I watched this video 3 times. Not once did they say that he actually lives there. There’s many references to it being his property, but they didn’t say he’s actually a resident of the home.
They did leave him alone. He's still in his damn home. This is exactly how it works. He was offered money for his property and he didn't want to sell. He's still living in it and they left him alone. He doesn't own the property around him though.
It made me a bit emotional because when asked about his parents, you can tell how much the man loves them and is trying to preserve their memory. Cuba in the 80s was no joke and his parents fought tooth and nail to purchase that home and his son is doing everything he can to honor them. Corporate real estate developers wouldn’t know the first thing about honor or doing the right thing - they're complete assholes.
There are now 500 more people able to live in a similar dream in a walkable area. Humans are suckers for a sob story, but the end result is more housing = more happy lives.
Do you think it is wrong for the developer to make him an offer? That is all they did. There is nothing dishonorable about that. He and his mother decided to stay so they built the hotel on the land they already owned, which is their right to do so. Why is this a problem?
@@Life_as_Game Depends. Housing projects also have a history of becoming ghettos or centers of gang activity (such as Jordan Downs in Watts, of which the film "Menace II Society" was based on and filmed at).
@@Life_as_Game You know that this home owner is not the problem. These companies are advantageous of people. Most of the companies making these high rises are the same companies holding thousands of homes hostage for rent only. Its not about the location, its the principle of that fact that these companies act as if waving money around is the ultimate power. The greed is going to consume all the available land and monopolize it so that they can cherry pick who can afford living in these "luxury" high rises. Nobody rents an apartment because its wonderful and amazing living with upstairs neighbors, they rent so they can hopefully save up for a home because apartments are supposed to be affordable. Constantly raising rent prices, which big corporations will always do if they legally can, make sure to prevent that.
For context our rent went up $600 when we lived in an apartment, those luxury high rises are incredibly predatory, cheaply built, and have no regard to the locals or the land its built on.
How is it right that someone can build a structure around someone's home that practically blocks out the sky? They totally ruined his property. Because they had the money to do it.
@@thedevilsadvocate5210 in China they quite literally built a motorway more or less through where a person's house was. Lanes of fast busy traffic that skirt around the house.
that is the most important question to me, WHO was bribed to permit this!!? There are rules about distances and heights of NEW buildings to be built, so HOW did the developper even get Permission from the resp authorities to build o close to the existing home of this man???! SMELLS of bribery.
Bless his heart. I am proud of that man for standing his ground and proving not everyone comes with a price tag and his cherished respect for that his parents dream meant to them is not for sale.
I once owned a condo with ocean view. Then a building was built in front and I no longer had full ocean view just a sliver. Things can change and there’s nothing you can do. I lost tremendous value in my property.
I think this situation is slightly different to the condo you had with its ocean view. The difference being that whilst looking at your condo view, a normal investor buyer would question his agent about the parcel of land waiting to be developed impacting the view from your condo your agent used as his way to have you buy. Either inexperienced or gullible, many ppl investing money into a view would look to ask these things. A man that has the knowledge to know, that money can't buy happiness or a spine, that what he had was cherished far more than cash. To think that a government can allow a development, it's very build to bully him and his property speaks volumes. That they would deprive him of his rights to peace and health in his age. To restrict his viewing of sunlight, to never witness a sunrise or sunset is a way of punishment of this man's morals, that there would never be a value that could compare to his "Castle". Good Australian movie about the powers of one man's fight to keep his "castle" from government acquisition. As quoted in the movie, "a man's home is his castle". Money can't buy everything, sure as didn't buy you common sense cos you wanted a condo view and now you have neither.
@veryslyfox I work in real estate law and mark my word at the end of the day if this man decides to sell he will get double or more than any of his previous neighbors did
What aggravates me is, they put a bar right next to his house. If they couldn't get him out one way, now they will try a different way. I am glad he said, even that won't make him go.
@@orion7741 it’s his house, not the developer’s, so get fucked. We’re all equal in our rights to our own property, regardless of having a few dollars more or not.
