We Receive Stunning Emails, Stating Our Reporting On Old Boca Buildings Will Result In Decreased Property Value.
One Owner Threatens Lawsuit Over Listing Age Of Building.
BY: ANDREW COLTON | Editor and Publisher
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2021 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — The bodies are still being counted in the Surfside Champlain Tower condo collapse, but in Boca Raton, the fear is collapsing property values.
BocaNewsNow.com received several emails on Sunday, possibly as part of an orchestrated campaign, from readers who couldn’t believe that we listed the old condominium buildings that line the beaches of Boca Raton and nearby Highland Beach.
“That article will cost those living there tens of thousands of dollars each in property values!” wrote one reader. “How could you write that?”
Wrote another, “what good could possibly come from writing about old buildings? If people don’t know, it won’t hurt anyone.”
From a third: “Who gave you permission to list the ages of buildings? That’s private information available only to the owners of units in the buildings. I’m going to sue your news organization!”
Our article, published on Saturday, revealed that several condo and apartment buildings on Ocean Boulevard were built in the same time period as Chaplain Tower South, with one even dating back to the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. Based on public records research, our article solely listed dates on file with Palm Beach County. We made it clear that there was no suggestion that the buildings are in danger falling and killing everyone inside.
Ironically, the author of one of the emails lives in a building we omitted from our original list. That building is Boca Tower Condominiums at 2121 North Ocean Blvd. It was built in 1972. The author of the email paid $178,000 for his unit in 2017.
From our original article, here are some of the other aging Boca Raton beachfront buildings:
La Fontana at 2003 North Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. Built 1981.
The Brighton at 2000 North Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. Built 1979.
Ocean Reef Towers at 2066 North Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. Built 1973.
Parker Highland East Condominium, at 4605 South Ocean Blvd. in Highland Beach. Built 1981.
Boca Mar Condominium Apartments at 310 South Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. Built 1972.
Beresford Condominium at 350 South Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. Built 1977.
Chalfonte Condominiums at 500 South Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. Built 1975.
Cloister Beach Towers at 1200 South Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. Built 1966.
The Addison on the Ocean at 1400 South Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. Built 1985.
Stratford Arms at 2600 South Ocean Blvd. in Boca Raton. Built 1974.
A quick look at the MLS reveals that several units are currently listed for sale in these and other aging Boca Raton buildings.
Homeowners have reason for concern. Builders aren’t responsible for renovations and upgrades 40 years after their work is completed. Rebuilding, renovations and structural improvements must be paid for by condo owners and their associations.
