The investigation into the collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, continues four years after the tragedy that killed 98 people. The probe, led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has so far cost more than $40 million and is expected to take longer than previous investigations into major structural failures such as the Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse in 2018 and the World Trade Center attacks in 2001.
Martin Langesfeld, who lost his sister and brother-in-law in the collapse, addressed Surfside commissioners this week. “It’s been four years, 98 dead. And there’s no answers and no accountability,” he said.
Langesfeld spoke following NIST’s presentation of preliminary findings from its ongoing investigation. Evidence indicates that the collapse began at the pool deck area, which started to fail at least seven minutes before the tower itself fell. Investigators found that design flaws contributed to the disaster: slab reinforcements were not installed according to requirements, nearly all construction joints lacked steel reinforcement dowels, and concrete “keys” were either missing or improperly built. According to NIST’s Glenn Bell, these deficiencies may have allowed water intrusion leading to corrosion and cracking of critical structural elements.
Additional problems emerged prior to the collapse. Investigators referenced a video showing water pouring into an underground garage hours before the incident. Other issues included a malfunctioning gate between decks weeks earlier and a sliding glass door coming off its tracks about a month before. These incidents reportedly occurred near locations with improperly constructed joints.
NIST had initially planned to release its final report this year but now expects draft reports will be available next year instead.
“We share the public’s desire to have answers,” said NIST’s Judith Mitrani-Reiser, “and what we can do to make sure that it doesn’t happen again.”
In a statement, NIST noted it “shared from the beginning of this investigation that it would be especially complex, given the lack of any obvious cause, such as a fire or plane crash.”
Family members expressed frustration over delays in reaching conclusions about responsibility for what happened at Champlain Towers South.
Langesfeld emphasized that determining accountability is important for condo residents’ safety statewide: “This tragedy requires criminal accountability. Who developed and constructed this building? Who approved this building? There are many potential parties that must be investigated,” he told town commissioners. “This was not a natural disaster, this was not a hurricane. This was a preventable human error.”
In other real estate news from Miami Beach and Palm Beach:
– Developer Michael Shvo sold one Miami Beach development site for an amount close to its loan value while continuing efforts on other properties.
– Former Apple CEO John Sculley sold his oceanfront estate at 1214 North Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach for $37 million; Chestnut Park Holdings LLC purchased it.
– Michael Stern’s JDS Development Group and David Martin’s Terra acquired Bikini Hostel at 1247 West Avenue for $20 million as part of a larger $120 million waterfront development plan including Bay Garden Manor at 1250 West Avenue.
– An oceanfront mansion at 1610 North Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach is listed for sale at $65 million after last selling for $25.5 million in 2019.
– Douglas Elliman agent Darin Tansey died recently at age 50; commercial broker Danny Zelonker also passed away last month at age 75.
