I have decided to keep Champlain Towers South on this website as a memorial and a reminder of what happened here, the lives that were lost, and the changes in building safety and condominium laws that followed this tragedy.
I live across from the site and experienced the impact of this disaster firsthand. I knew people who lived in the building—some who tragically lost their lives and others who survived in the portion of the building that remained standing. This tragedy deeply affected our Surfside community and changed the way Florida looks at the safety, inspection, maintenance, and structural integrity of condominium buildings.
This page remains here to honor those who lost their lives, those who survived, their families, and everyone whose life was forever changed by the collapse of Champlain Towers South.
Champlain Towers South was a 12-story oceanfront condominium building located at 8777 Collins Avenue in Surfside, Florida. Completed in 1981, the building was part of the Champlain Towers condominium complex and stood along the beachfront for approximately 40 years.
On June 24, 2021, Champlain Towers South suffered a catastrophic partial collapse, resulting in the deaths of 98 people. The tragedy profoundly affected the families of those who were lost, survivors, first responders, and the entire Surfside and South Florida community. The remaining portion of the building was subsequently demolished.
The collapse of Champlain Towers South became a major catalyst for changes to condominium safety laws in Florida. In the years following the tragedy, the state adopted new requirements focused on structural inspections, reserve studies, reserve funding, and greater transparency for condominium owners.
Key changes include:
The laws and requirements governing Florida condominiums have continued to evolve since the initial reforms following the Champlain Towers South tragedy. Condominium owners and prospective buyers should review current Florida law, applicable local requirements, association financial records, inspection reports, reserve studies, and other available building documentation when evaluating a specific condominium.
Champlain Towers South will forever be part of Surfside's history. Beyond the building itself, this page is dedicated to remembering the 98 people who lost their lives and recognizing the survivors, families, first responders, rescue workers, and community members affected by the tragedy.
May the lessons learned from what happened here continue to contribute to safer condominium buildings and communities throughout Florida and beyond.
