WRE News: Miami’s Luxury High-Rise Are Sinking Faster Than Expected, Study Finds

Miami, FL – December 22, 2024 – A new University of Miami study reveals that dozens of high-end beachfront condos and hotels in Surfside, Sunny Isles, and Miami Beach are sinking into the ground at “unexpected” rates.

Between 2016 and 2023, researchers identified 35 buildings subsiding by as much as three inches. With nearly 70% of buildings in northern Sunny Isles affected, the findings raise serious questions about the future of development on South Florida’s vulnerable coastline.

Experts suggest that rising sea levels and limestone erosion could be contributing to the phenomenon, but more research is needed to understand the potential structural risks. Differential subsidence, or uneven sinking, poses the greatest threat, as it can lead to cracks, misaligned windows, and even structural damage.

While local officials emphasize that inspections are up to date, the study highlights the urgent need for ongoing monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long-term implications for these high-rise communities.