The contentious plan by The Related Group to construct a luxury condo tower on public beachfront property in Hollywood, Florida, has been thrown into further limbo, now facing the serious prospect of legal action. The proposed 27-story Hollywood Arts Residences at 1301 S. Ocean Dr. is nearly four years into a pre-construction delay, and the developer is now actively anticipating litigation as it hardens its stance against regulatory hurdles.
The project, launched by the Hollywood City Commission in 2022, involves a 99-year lease of public land. Despite the promise of a two-story community center and a $5 million contract-signing bonus for the city, the plan has faced fierce, sustained resistance from residents. Opponents, who maintain active social media presences and have gathered thousands of signatures on petitions, argue that the development privatizes an invaluable public oceanfront.
The current escalation centers on a critical zoning dispute. In an aggressive move that suggests the company is preparing for a court battle, a lawyer for Related, Keith Poliakoff, sent a letter accusing an unidentified government employee of “mysteriously” changing an online county zoning map. The map, he claims, was altered to conflict with the “medium-high residential” designation required for the tower, instead reverting the property to “community facility” use.
However, the Broward County Planning Council swiftly disputed the developer’s characterization, stating that the original map had been in error and that the correction was legitimate. Despite this apparent conflict, the developer intends to move forward. The law firm’s communication states that Related will proceed as if the project already has the proper, medium-high residential zoning designation “until a court tells us otherwise,” as reported by the Florida Bulldog.
Meanwhile, the Hollywood City Commission, led by Mayor Josh Levy—who received significant financial backing from corporations associated with Related during his last campaign—is scheduled to consider an ordinance on Wednesday, December 10, to grant the developer’s land-use change request. This comes amid high public tension and continued pushback, as residents plan another large turnout to protest the move.
“It won’t be built anytime soon, and most of us hope, not at all,” remarked Catherine “Cat” Uden, a leader of the opposition. The persistent challenges—ranging from litigation threats to resilience experts questioning the wisdom of building a massive structure on a low-lying barrier island—ensure the future of the Hollywood Arts Residences remains highly uncertain.
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