Ever since the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Miami, every high rise in South Florida had to be inspected and repaired to make sure that tragedy never happens again. Buildings three stories or taller, especially those near the coastline, are subject to mandatory milestone inspections, often every 10 years, to ensure structural integrity. These inspections, mandated by Florida Statute 553.899, help identify potential safety hazards and ensure buildings meet structural safety standards.

Everyone is grateful that we have these new rules and regulations. However, we all have been living in a constant construction zone for almost two years with perhaps another year to go. That means our windows were covered over, our balconies were closed off, no use of pools or other outside amenities, and several hours a day of loud disturbances from hammering and drilling.

The most dramatic event for many of us is when a helicopter is flying very close over our building to deliver necessary equipment. It’s unnerving to hear the roar of the engines and the winds that are created directly over our heads.

On Wednesday, April 30, 2025, there was a helicopter flyover and mobilization of equipment taking place at our property, This was in preparation for the elevators modernization project. The Miami Beach Police Dept.was on hand to assist with coordination and safety measures throughout the event. This is how we were notified and  prepped.

Murano at Portofino – Helicopter Flyover and Mobilization – Important Update – 4.29.25

Time: 9:30AM – 12:30PM

*Weather permitting

What to Expect: 

• Main Entrance – The main entrance and circular driveway will be temporarily closed and there will be a temporary access point to the building during the mobilization. Our staff will be stationed to direct visitors and residents to the main lobby.
• Garage Exit – Residents must use the rear gate located on the north side of the building to exit the garage during the helicopter mobilization. Please proceed with caution when exiting the garage.
• Valet Service: Our valet team will be temporarily stationed away from the front entrance of the building to ensure safe access to the vehicles.
• Front Gate – The front gate will be used only to enter the garage, please note our valet staff will be stationed at the front gate during the closure of the circular driveway. Please proceed with caution when entering the garage.
• Visitors & Guests – Please note our team will be directing guests to Tower 1 to reach the lobby level while the front entrance is closed due to the mobilization.
• Beach Club – Access to the Beach Club will be restricted from 9AM – 12:30PMwhile the helicopter performs multiple drop off’s.
• Dog Park – Access to the dog park will be temporarily restricted starting at 7:30AM to allow our elevator company to stage their equipment safely, and will reopen after the mobilization has been completed.
• Marina Boardwalk: Some areas will be temporarily closed, and pedestrian traffic will be detoured during the flyover. These areas will reopen once the helicopter operation is complete.
• Please be aware that you will likely experience increased aerial activity and temporary noise during this time. We recommend closing your shades/blinds during this time for privacy.
• We kindly ask all residents with balconies overlooking Fisher Island to remove or secure any loose items from their terraces before the event, due to the helicopter’s proximity and potential downdraft.

If you have any questions please contact the Management office. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during this time. It hasn’t been an easy process for everyone in South Florida, but we had no choice. Better to be safe than sorry