mansions”, each averaging 7,000 square feet. Prices for four- and five-bedroom units will start at $15 million, and residents will have access to a private restaurant, butler services, a wellness spa, and other resort-style amenities.

“We have been focused on delivering an ultra-luxury product to the South Florida market that is unlike anything the area has seen previously,” Jeffery Rossely, senior vice president of development for DAMAC International, said in a statement.

The company's news release makes no mention of the tragedy that unfolded on the site.

Remembering the 2021 Collapse

In June 2021, the 12-story Champlain Towers South—a 136-unit oceanfront condo—suddenly collapsed, leaving behind a massive pile of debris and claiming 98 lives. Only a handful of survivors were pulled from the wreckage, including two teenagers and a woman. Others managed to escape from the portion of the building that initially remained standing.

A 2023 court-approved settlement of over $1 billion was reached for the victims and their families. The funds came from 37 sources, including insurance companies, engineering firms, and a neighboring luxury condo whose recent construction was suspected of contributing to structural damage. None of the parties admitted liability.

The cause of the collapse is still under investigation by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Ongoing Investigation & Findings

Investigators from NIST have identified several construction flaws in Champlain Towers South. Tests show that some of the steel-reinforced concrete columns were half as strong as they should have been, failing to meet construction standards when the building was erected in 1980. In addition, investigators found that steel reinforcement had corroded, further weakening the structure.

Experts also confirmed eyewitness reports that the pool deck collapsed into the garage four to seven minutes before the beachside tower came down.

Champlain Towers South had a long history of maintenance issues, and poor construction techniques from the early 1980s may have played a role. Other possible contributing factors include rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and structural wear over time.

Stronger Regulations Following the Collapse

In response to the tragedy, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation mandating stricter building safety regulations.

Key changes include:

• Mandatory structural inspections for condo buildings three stories or taller.
• New requirements for maintenance, repair cost estimates, and reserve funding.
• Condo associations must now survey reserves every decade to ensure they can cover major repairs.

Because of these new laws, many older South Florida condo buildings are facing significant increases in association fees to fund necessary structural improvements.

A Controversial Development?

While DAMAC International moves forward with its luxury development, the decision to rebuild on the site remains a sensitive issue. Many families of the victims still mourn the lives lost, and some have voiced concerns about the lack of a memorial or tribute within the project.

For now, as construction progresses on The Delmore, the memory of the Champlain Towers South disaster continues to cast a shadow over Surfside.