Florida Condo Announces Clothing-Optional Pool
HB.com reported last week on the growing popularity of nudist resorts in Central Florida, and now a Hillsborough County apartment complex wants to get in on the action. New marketing materials for the Arbors at Branch Creek tout a new, clothing-optional pool, but the announcement is not sitting well with long-time residents who prefer the "resort-style living with Southern charm" advertised in the old marketing materials. The development's new website features photos of semi-nude models lounging poolside and some extra cheesy swinger-lingo, "Our residents are welcome to shed more than their inhibitions as they enter the gates of Eden." Who knew the gates of Eden were located on County Road 580, just south of Race Track Road? 
Since 2002, over 22,000 new condominiums have either been built or are under construction in downtown Miami. And while that number is staggering, it could have been much worse. During the housing boom, some analysts were forecasting new condo numbers in the 50,000 to 80,000 range, and developers filed plans for 90,000 units with Miami-Dade building officials. But as the market started cooling and the foreclosures started rising, dozens of proposed condos were scrapped. While 22,000 units will be absorbed more quickly than 80,000, there is growing concern over who will occupy these units in Miami's less-than-vibrant urban core. Real estate analyst Michael Cannon summed it up, ''You have successful buildings next door to troubled projects that should never have been built. And, more broadly, we know Brickell is a successful market but we don't know what type of person buys in the central business district, or in Midtown. The jury is out.''
Well, this certainly answers the question posed above regarding who will buy in Miami's central business district. OK, technically, squatters are not buyers, but they are helping to fill some otherwise lonely units in downtown Miami. With 260 units in foreclosure, the condo association at the 800-unit Club at Brickell Bay has had its share of financial challenges, but the presence of squatters raises serious concerns regarding building access and the safety of residents. The no-nonsense property manager (photo) showed a Miami Herald reporter the 33rd floor condo where the door had been kicked in, toiletries were left in the bathroom and clothes were left in the dryer. As a parting shot, Jackson Pollock was kind enough to pour black paint all over the condo's marble floor. (Video link)
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