“Real Housewives” star can raze Star Island home

Miami Beach commissioners decided that a Star Island mansion owned by a “Real Housewives of Miami” star is not historically significant and paved the way for its demolition.

The commission voted against declaring the 42 Star Island Drive residence as a landmark during Wednesday’s meeting, Daily Business Review reported. Property owners Leonard and Lisa Hochstein want to raze the Mediterranean Revival mansion originally designed by Walter DeGarmo in 1925.

Preservationists fought for a landmark tag, but the city’s Design Review Board had already approved the Hochsteins’ construction plans and its planning director recommended against a historical designation. The planning director, Thomas Mooney, noted the mansion is currently four feet below flood level when speaking against the proposed historic designation. [Daily Business Review] — Eric Kalis