A proposed development under Florida’s Live Local Act has sparked opposition in Surfside, a beachfront town north of Miami. Developers submitted plans in November for an 11-story residential and hotel project at 95th Street. The application was filed by an affiliate of Postal Realty Trust, led by Andrew Spodek, and Ocean Walk Surfside LLC. The new building would replace a single-story post office built in the 1950s.
Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett criticized the proposal, calling it a “disaster.” He added: “It’s outrageous that Florida politicians have ‘decided to destroy the fabric and composition of small towns’ via the Live Local Act.”
The Live Local Act became law in 2023 and aims to encourage workforce housing for tenants earning up to 120 percent of the area median income. The law gives developers incentives such as increased density, height allowances, parking relief, and tax benefits. It also limits local governments’ authority over approvals; projects that comply with the law can bypass public hearings and obtain administrative approval.
Residents have raised concerns about additional traffic congestion, crowded schools, and loss of local control over development decisions. Town staff are currently reviewing the application.
In Tallahassee, lawmakers appear poised to maintain or expand these policies. Senate Bill 1548, filed last week by Sen. Alexis Calatayud, proposes to extend Live Local eligibility to properties owned by counties, municipalities or school districts—if those entities are party to the application and the projects remain within their boundaries. The bill would prevent counties from restricting project heights through other means such as setbacks or stepbacks. Additionally, farms would not be considered commercial or industrial properties under this legislation.
Other notable real estate transactions include a $72 million sale of a mansion at 1460 North Lake Way in Palm Beach from British investor Pamela W. Starret to an undisclosed buyer. In Coral Gables, DWS Group sold two office buildings known as Alhambra for $119.6 million to Lone Star Funds along with Square2 Capital and Highline Real Estate Capital.
A waterfront estate at 790 South County Road in Palm Beach is listed for $105 million with Christian Angle Real Estate; it previously sold for about $31 million in 2021.
Google co-founder Larry Page purchased two waterfront properties in Miami’s Coconut Grove for $173 million combined. Sergey Brin made an offer on a waterfront home on Allison Island in Miami Beach for approximately $50 million.
Separately, a Coral Gables man pleaded guilty to careless boating following an incident that resulted in the death of Ella Adler while she was wakeboarding on Biscayne Bay. Under a plea agreement, he will serve probation but avoid formal conviction; Adler’s father called for stricter boating regulations.
