Condemned Pines condos sell for $20.5M after legal fight. Here’s what to know

A federal appeals panel cleared the way for a $20.5 million sale of the condemned Heron Pond Condominium in Pembroke Pines, ending a six-month legal battle over the 304-unit complex.

Residents were ordered out of the 25-acre property in August 2024 after city officials found the buildings unsafe to occupy.

FULL STORY: Judge clears $20.5 million sale of condemned Pembroke Pines condo complex

Here are key takeaways:

• The 19 two-story buildings at 8400 SW First St. were built in 1988 and suffered from moisture damage, termite damage and structural deficiencies tied to “inadequate design and inadequate construction practices.”
• A court-appointed receiver, former Weston mayor Daniel Stermer, opted to dissolve the condo association and sell the property rather than pursue repairs. Miami-based Integra Real Estate was named the buyer in September.
• The Federated Foundation Trust, which owns more than 100 of the complex’s units, challenged the deal in December, arguing the receiver was never properly authorized and that it was excluded from bidding.
• A former HOA president alleged in 2024 court filings that trust-linked board members may have wanted the property to deteriorate so they could acquire units at a discount.
• Judge Rodney Smith gave Federated six days to top Integra’s bid with $23.95 million, but Federated executive Piyush Viradia Patel said he only had $18 to $19 million committed. Smith approved the Integra sale on Jan. 8.
• A federal appeals panel affirmed the sale in a March 20 opinion after Federated appealed in February, claiming it was denied due process.

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