Palm Beach billionaire Jeff Greene is firing back in a legal battle with general contractor Kast Construction, claiming the company overcharged and mismanaged the development of his $300 million One West Palm project, resulting in significant delays and added costs. The countersuit, filed on July 29, follows a June lawsuit by Kast, which alleged Greene’s company, 1370 S. Ocean, owes more than $4 million in fees for work on the unfinished twin-tower complex.
The lawsuit centers around One West Palm, a 30-story development located at 550 S. Quadrille Blvd. Initially slated for completion in 2021, the project remains unfinished six years after construction began, frustrating local business owners and residents. The mixed-use complex is set to feature 328 apartments, 200,000 square feet of office space, a 201-room hotel, and a variety of luxury amenities.
Kast Construction’s lawsuit accuses Greene of causing delays by persistently changing the project’s design and scope, withholding approvals, and interfering with construction progress. The contractor claims these actions led to the ongoing construction delays, which have drawn the ire of the local community.
In his countersuit, Greene paints a different picture. He claims Kast’s lawsuit was nothing more than a rush to court to gain an advantage, knowing a countersuit was imminent. Greene further alleges that Kast’s poor management led to numerous costly mistakes, including approving subcontractor drawings that resulted in an expensive fix to elevator openings, which cost Greene more than $122,000.
Greene’s lawsuit goes further, accusing Kast of inflating the billing rates of key employees by 60% or more and charging overage fees without prior approval. The lawsuit also claims Kast stole "tens of thousands" of dollars worth of property, including two-way radios, office supplies, and tools. Kast’s Chief Executive Michael Neal declined to comment on the allegations.
In addition to the lawsuit with Kast, Greene is also locked in a legal battle with the project’s subcontractor, Baker Concrete Construction Inc. Greene's company sued Baker in 2022, alleging overpayment of more than $1 million. Baker countersued, claiming it is owed over $2.8 million in fees. Greene’s countersuit against Kast seeks to have the contractor indemnify his company against all claims by Baker.
Despite the ongoing litigation, Greene remains optimistic about the future of One West Palm. He has since replaced Kast Construction with Bluewater Builders, the same contractor responsible for recent renovations at Greene’s Tideline Hotel in Palm Beach. Construction on one tower, which includes 328 apartments, has progressed significantly, while work on the second tower, featuring office space and hotel rooms, continues.
Greene stated that construction is picking up speed and expects the project to be completed by late 2024 or early 2025. Once finished, One West Palm will offer a variety of amenities, including a 34,000-square-foot fitness center with a putting green, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a day care center, and an upscale restaurant.
Reach out to The Mastropieri Group today to embark on your real estate journey with our expert realtors in Boca Raton. Give us a call at 561-544-7000 to discuss how we can assist you in achieving your real estate goals. Whether you're buying, selling, or looking for investment opportunities, our team is ready to offer expert advice and support to help you navigate the dynamic South Florida real estate market. Let us put our expertise to work for you and turn your real estate ambitions into reality.
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