@@brucekrause2801 it’s funny because the homeless problem stems from lack of community… quite the coincidence here lol. Comment this on some drug or SA related story because that’s more fitting honestly. This man is upset because his property of over 40 years that his immigrant parents bought is being ruined bc of a shopping center. Hop off your soapbox in RUclips comments and maybe go help the homeless yourself brother.
But he knew that this was going to happen. If that was so important to him, then he should have sold the house. I understand the meaning of the house to him, but refusing to sell has impacted a lot of the pleasures in his life. Assuming that they offered him enough money, he could have moved somewhere where he could continue to look at the stars and enjoy the sun.
I grew up in Queens NY and one older lady held Macy's hostage because she would not sell her corner lot house to them so that they could build a "round" store on Queens Blvd in Elmhurst. I always loved that lady. The store was built, but was not completely round. Because of her property line, it had to be built with a indentation to accommodate her fence line. Awesome.
Probably she was advised to hold out longer in order to make an obscene profit. In most of these cases, the homeowners regret not selling out, but at the time they were probably advised that the developer would pay more. It's a gamble that homeowners sometimes lose.
They probably offered at least twice what his home was worth, but he was greedy and held out for more and they called his bluff and decided to build around him.
@@Mark-rw3kw I know of people who were bought out for big developments and they made a ton of money. The best thing that can happen to a home owner is massive development like this. You get a huge pile of money that you can then go move wherever you want.
A community isn't a hotel and a shopping district. It's this house, his family and the neighborhood that once was. Neighbors are people you know, not "guests" staying a few nights in a room that blocks any view of the sun or the moon. You can't always replace a community by bulldozing it, then throwing large sums of money at developers...
This project was pure greed and never should have been given building permits. Unfortunately money rules this society and nobody gives a crap about the little guy when there is a buck to be made.
This reminds of of “Up” the movie. Love his story, damn developers thinking they can throw money at people and own everything. Good for him, standing his ground. Touches my heart❤️
There's a house here L.A. in a row of apartment buildings on one street and the family refuses to sell it. It's close to us and it kinda sticks out. I've seen it since 2006 and they even have parties in it. Good for the guy in the video and F Loews and shame to the city for Coral Gables for being asses about it.
Interestingly I was looking for a different film reference... one that (so far) no one else has mentioned. The second 'Herbie' film, "Herbie Rides Again", is almost literally the same as this story. Here is the initial plot line taken verbatim from it's Wikipedia entry; "Notorious real estate magnate and demolition baron Alonzo A. Hawk is ready to build his newest office building, the 130-story Hawk Plaza in San Francisco. His only obstacle is the 1892 firehouse inhabited by "Grandma" Steinmetz, widow of its former owner, Fire Captain Steinmetz, and aunt of mechanic Tennessee Steinmetz. Hawk's numerous attempts at evicting Mrs. Steinmetz have been unsuccessful, while the construction workers are growing impatient with Hawk's alleged indecision, reminding him that the whole thing is costing him $80,000 a day." So happy to see this play out in real life!
Orlando Capote is only 65 years old and his mother lived until 94. I don't know what use his home is to them anymore, once they started construction of the hotel, which would have been much different if he had sold out. They are certainly not going to pay what they offered him before.
If he's smart he puts the ownership of the house on a trust. I believe a trust should have a goal, like helping the poor. Either way, as long as the trust exists as owner, the house also stays. Should contact a lawyer about that.
@@scorchedearth1451 Putting the home in a trust doesn't make any difference. He can have a will and name his beneficiaries, the same way a trust names beneficiaries. Otherwise it would go to closest relative, but not sure that any relatives exist. But he is only 65 years old and still working, and his mother lived to 94. If he wanted to help the poor, he would have sold to the developers. The new $600 million mixed use development project has employed thousands of construction workers, and will employ thousands of low wage workers permanently going forward, including the staff needed for the hotel (especially low wage workers like housekeepers). In addition, the sales tax, city hotel occupancy tax, and property taxes will generate 10's of millions of dollars each year to fund public schools, and other city/county expenditures, including those helping those in need.
