The developer behind the project is the Related Group, founded by the billionaire art collector Jorge M. Pérez
Carlie Porterfield
7 April 2023
Miami officials voted this week to allow work to continue on new luxury high rise buildings being developed by one of the city’s billionaire art collectors even after ancient Indigenous artefacts dating back thousands of years were discovered during construction.
After beginning construction on three Baccarat-branded luxury high-rise towers in Miami’s upscale Bricknell neighbourhood, artefacts were discovered that archaeologists believe are linked to the Tequesta people, one of the earliest Native American groups that occupied the area. Archeologists found pieces of pottery and artefacts made of bone at the site, along with fragments of human remains.
On 4 April, the City of Miami’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board met to determine a course of action in response to outcry from local residents, including Native American activists and archaeologists. The board voted to allow two of three planned towers to go up. The board voted to withdraw a proposal that would designate one lot that has already been dug up as historic if developers prepare a plan of action for the site. In another vote, board members approved taking steps toward designating a third lot, which has not been excavated, as a landmark.
"This site is significant because it represents … the birthplace of Miami. This is a place, just like this is prime real estate today, this was prime real estate 2,000 years ago," William Pestle, an anthropologist at the University of Miami, told NBC Miami.
More:
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2023/04/07/miami-officials-approve-luxury-high-rise-despite-native-american-site
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