A reminder: BK1 News is based on facts, documents and evidence — not rumors.
Brickell Key is now tangled in lawsuits involving condo associations, Swire, the BKMA even the City of Miami— and each other.
But let’s focus on what this means to you as a BK1 owner.
BK1 Has Five Open Lawsuits
- BK1, with three other Brickell Key condos, vs. BKMA
- BK1, with four other Brickell Key condos, vs. Swire
- BK1 vs. the prior owner of O-205 and BKMA
- A penthouse owner vs. BK1, Olena Biletska and Julius Barbat
- An end-unit owner vs. BK1
To an outsider, five open lawsuits can make BK1 look like a highly litigious association. If nothing else it suggests issues.
Those outsiders can include mortgage lenders, insurance companies and potential buyers.
I already know of four BK1 units in 2026 that have encountered loan denials or significant financing problems.
More litigation certainly doesn’t make that problem easier.
More Than $50,000 — So Far
As of this writing, We (BK1) have spent more than $50,000 on litigation involving BKMA and Swire.
All of this before much of the costly work that can come with depositions, document production, mediation and trial.
These attorneys are billing for their time. There is no contingency arrangement where they only get paid if we win.
You are paying these legal bills
And there is another twist:
BK1 owners are also contributing through BKMA dues toward the cost of defending BKMA in litigation brought by BK1 and other associations.
Yes — we’re paying lawyers on both sides
The Civil War Gets Bigger
The newest lawsuit is Tequesta One vs. BKMA, Swire, Isola, St. Louis and the City of Miami.
I’ve already heard rumors that Tequesta One is likely to win because its lawsuit involves ecological issues and species living in the rocks around the seawall.
There’s just one problem:
I read the lawsuit. There is ZERO reference to that.
There is a point to be made: Ask for evidence, verify what people tell you. Below is a copy of the lawsuit without the exhibits to save space.
As of this writing quick research so far shows no news about any endangered species on Brickell Key. Should that be case it could increase the cost of the project.
One of Tequesta One’s major arguments instead involves a 2006 covenant between Swire and the City of Miami addressing responsibility for seawall maintenance.
Who has the better legal interpretation?
That’s now for the lawyers and courts to fight over.
And fight they will.
Because whether these lawsuits are won or lost, the lawyers still get paid.
The Question Nobody Has Answered
What happens if BK1 loses?
We know our legal fees are gone.
If we lose, could BK1 also become responsible for some of the legal fees or costs incurred by Swire or BKMA?
How much money could ultimately be at risk?
These are exactly the kinds of questions owners deserve to have answered before their money is committed to prolonged litigation. Instead, they remain largely undiscussed by our Board.
Five open lawsuits. More than $50,000 already spent on just the Swire/BKMA litigation. Financing problems already affecting owners.
And potentially much larger legal bills still ahead.
Remember this when you vote in the Board election less than four months from now.