Grand Venetian condo owner sues management firm

A condo owner of The Grand Venetian in Miami Beach filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the luxury tower’s management company, citing negligence that resulted in a $2.2 million assessment.

Murray Felder’s suit charges that FirstService Residential failed to perform maintenance and repairs, resulting in the assessment of the building’s 134 unit owners. Felder, an attorney, owns unit 1505 at the Grand Venetian, at 10 Venetian Way. He purchased the condo in March 2002, according to the suit.

Filed in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, the suit further alleges that FirstService Residential attempted to manipulate condo board elections to cover up its negligence. It also alleges that the firm supported board members who committed homestead exemption fraud.

FirstService Residential responded to the suit, saying  it is without merit factually incorrect.

“The pool deck is currently in the repair process, as has been documented in official Board meeting minutes. Both FirstService Residential and the Board of Directors of Grand Venetian Condominium Association remain committed to enhancing the property values and the lifestyles of the residents we serve,” FirstService Residential said in a statement. “We look forward to a quick dismissal of this lawsuit once all the facts come to light.”

In December, the building’s condo owners were notified that the building required pool deck, tennis court and garage repairs totaling $2.2 million, and a special assessment would be passed, Felder told The Real Deal.

Pool and tennis court at Grand Venetian

Felder said that the company has maintenance workers and equipment, but they have failed to maintain the garage and pool area.

“We have a high-end building, and we have a pool deck that is totally deplorable,” Felder told TRD. “For instance, the pool deck contains a pool, tennis court and hot tub, and the hot tub has been covered with plywood for 10 years.”