'Our heaven has now gone': Furious millionaires slam developer for destroying ... trends now
The millionaire residents of a gated community that live on a secluded island in Miami say their private paradise has been destroyed, after the city allowed a developer to build a huge 91-foot high, seven story block of condos that now blots out the sunshine and their waterfront views.
What once offered spectacular vistas of Biscayne Bay and the skyline of downtown Miami has now been blocked by an enormous stadium-like construction of new condominiums, leaving residents in the pre-existing blocks completely in the shade.
Not only that, the way the new block has been constructed with its curved design has created a wind tunnel effect, meaning patio furniture on the neighboring balconies is being blown around. The prices of the original homes are also said to have plummeted by 30 percent.
'When residents move in over there, they'll be close enough to see what I'm watching on TV. Or what I'm reading. I'll be able to see into their bathrooms,' said Wendy Gordon to the Miami Herald.
'We bought a peaceful island lifestyle. It was heaven. It's gone. This used to be a kind and friendly place. Now everybody hates each other.'
A view of the construction of a new seven-story condo building on the northern edge of Grove Isle in Coconut Grove
A Grove Isle resident who has been fighting against the new condo building under construction holds a pamphlet while standing on an eighth-floor balcony. Their once stunning bay views are now blocked by the construction work
From above the tip of the island where the new building is being constructed was home to a community club and waterfront restaurant
The residents of Grove Isle had fought for 10 years to prevent the new condo from being constructed on their private island.
Indeed, the new building, which they believe to have been illegally constructed, has been built in the exact same location, where a community clubhouse, swimming pool, Tiki hut bar and waterfront restaurant used to be.
The new luxury building, known as Vita, consisting of seven stories and 65 units, is selling condos for between $2.7 million and $22 million.
The new owners of Vita will now enjoy the views that the Grove Isle owners, some of whom have lived there for the last 40 years, have enjoyed up to now, together with a 'thoughtfully curated collection of indoor and outdoor amenities,' including private elevators, 'residents-only poolside bar' and 'panoramic views' from 'wrapped terraces.'
David Schaecter, 94, has lived at the Grove since its construction in the late 1970s.
He and his wife, Sydney, used to enjoy stunning views over the marina and tennis courts, but now their unit sits just 40 feet away from the new apartment block
