- A lot where 98 people died when a Miami condo collapsed has been bought by a Trump aide.
- Hussain Sajwani, owner of Dubai-based DAMAC Properties, bought the land for $120 million.
- Victims’ families will receive the sale proceeds as part of a $1 billion settlement.
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The site of a Miami condo collapse that killed 98 people last June was bought by a business associate of Donald Trump, the Miami Herald reported.
Hussain Sajwani, the Emirati owner of Dubai-based DAMAC Properties, was the sole bidder for the 4-acre beachfront lot at 8777 Collins Ave, Michael Fay of commercial real estate firm Avison Young told the newspaper. The agency has been hired to market the property as part of a class action lawsuit.
The 12-story Champlain Towers South building stood on the site in Surfside, Miami, before collapsing on June 24 last year.
Sajwani has designed two Trump branded golf courses in Dubai and has partnerships with Versace and Fendi.
Trump turned down a $2 billion real estate deal with Sajwani in 2018 because he didn’t want to be perceived as taking advantage of the presidency.
A DAMAC spokesman previously told the Miami Herald that Sajwani plans to build a super-luxe condominium building. The company did not immediately respond when approached by Insider for comment.
Champlain Towers collapsed on June 24 last year, killing 98 people. AP
The families of the victims of the condo collapse reached a nearly $1 billion settlement this month after a wrongful death lawsuit was brought against the engineering firm that identified structural problems and before them, the building’s insurer and nearby ones developers warned.
The Miami Herald said proceeds from the sale would go toward the settlement.
An investigation in November found that fire alarms did not sound before the building collapsed, which would have given residents seven minutes to escape.
In 2018, an engineer inspecting the 40-year-old building found a “major” design flaw in the basement that had led to water damage and corrosion.
“While nothing can alleviate the pain or suffering, we are pleased to be moving forward with this successful buyer to help bring everyone to a close,” Fay told the Miami Herald.