The rest of the units are above shops on Rosemary Avenue. Officials with CityPlace's residential builder, The Related Group of Florida in Miami, ask people to be patient. Doreen Jaworski, who oversees the apartments for Related, said her staff responds to complaints immediately. She insists the problems are temporary and minor, and are overshadowed by a list of amenities that includes a spa, pool and 13-seat private movie theater. A tenant survey going out this month will give residents a chance to express any concerns, he said.
Tenant complaints are typical for new residential projects, real estate experts say.
Lawrence Ullrich, a broker at Rent Florida in West Palm Beach who has placed a few clients at CityPlace, said he has known tenants to exaggerate problems, hoping to get out of their leases. He says Related just needs time to work out the bugs. The trouble with the townhouses and condominiums, most of which line Fern Street and Hibiscus and Sapodilla avenues, has been slow delivery. Related blames that on a shortage of skilled laborers. All the townhouses and condos have been sold, Massey said.