After already facing two contract disputes, Boca Raton’s $1 billion Via Mizner multi-purpose project is now faced with 11 additional active unpaid construction work claims worth $4 million.
The property, owned by Penn-Florida Companies, includes three residential developments under construction in downtown Boca Raton, FL.
As of September 30, 2020, 11 mechanics lien claims have been placed on the development’s newly constructed 101 Via Mizner Luxury Apartments.
A mechanics lien is a payment remedy for unpaid contractors. It places a claim against the property title where a contractor performed their services.
All 11 mechanics lien claims were processed with the Palm Beach County clerk’s office pursuant to Florida statutes governing mechanics liens.
11 Contractors owed $4.2M
Nearly a dozen subcontractors are claiming payments of $4,212,419.51 following the construction of the 101 Via Mizner Luxury Apartments, located at 101 E Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL.
Of the 11 known liens, subcontractor Straticon, LLC owes contractors $4,146,096.34 from eight different unpaid work claims.
The largest claim to date against Straticon was filed on September 4, 2020 by subcontractor Areda Construction, which claims they are still owed $1,994,007.55. According to Areda’s lien affidavit, the contractor furnished concrete and masonry materials between May of 2019 and June of 2020.
Areda Construction has since been involved in two mechanics lien claims with several additional subcontractors, totaling $55,260.01 in unpaid work as of September 21, 2020.
Subcontractor Doka USA, LTD has filed the second-largest lien claim against the project, which was also filed against Straticon. Doka’s claim, valued at $668,427.59, was filed just two days prior to Areda Construction’s lien. The sub provided labor and materials for concrete framework between October 2019 and August 2020.
On August 7, 2020, G Proulx Building Products, LLC filed a lien claim against Sraticon for $480,933.03 after contributing to the project from May 2019 until June 2020.
In July 2020, Suntech Plumbing and Mechanical Corporation claimed they were owed $334,428.10 from Straticon. The sub began servicing the project in March of 2019, and as of their filing from July 24th, the sub was still contributing to the project.
After agreeing to a contract valued at $2.3M with Straticon, subcontractor Cemex Construction Materials Florida, LLC claims they are still owed $272,766.62 as of September 17, 2020.
Via Mizner Litigation
Beyond the 11 mechanics lien claims against Penn-Florida Companies — and their luxury apartment complex — are two complaints filed by the project’s GC and a fellow subcontractor.
In April of 2019, general contractor Moss & Associates reportedly filed a lawsuit for breach of contract worth $2M based off a $75 million contract with Penn-Florida Companies.
The lawsuit was filed nearly two years after Moss & Associates’ original March 2017 mechanics lien claim of $2,134,766.04 against the Via Mizner development.
Additionally, subcontractor Raymond Building Supply, LLC has also been involved in litigation with the Penn-Florida Companies as of February 7, 2020, according to a complaint filed with the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida.
The subcontractor’s complaint requests the overseeing court to enter a judgment and award damages in the amount of $91,668.05. This represents the funds still withheld from the contractor.
Between the 11 active unpaid lien claims and the two ongoing litigation battles, Penn-Florida Companies allegedly owes $6,438,853.60 to 13 different contractors.