Hell yeah, fight the establishment, the lobbyist, and all the municipal commissioners who took those fat envelopes to try and drive this honorable man out of his home. "nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use"
“Honorable” man? He probably wasn’t offered what he wanted. He didn’t even work to buy or build the house…he inherited it. He might be a bum who just lived off his parents until they passed. Who knows.
My husband and I bought our place in 1982 in, Sydney, Australia and now the developers have built up to our fence line and our neighbour’s and our two properties are left at the end of a cul de sac. They don’t want to give us enough to live in a similar area and think we should be happy to move 1) further from a railway station, 2) further from the shops and further from our daughter who is less than fifteen minutes from us and works even closer! I’m with him. It’s the family home and has irreplaceable memories.
In my younger days, I used to drive around Coral Gables, wishing and hoping I could live there one day. This gentleman's home is the Coral Gables I remember and used to love. Luxury hotels are everywhere, but that old Coral Gables mystique and elegance is, or was, unique.
I would advise my children to take the money. At the time, he was probably offered well above market value. That would be my legacy: the opportunity to leave more to his children. Market value is probably next to nothing today - the pool of buyers is very, very small.
I just hope when he passes he has someone to pass the home to that won’t budge as well and will keep it there. Hell he outta try and get it protected by the historical society
I mean that's fair, but that also leaves him with no right to complain. He inconvenienced their plans for his personal beliefs, and while it's sad, I'm also sure the developer offered him very decent compensation more than once. Pride goeth before the fall.
This reminds me of the house in Seattle! The lady wouldn't sell her house, even for a million dollars what the developers and city offered. Even though she has passed on, the house still sits vacant between the development! So even in death, she still wins!☺️
He wasn't bullied. The offered to buy his home, at probably twice what it was worth, and he declined (most likely because he thought they would offer even more because he is greedy).
Good for him not selling. He stood firm, developer gave him middle finger building around him, and owner still remains strong. Good for you man. Never sell. Screw those greedy developers.
The negative thing is that from lack of sunlight, his house most likely has a major mold issue. 😳 We lived in an apartment that was positioned to barely get any kind of natural light, and the mold was horrible. Living in a State that is coastal probably makes it worst for him😬. I can only imagine how much he is suffering from all the mold issue.
@@Runner8617 Most florida homes are built of sealed concrete - and this one is in Miami Dade Metro so it definitely follows codes. Because they are sealed concrete there are means to have ventilation - and mold control is easy to do if its not an old house (that one was built in the 1980s - there for it is not what would be considered and "old house" = because it would still have modern dehumidification amenities such as fans and forced air.)
So, can you tell me who didnt work hard to buy their home and if thats the case, no one would ever sell a home if it was inherited because "my parents worked their whole life" to pay for it. by the way, how many people can say their home is paid off before they die ? He is going to suffer more than they do because, he had to endure, 2 years of loud construction and now 24/7 in and out traffic along with restaurant noise and people out and about at all times of the night and here is the kicker, he is now in a commercial zone which means there is no noise ordinance . So, is that really worth the headache because my parents worked hard to buy a house.. they probably worked hard to buy a car too, but why would you keep a car just because they worked hard to buy one
Is he though.. he could be a complete dik. The “sweetest people” usually don’t put up fights like this.. they go easy. This guy had a chance to walk away with a huge chunk of cash, but instead chose to resist and now he’s pretty much lost everything. I think the developer even offered to move his house for him, but this fight was about principle for this guy. He admitted that he thought if he held his ground, they would not be able to build. I’m rooting for him in one sense… but he’s not humble, he’s an idiot and hard headed.. definitely not the “sweetest person”. His mother died in a rehabilitation center after falling in that house. Her last years living under torment from the construction and stress… instead of moving to a more peaceful place.
