The Stranahan house once again in a lawsuit

May
18

OK, let me vent for just a minute. I love my town and I am always for more beautiful landscape and condos. I have told you before that I love my condo and am slightly partial to them anyway. So I have been watching Related Group's fight for the right to build a 42 story condo right next to the historic Stranahan House. But I want to talk about the lawsuit that been filed by Related Group in regards to the delay of construction on their proposed 42 story Icon unit in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The historic Stranahan House is a wonderful historic landmark for Fort Lauderdale and Florida. It was built in 1901 by Frank Stranahan and his wife, Ivy, originally as a trading post for settlers and the Seminole Indians. It is right on the Riverwalk and is one of the most authentic and beautiful landmarks in town. I love walking back in time when I walk through the front doors. Stranahan House, INC has done a fine job of keeping up with tradition and has done a fabulous job of keeping the integrity of the original home in tact.

Several years ago, Related Group decided to build an Icon condo unit beside the historic Stranahan House. There was considerable opposition and lawsuits ensued. In 2004, the city's lawsuit, claiming that a 42 story condo unit so close to the historic site would be detrimental to the historic preservation of the home, was lost and Related Group was given the go ahead to proceed. Now Related Group is suing the activists who kept the fight going and delayed the construction of the building. According to the lawsuit, the Related Group is suing for loss of revenue. Let me just state for the record that I will not pick sides on this issue. So don't try to goad me.

I can see the historic preservation side of the issue and would like to see the integrity of the landmark to remain in tact.
I can also see the money and revenue lost by the Related Group and would never wish that on anyone.

What I want to vent about is the idea that lawsuits of such manor should not have to tie up our local courts. I am sorry that the Related Group lost money. But they can still build the Icon condo unit and make a profit. Maybe not as large of one as they had originally hoped, but a profit none the less. So to sue someone for such ideals a s civil conspiracy is not in their best public interest. Think about it. They won their court battle. Yes, the project was delayed several years. But they can still build. And if they will just go along their way quietly and not make such a big deal about it, fort Lauderdale won't label the site a public nuisance. Nobody likes a whiner that only is concerned with their bottom line and not community relations as well.

I hate to say it but community relations has a lot to do with how quickly they will be able to sell their units. I think the entire project will be fabulous when completed but is the bad publicity worth it? The question to me is whether the continued litigation on Related Group's part is going to make Fort Lauderdale turn it's back on the project. Instead, they should be touting the location as a great place to live near one of the most historic sites in Florida. Now they won't be able to do that. You have to be smart in teh real esate business here in Fort Lauderdale. I can attest to that. Think about it, Related Group, and decide if the lawsuit is worth the public relations damage you will have in the future.

Talk to you later,

Christine

Upcoming events in Broward County and the surrounding areas
Flagler Village is the latest up and coming neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale
Investing in Real Estate in Fort lauderdale just got better
Curt Gowdy home sells for $20 million in Palm Beach
To rent or buy real estate? That is the question...