Hotel Deauville (Miami)

Following an electrical fire that closed the hotel in 2017, Meruelo has been embroiled in a public controversy, being accused of deliberately allowing the building to fall into disrepair so it could be demolished for development.

A limited liability company associated with him has been fined multiple times by the City of Miami Beach for such violations.

Apparently the Napoleon Ballroom, where The Beatles had played is the last part of the hotel remaining and is soon to be demolished.

The owner of the Miami Dolphins, Stephen M. Ross, had plans to purchase the property and build two towers on the site, one hotel and one luxury condominium.

But due to the planned towers exceeding current city height codes, the proposal placed on the November 8, 2022 ballot, was voted against by residents.