Messi’s 650-foot skyscraper sets off alarm bells due to sinking study

Just north of Miami, a row of luxury condominiums stands as some of the world’s most extravagant residences. However, a recent study by the University of Miami raises serious concerns about the stability of these buildings. Experts from the university warn that many structures are sinking at a “surprising” rate, including the remarkable Porsche Design Tower, which soars to 641 feet, and is home to, among others, Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi.

With plans for more residences featuring brands like Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, and Pagani, these findings may prompt some builders to reconsider their projects.

Trump Towers among sinking skyscrapers

The study reveals that 35 buildings, particularly in Sunny Isles Beach, have sunk up to three inches between 2016 and 2023. Among those affected are iconic structures such as some Trump Towers and the Ritz-Carlton Residences. This revelation comes less than four years after the devastating collapse of a 12-story residential tower in Surfside, Florida. Utilizing advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (InSAR) satellite technology, researchers analyzed surface displacement to assess the buildings' stability.

New constructions typically experience some settling during and shortly after construction, but the study indicates that ground subsidence can continue and even accelerate over the years. Falk Amelung, a geophysics professor at the Rosenstiel School, stated, “we found that subsidence in most high-rises slows down over time, but in some cases, it continues at a steady rate. This suggests that subsidence could persist for an extended period.”

Farzaneh Aziz Zanjani, the study’s lead author, highlighted critical subsidence points along Florida’s southern coast, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring of these structures. “The discovery of the extent of subsidence hotspots along the South Florida coastline was unexpected,” he said.

The research incorporated data from other universities, utilizing resources like the German Aerospace Agency’s TerraSAR-X satellite and various data analysis techniques to substantiate their findings.

What’s causing the subsidence?

Researchers attribute the primary cause of the sinking to the displacement of sand grains due to the weight of the high-rise buildings and the constant vibrations from construction activities. Additional factors include daily tidal movements and the cracking of limestone beneath the surface, all contributing to the progressive sinking.

Khaled Sobhan, a geotechnical engineering professor at Florida Atlantic University, noted that groundwater flow from underground construction activities plays a significant role in rearranging sand grains. “The sinking is likely a combination of several mechanisms, and these findings raise important questions that require further investigation,” Sobhan explained.

Celebrity property prices not sinking

High-profile individuals like Messi, Maluma, Thalia, and Anuel AA possess the substantial wealth necessary to afford residencies in these elite buildings. These apartments feature amenities such as terraces ranging from 1,076 to 1,614 square feet with grills, exclusive vehicle elevators, and other luxurious details. Gustavo Strallnikoff, CEO of The Strallnikoff Group and International Sales Director, remarked, “You can live without being seen because you enter with your car into the garage, where a private elevator opens for each owner and their vehicle, taking them directly to their residence.”

While these residences offer top-tier comforts to their owners, the rental prices are steep, making them inaccessible to most. According to ‘Comunidad Latina en USA’ in one of their videos, the monthly rent is approximately $30,000.

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