Unpermitted construction isn’t the only thing slowing down progress at Rishi Kapoor’s co-living project in Miami Beach.
This month, six companies — including the project’s architect — filed liens in Miami-Dade Circuit Court against the Kapoor entity that owns the Urbin Miami Beach development site at 1234 and 1260 Washington Avenue. The half-dozen firms are claiming a combined $1.2 million in unpaid work and services, the liens show.
Kapoor, CEO of Coral Gables-based Location Ventures, is experiencing a cascade of trouble: A group of investors want to oust him as project manager of another co-living project in Coconut Grove. Investigators are probing his company’s $10,000 monthly payments to Miami Mayor Francis Suarez. And Miami Beach officials recently issued a stop work order against his co-living project.
The liens claiming nonpayment are the latest signs of turmoil for Kapoor and Location Ventures.
Still, a company official downplayed any disputes with project contractors.
The developer “has been in continuous communication with its vendors” regarding “challenges experienced with permits and zoning legislation,” said Vivian Bonet, Location Ventures’ chief development officer, in an emailed statement.
“All third parties are well aware of the payment timeline that will be fulfilled as we move into subsequent phases of the development process,” Bonet said.
Touzet Studio designed Urbin Miami Beach, a six-story building that will entail 69 co-living condos, 20,000 square feet of coworking space, a market, a rooftop bar and pool, and about 5,000 square feet of wellness amenities.
Last week, Touzet Studio filed a lien, claiming the company is owed roughly $44,677 for services provided since 2019 through April 3. Jacqueline Gonzalez Touzet, a principal for Touzet Studio, declined comment.
The owners and principals of the five other contractors did not respond to requests for comment. Hialeah-based South Florida Construction Solution filed the largest claim at $811,704 for alleged nonpayment of materials and services.
Miami-based Rene’s Equipment Rental-Master Paving’s lien shows it allegedly hasn’t been paid $181,738 for labor and materials, and Fort Lauderdale-based GProulx Building Products claims it is owed $128,956.
Adonel Concrete Corp., based in Miami, and Rock & Dirt Construction Equipment Rental, based in Opa-Locka, filed liens claiming Location Ventures hasn’t paid $52,414 and $23,878, respectively.