Officials: Pool Deck at Collapsed Florida Condo Building Violated Codes and Standards

Federal investigators revealed that the swimming pool deck of a South Florida condominium, which tragically collapsed two years ago and claimed the lives of 98 individuals, did not comply with the original building codes and standards. The National Institute of Standards and Technology provided an update on the Champlain Towers South building collapse during a recent meeting of the National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee. The condo building was situated in Surfside, a town just north of Miami Beach.

According to the investigators, the pool deck exhibited significant strength deficiencies in many areas, violating the necessary design requirements. They also uncovered evidence of corrosion, misplaced reinforcement, and the addition of heavier and extra plant containers on the deck, which deviated from the original plans. All these factors contributed to “critically low margins against failure,” the investigators explained.

While experts had previously suggested that issues with the pool deck might have played a role in the collapse of the 40-year-old, 12-story building on June 24, 2021, the NIST investigation is still ongoing. The technical work is expected to conclude by the following spring, with a comprehensive report on the cause of the collapse and potential recommendations for updating codes, standards, or practices anticipated by 2025.

Despite the ongoing investigation, developers are currently working on constructing a new building on the site. However, family members of the victims have called for a memorial to be established in the location instead. Dubai-based DAMAC International, which acquired the 1.8-acre site for $120 million last year, submitted plans this week for a new condo building designed by Zaha Hadid Architects from London. The proposed luxury building, spanning 57 units ranging from 4,000 to 9,000 square feet, would feature amenities such as a business center, event space, and two pools.

The building proposal offers two variations, depending on the final setback variance allowed for the site. One design includes vertically aligned balconies, while the other incorporates tiered balconies that gradually recede as the floors ascend. Although prices for the units have not been disclosed, comparable residences in the area typically sell for over $1 million.

Since the collapse of Champlain Towers South, family members of the victims and their supporters have advocated for a memorial to be erected on the site. While town officials have committed to allocating space for a memorial along a nearby street, some family members insist that the memorial should be situated at the actual location where lives were lost.

The approval of the new development plans still rests with the town officials.

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More about condo collapse

• National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
• Champlain Towers South Building Collapse – NIST Investigation
• Miami Herald – Coverage of the Condo Collapse
• DAMAC International
• Zaha Hadid Architects