@@samsanimationcorner3820 - Maybe you failed to read my comment. I’m arguing the fact that this guy may not actually be “the sweetest” person. All signs point to him being otherwise. I may have also held out for quite a bit out of pure resentment and to screw over the builder… but I don’t consider myself as sweet. It would be a pure dik move. Tit for tat. But even I have my limits and know when to back down. If my mother was that old, I wouldn’t let her die in that house and deal with all that her last days. I would take the cash and try to get her mind off of it and in a better more rested, peaceful place. Yes, in the end, money matters. He could have been in a better place right now if he just took the cash. I don’t know if it was this video or another, but he’s miserable now. He was fighting a losing battle out of pure stubbornness. If the sentiment of the house is what mattered to him, he had an opportunity to still keep it. He was the last house on the block and instead of being “sweet” about it, he decided to pick a fight. Can you sit there and say, “this man is the sweetest person”? That’s my only argument.
@@HiThisIsMine There's a difference between being sweet and being a pushover. My Grandma Ruth, God rest her soul, was a very nice and caring lady. A sweet old lady. But she wouldn't take shit from anyone. She knew how to kick ass if needed. People are so afraid of confrontation now.
One of my favorite books as a kid was called "The Little House". It was exactly this story! Defiant right through being surrounded by modern skyscrapers.
It's insane. This is allowed to happen while in other single-family housing districts, it's a battle to just have a homeowner add something as simple as an in-law unit
Its a battle for the huge corporations too. The difference is that the big corporations have enough money to just keep throwing it at the municipalities until they break. if your average person had enough money they would have no problem adding on a in-law unit to the property.
To be fair it's Coral Gables, they're pretty pro-development. Certainly not like NYC, where you can't even change your windows without someone complaining!
My Grandmother always said. The first generation earns and the second one spends. Whatever sentimental high ground he’s standing on, although I respect the hell out of it, will be all for nothing when he dies. Either his children or grandchildren will eventually sell that house. I’d leave knowing I stood my ground as long as possible, take the money and go make new memories.
It's the zoning system, not the legal system. This is controlled by local elected officials. If businesses are not allowed to build commercial buildings, they will go elsewhere and tax revenues will suffer. The hotel pays significant real estate taxes to local schools and governments, plus the hotel occupancy tax rate is quite high in FL and goes straight to the city for the benefit of residences.
@@Mark-rw3kw Interesting, yeah but they should not have allowed them to change the zoning there. That was a residential area and they probably ruined the lives of dozens of homes around them too.
@@BrooklynAlien The other homeowners who sold likely got 2X what their home was worth, which is why they sold out, so I doubt it ruined their lives. The city (and citizens) get substantial property tax and hotel occupancy tax revenue for the hotel being there.
@@Mark-rw3kw I'm talking about all the homes that are still there. That used to live in a nice little subdivision full of little homes, now they live near this monster and all traffic and noise that happens all day. As long as money is involved these big companies can do whatever they want.
I bet their kicking themselves in the ass now. With all the inflations I'm sure they didn't even properly invested the money they acquired or its all spent up due to these hard times. They should have kept rheir properties now it's hard to even get land or a home.
@@johnlopez7488 I would cost at least a million dollars to convert to a restaurant, so he will just sell to someone else who will do it and has experience running restaurants.
Yes, read old development project of all the highways. Homes of so called Blacks taken away not been compensated for losing these homes and wealth. Especially during the 1950s to 1990s.. I'm sure he didn't care then when it happened to another group of individuals. Unfortunately, evil and greed have knocked on his doors at least he is being compensated.
The only thing I find wrong about it is the large planter box in his yard, unless it's not his yard. I don't own the sidewalk or median in front of my house even though they force me to keep it up. I also don't own the easement behind my property even though I am forced to maintain it. I can't build anything on it either
I admire this man so much. So tired of corporations destroying land and properties for their gain. I hope he as an air tight will. After his death the vulgaris will swoop in. We all know that.
Yes yes yes. So hold on to it. Im sure the commute to it for work and others is great. The surroundings are pleasant. The noise level is zero. There arent 9000 looky loos passing by. You do you then. 🤣
As a property owner this is the type of thing that scares me, developers snatching your neighborhood out right from under your feet. This is just one of many untold stories here in the US a big business wanting your real estate because they feel it's in a prime location.
