- A new University of Miami study shows that 35 luxury beachfront condos and hotels in Miami-Dade County are sinking at rates ranging from 0.8 to 3 inches over the last 7 years.
- Areas most affected include Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, Bal Harbour, and Miami Beach, with iconic buildings like the Porsche Design Tower and Faena Hotel seeing measurable subsidence.
- While subsidence isn’t always dangerous, uneven sinking could cause structural damage over time.
- Experts suggest rising sea levels and climate-related erosion of South Florida’s porous limestone foundation may accelerate the problem, requiring ongoing monitoring.
A University of Miami study published in Earth and Space Science highlights a troubling trend: dozens of luxury high-rises in Miami-Dade’s most coveted beachfront locations are sinking at unexpected rates. From 2016 to 2023, satellite imagery identified 35 buildings across Surfside, Sunny Isles Beach, Bal Harbour, and Miami Beach, experiencing up to 3 inches of subsidence, as reported by the Miami Herald.
Prominent affected properties include:
- Porsche Design Tower
- The Ritz-Carlton Residences
- Trump International Beach Resort
- Faena Hotel
- Surf Club Towers
Together, these buildings house thousands of residents and attract luxury tourists.
Why It’s Happening: Natural or Manmade?
Researchers are examining whether climate change is playing a role. Rising sea levels, erosion, and flooding, all driven by global warming, may accelerate the degradation of South Florida’s limestone foundation, which is already prone to air pockets and instability. Construction activity, including vibrations and groundwater pumping, is another factor that could worsen subsidence.
The phenomenon, experts say, may not stop anytime soon, with no immediate signs of stabilization.
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Is It Dangerous?
While slow, uniform subsidence is not inherently dangerous. Differential subsidence, when parts of a building sink unevenly, can lead to structural issues like wall cracks, malfunctioning windows and doors, and compromised utility lines.
Paul Chinowsky, a civil engineering professor, warns, “The problem starts when one part of the building sinks faster than the other.”
A History of Vulnerability
The study comes in the wake of the tragic Champlain Towers collapse in Surfside (2021), which killed 98 people and prompted stricter building inspections across Florida. While subsidence was not identified as the cause of the collapse, the new findings highlight regional vulnerabilities and emphasize the need for proactive monitoring and structural assessments.
What’s Next?
Local officials, including Sunny Isles Beach Mayor Larisa Svechin, have emphasized that safety remains the top priority. With many buildings due for mandatory structural reviews, experts recommend further investigation into foundation stability and climate-related risks.
As sea levels rise and development continues on South Florida’s barrier islands, the region faces a growing challenge: ensuring its iconic skyline is luxurious and structurally sound.
