Residents of the high-end VistaBlue condominium on Singer Island in Palm Beach County, Florida, are taking legal action against the property’s developer and builder, claiming the seven-year-old building was poorly constructed and potentially unsafe.

The condo association has filed a lawsuit against Riviera Beach Investors and Wieland Corporation, as well as multiple subcontractors. The complaint alleges fraud, breach of contract, and misrepresentation, claiming the building was improperly designed and built, and now shows signs of structural flaws that could pose safety risks.

The suit, which has been quietly progressing through the courts, includes a 220-page engineering assessment and numerous photographs highlighting the alleged deficiencies.

“This was something you’d see in condos built in the 1960s or '70s, not in something that's from 2018,” said Kevin Dickenson, a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway, who noticed rust stains and balcony cracks while showing the building to a client.

The 18-story, 58-unit oceanfront development was completed in 2018 and marketed as a luxury property with top-tier amenities. Units have sold for up to $3.5 million, with the penthouse fetching $7.56 million, a record for Singer Island.

Despite its upscale branding, the engineering report prepared by the Falcon Group flagged cracks in structural concrete, corroded balcony anchors, exposed penetrations, and high moisture levels in the roofing membrane—issues usually found in much older buildings.

“Good things happen to those who wait. It’s been frustrating at times. This is a very complicated project,” said Mark Welch, West Chester Township Trustee, during the project's groundbreaking.

Riviera Beach Investors and Wieland Corporation deny wrongdoing and claim the real issue lies with the condo board’s alleged failure to maintain the property. Their attorney has yet to make a public statement but has challenged the accusations in court.

A representative for the VistaBlue condo association declined to comment when contacted.

“You can’t rush a project of this scale. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of West Chester and Liberty townships,” added Max Davis from Clous Road Partners.

The legal battle unfolds at a time of increased scrutiny over condo construction and maintenance in Florida, following the 2021 Surfside collapse, which raised public awareness about aging buildings and engineering standards.

Dickenson, who has a background in engineering, says his discovery of the lawsuit convinced his client to walk away from purchasing at VistaBlue, instead opting for a nearby condo that passed its structural assessments.

“That’s something you have to be very careful of as a buyer today,” Dickenson advises. “All Realtors®, all sellers, should provide that information. It should be readily available from the property manager.”

The lawsuit is not expected to go to trial until March of next year and could last up to two weeks, according to court documents.

This case mirrors similar legal disputes in South Florida, including a recent lawsuit by residents of La Clara in West Palm Beach, who also allege serious construction flaws in a newly completed building.

Both developers maintain that their work met all required standards, and that any problems stem from natural wear or owner neglect.

Originally reported by Keith Griffith in SFGate