Government also does it in a hear beat and don't give you a choice. Some business and homes where forced out to make way for an expended freeway exist. Yeah this is the kind of stuff you don't hear about, and it's really an injustice and terrible planing.
@@ChechiDLR I'm fully aware of eminent domain, but what I'm speaking about is a little more nefarious. Where I'm originally from in New York private realtors would set your building on fire if you didn't move when they told you to. That's just one of many things I know of happening to people, but they do think up a lot of other interesting ways to get rid of you besides just fire.
His family is from Cuba. This is much more than just about the house. It is about the severe struggle it took them to come here including risking their lives to do so, and what it took for them to get on their feet, likely going hungry to achieve this dream. I would love him as my neighbor. A strong,righteous,loyal man with principles,morals and values. The older videos on channel Yoel and Mari may explain things, what's is like being a Cuban coming to America.
I love how one of the visitors said that the house “looks like it shouldn’t be here”. The house was there first so which building really looks like it doesn’t belong?
I don't get the issue. Coral gables is literally right next to Miami. This area is begging to be more dense. There are so many other single family home neighborhoods to move to if you want to be in a suburb. This guy has every right to keep his home, but for everyone complaing what the developer is doing is "evil" and they are "destroying" a good neighborhoods is not seeing the big picture. He didn't live in some far out suburb well away from a dense city here, he lived 20 minutes west of downtown Miami
Ever since I have heard this story two years ago, it has touched my heart, and I always think about it. It reminds me EXACTLY of the first book I ever learned to read: The Little 🏡 House.
I loved that book! My mom used to tell me that story could easily have been her grandmother's house in Chicago. I had the good fortune of finally visiting her house (my great-grandmother's) in October. Sitting in between two high-rise apartment buildings.
@@PMGRadio yeah, because there are so many ways to parse "good for him." He has resolve and sticks to his values, but the value of the home his parents strived for has been demolished.
It isn't always about the property being bought. The guy who lived at the Fox theater in Atlanta was given a lifetime lease to an apartment, but they still tried to get him out when he got older. He had a lot of support & when he died he still had the apartment.
The hotel should embrace the guy. In fact they should offer him a complimentary meal at their restaurants at least once a week. And it wouldn't hurt their budget to give him a suite midweek on the top floor, so he may gaze out the window and see the evening stars and evening lights. Win-win. Show you have a ❤️.
Love this guy, despite the loss of his view the hustle n bustle of the hotel, he stuck to his guns and stuck up his middle finger to a big corporation, good for you sir!
@@wanaraz BS. Are you kidding? He is sitting on prime real estate. Also, it's now a tourist attraction which up's its' value. I hope he has that home in an irrevocable trust and it continues to stand as its' own unique thumb-print of love in a sea of greed.
@@d8bn It's not love and it's not greed. It's called business. Nobody would buy that house now for more than 50K. The buyer is in control now who don't need it but might buy it for a parking lot.
@@ImJamieX Yeah, and he should get access to the hotel rooftop so he can sit up there with his telescope and enjoy the stars from higher-up...with beverages of his choice brought to him for free.
They weren’t offering an exorbitant amount compared to the amount of money they were going to make using the square footage where his home currently is
@@Ntsmith4 That has to be the dumbest thing ive heard. The money the developers make with the property after he sells to them is irrelevant. He wasn't going to make that money with that property anyway.
@@eldiantre7346 You didn't read it correctly or something. She was saying that the developers could make an F ton of money using that small piece of property, especially before they started building, if he would have sold. And the price they were offering to him would not even be close to that amount of money. Even currently, if they were to buy it and add another tower or wing or whatever for more guests or whatever to make more revenue, it would still be more than they would offer him. Ok, I think you did read it correctly, but either way it should matter to him because that's like any other piece of property where you are asked to sell at a low price in order for a business to come in and make possibly millions, which could only be done by using your property. How does that not make sense?
