Miami — In a landmark ruling that has reverberated through South Florida’s real estate and legal communities, a Miami-Dade judge has ordered a developer to repair and reinstate a waterfront condominium tower after its long-running attempt to demolish the building and replace it with luxury units was blocked in court.
On Monday, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Thomas Rebull signed an order compelling Two Roads Development — the lead developer behind the controversial Biscayne 21 project in the Edgewater neighborhood — to restore the building to its pre-litigation condition and reinstate the condo association. The property has sat largely vacant since 2022, when the developer began stripping out infrastructure and utilities in pursuit of a larger redevelopment plan.
The legal battle began when a small group of owners refused to sell their units to Two Roads, which had acquired a majority of units with the intent of terminating the condominium and ultimately replacing it with high-end residential towers. Those holdout owners filed suit, claiming the company improperly altered condo association bylaws to lower the threshold required for termination — violating the original declaration that required unanimous consent.
In ruling that a termination was unlawful, the courts reaffirmed the strength of original condo governance agreements, which in this case required 100 % owner consent, not a simple majority. The appellate court ruling was later upheld when the Florida Supreme Court declined to review the case, cementing the owners’ victory.
Under Judge Rebull’s order, Two Roads Development must begin repairs to pipes, electrical systems, exterior walls and utility systems within 30 days — a costly mandate that could run into millions of dollars, according to industry attorneys. The developer is also barred from seeking demolition permits or rezoning for redevelopment until the condo is made habitable.
Why it matters:
This ruling is significant for Miami’s real estate market because it reinforces legal protections for minority condo owners facing redevelopment pressure — especially in an era when aging buildings face costly safety assessments and developers see opportunities for lucrative projects. The case is likely to influence how condo terminations and bulk buyouts are negotiated across South Florida.
SOURCE:
🔗 Judge Orders Developer To Repair ‘Zombie’ Condos After Termination Ruled Illegal — Bisnow South Florida (January 13, 2026).
🔗 Florida Supreme Court denial upholds condo owners’ rights in Biscayne 21 fight — NBC Miami (October 17, 2025).