Overview
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology said Monday that failures in two connections between garage columns and the pool deck in early June 2021 caused cracks to grow and loads to shift over about three weeks before the June 24 collapse that killed 98 people.
- NIST tied the weak initial connections to long-standing problems in the building’s original design and construction, noting the structure fell short of code-required strength in some areas.
- Investigators found later additions to the pool deck—heavy planters, sand and thick pavers—and long-term corrosion further reduced safety margins and helped the damage spread.
- Photos and witness accounts showed warning signs in the weeks before the collapse, including a large crack in a planter wall, a gate that jammed after dipping, and worsening water leakage into the garage.
- Families said the findings offer limited accountability as NIST finishes a final report with code and practice recommendations, while the site’s 2022 purchaser, Damac, has paused construction, reported no condo sales, and a nearby memorial remains unresolved.