James Ferrara Comments in The New York Times on Stalled Boca Raton Luxury Condo Project

Hinshaw partner James Ferrara was quoted in articles by both The New York Times and New York Post discussing the Via Mizner development in downtown Boca Raton, Florida, and condo buyers still waiting for the unfinished Residences at the Mandarin Oriental tower nine years later.

A Project Nine Years Behind Schedule

Developer Penn-Florida Companies announced Via Mizner in 2015, with completion originally expected in late 2017. Nine years later, only the rental apartments are open, while the hotel portion is in bankruptcy.

The condo building is facing a foreclosure lawsuit from a lender claiming nearly $418 million, and the developer has sued the lender. Construction has stopped indefinitely, and buyers of at least 20 condo units are seeking refunds of their deposits.

Impact on the Community

James represents nearly a dozen unit buyers who are seeking a return of their deposits and shared his views on the project's impact on the community and what may influence buyers' decisions next:

A Highly Visible Problem for the Boca Raton Community

Speaking as a fellow Boca Raton resident, James said that "when you enter the city along the main thoroughfare, there's this shell of a building, and it's been a shell of a building for almost eight years. Nobody is happy with it."

Brand Affiliation May Lead Buyers to Seek Their Deposits Back

Mandarin Oriental has sent the developer a termination notice, and it remains unclear whether the famous hotel brand will stay with the project. James said this is a key pressure point for buyers:

"People in Boca Raton, they like the sizzle. If all of a sudden it's no longer going to be a Mandarin Oriental, at that point I think we're going to get more people trying to get out of their contracts."

• • The New York Times: "They Promised Luxury Condos. $1 Billion Later, Buyers Are Still Waiting." (October 21, 2026)

• • New York Post: "Inside the $1B Boca Raton luxury condo disaster" (October 21, 2026)

If you are a real estate buyer seeking legal advice, please contact James Ferrara or your Hinshaw attorney.