Even though the Broward County Commission decided not to stop developer Asi Cymbal's relocation of the 80 year old Champion Rain Tree (the largest Albizia Saman in the US) to build his Marina Lofts project by starchitect Bjarke Ingels, it's now the Fort Lauderdale City Commission's turn to have their say. They'll take up the matter this spring. But while NIMBYs get all pessimistic about the tree's likelihood of survival, Asi remains optimistic that everyone can have their cake and eat it too. To that end, he's hired a company known for successfully relocating famous trees, designed a park for the tree in its new location, and commissioned a fabulous building to go in its place, because "It's not my intent to have the soul of an 80-year-old vanquished rain tree following me around" he says. Ohhh, creepy.
· Rain Tree coverage [Curbed Miami]
· Marina Lofts coverage [Curbed Miami]
· Moving An Octogenarian Is Tough, Especially One That Put Down Roots [WSJ]