Not falling into giant sinkholes or anything (this isn’t a disaster movie), but they’re sinking slowly — by as much as three inches over the past seven years. That might not sound like much, but in a city built on limestone and sand, even tiny shifts can be a big deal.
So, what’s happening? And why does it matter? Let’s break it down.
Where Is Sinking Happening
The study found the most sinking in Sunny Isles Beach, where nearly 70 percent of buildings in the northern part of the city are slowly settling into the ground. Surfside, Bal Harbour, and a couple of spots in Miami Beach are also sinking, but not as much as Sunny Isles.
Researchers used satellites to measure this sinking (called “subsidence”) down to the millimeter. It’s like a super high-tech ruler floating in space, pointing out exactly where the ground is moving.
Why Is This Happening?
Here’s the deal.Construction Vibrations:
Imagine a giant jackhammer next to a sandcastle — that’s kind of what happens when a new high-rise is built. All the digging, pumping, and pounding shakes up the sandy layers under Miami’s buildings. Over time, the sand compacts, and the ground sinks.
Water Movement:
The ground beneath us isn’t just sitting still. Water from tides, storms, and construction sites flows through Miami’s porous limestone like a sponge, shifting sand grains and causing the ground to settle even more.
The study calls this “creep deformation” — basically, the sand is slowly rearranging itself and sinking under the weight of all those massive buildings.
How Much Are We Talking?
From 2016 to 2023, the buildings in the study sank anywhere between 0.8 inches and three inches. That doesn’t sound like a skyscraper-toppling amount, but here’s the catch: If a building sinks evenly, it’s not a huge problem. But if one part sinks faster than another (called “differential subsidence”), it can put stress on a building’s structure. Think about a table with one short leg — it wobbles, right? That’s what happens to buildings when the ground underneath them doesn’t sink evenly.But What About Champlain Towers?
The tragic 2021 collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside that killed 98 people still weighs heavy in hearts and minds. This study found no signs of sinking beneath the Champlain Towers site before it collapsed.Still, the research highlights a troubling pattern in nearby buildings, suggesting that subsidence may not be isolated.
Miami's Ground: Why It's Extra Tricky
Miami isn’t built on solid rock like other cities. Instead, it sits on limestone, a soft, porous rock rife with holes and pockets. It’s basically a giant sponge. Atop the limestone are layers of sand, especially in places like Sunny Isles Beach.That mix of soft rock and sand makes Miami’s ground more likely to sink under pressure. Add rising sea levels, increased construction, and tidal water movement, and you get the perfect recipe for ground settlement.
What It Means for Miami
The good news is that subsidence happens slowly; these buildings are not just going to tip over tomorrow.But left unchecked, uneven sinking can cause cracks, misaligned doors, and other structural problems. The study suggests more monitoring is needed to keep an eye on what’s happening beneath Miami’s buildings.
For now, the sinking is a reminder that when you build luxury high-rises on sand and limestone, the ground might have its own plans.
The List: 35 Sinking Buildings
If you live in one of these buildings, it might be worth asking management about inspection records and plans to address any potential sinking. At the very least, it’ll give you a conversation starter for your next HOA meeting. Here are the 35 buildings that showed signs of sinking between 2016 and 2023, according to the study:
1. Porsche Design Tower
2. Ritz-Carlton Residences
3. Faena Hotel
4. Trump Tower III
5. Surf Club Towers (North, South, and Hotel Tower)
6. Regalia
7. Residences by Armani Casa
8. Muse Residences
9. Jade Ocean Condos
10. Jade Beach Condos
11. Jade Signature Condos
12. Chateau Beach Residences
13. Marenas Beach Resort
14. Millennium Condominiums
15. Ocean II, III, and IV
16. Florida Ocean Club
17. Trump International Beach Resort
18. Aqualina Resort and Residences
19. Mansions at Aqualina
20. Bentley Residence Development Site
21. Pinnacle
22. Double Tree Resort and Spa
23. Sole Mia Resort
24. Kings Point Imperial Condo
25. Fendi Chateau
26. Oceana Bal Harbour
27. Marbella Condominium
28. Waverly
29. Carlisle on the Ocean
30. Residence Inn by Marriott
31. 87 Park Tower
32. Arte Residence
33. L’Atelier Condo
34. Faena House
35. Luxury Condo Cabarete