Just think, when there's a hurricane, his house will be protected by all those buildings. It's too bad about them putting a bar next to him. That's downright nasty. Name the company responsible for that.
1000% respect for this man ! I have no doubt he held on for personal reasons , yet also he knows one day it will eventually have to be sold . I would love to see what was offered vs what it will eventually sell for .
@@MultiSUNFLOWER18 He could have taken that money and moved somewhere where he could continue to see the stars. I understand sentimental value of the house, but there comes a time when you have to practical. He created a very unpleasant surrounding for himself in the last years of his life.
@@cremebrulee4759 I agree. Or he could have also moved the house to a location nearby then he could still have the house and watch the stars. Now there is no chance to move the house. I know a family that had a 2 story house that lived near Joe's Stonecrab on South Beach. For years they didn't sell. They finally sold some years ago and I'm sure it was several for million dollars. I think it's a restaurant now. Last time I checked about 2 years ago. They were smart to wait and sell to get the most amount of money.
Standing on principle matters. He’s not for sale, and neither is his house. I hope it gets put into a trust for his children so it stays in the family and continues to be a thorn in the side of the bastards who tried to strong arm an elderly man out of the home where he has lived an entire life.
i am 50/50 on this. completely support and understand his position. but at the same time i dont care and dont want to hear you complain about the loss of your view. sometimes we have to stop holding on the the past and move forward. he is living for his parents who have probably been dead for years instead of living for himself. the dream of his parents was to come to america and build a great life. you can always remember the good times you had there and then go make new great memories somewhere else. now his life is not about remembering the good its only about being upset in the now.
He won't. The constant negativity will send him to an early grave. He should have taken their generous offer and bought a place where he could enjoy sunrises and sunsets. His parents would have wanted that.
This happened in Cincinnati years before they built a hotel and plaza. I remember as a little girl riding past and seeing one house left on a huge peice of land. It delayed construction and the elderly couple held out till they offered $1.2 Million. Smart people. I bet they didn't offer this man enough money
When he is ready to sell, he doesn't have to sell to the developer. I bet there is someone who would pay top dollar to be right in the middle of that place.
Should set up a company with a million shares in public ownership to buy the place. Set up with the requirement that 100% unanimity is required to sell!
My grandpa's neighborhood in Denver is that way. An automotive maintenance facility got bought, and they are going to build a massive 396 unit condo complex. Fortunately my grandpa is a couple blocks away, so his only issue will probably be traffic, but one guy my dad knows lives right next door to it, and he'll have 7 stories of balconies all looking directly down on his backyard, not only completely blocking his view of the mountains the house has had for 8 decades, but also the complete lack of privacy as well.
As someone said to me when they started building multistory townhouses all around my little house: time to start sunbathing in the nude. Fortunately, the new neighbors are delightful people who invite me to their parties. I was offered $1.2 million for my house and land, but would never leave my lovely new neighbors for parts unknown. They even ask to use my backyard clothesline which I happily allow.
I'm currently living in Colorado, and I can see this happening *everywhere.* This housing bubble can't burst quickly enough. And I have to admit, I'm so conflicted. I fully understand that multi-family dwellings are what makes housing available as opposed to single family homes... But no one should ever have their home stolen out from under them, or be bullied into giving up their property.
@@CameronCourts At least double that number, when you consider most apartments are 2 or 3 bedroom apartments. Plus, there is another 146 unit building already under construction across the street from the proposed complex, and overflow parking is already down the block. Not to mention those 1000+ people will all be sharing a 2 lane road that has had traffic issues since I was in high school 20 years ago. I'm not opposed to building housing, but Denver isn't struggling to find buildable land like we do here in the mountains. Build the new housing closer to the airport. The roads are wider, there is already commuter rail and shared transportation infrastructure in place, etc. They need to stop trying to cram huge apartment buildings into old neighborhoods that were never designed for that volume of traffic.
His little home adds value to the resort guests. I would book a room just to see the house and talk to the owner. He would have wonderful stories and could give insight into the neighborhood's past. Maybe one of the billionaires from the area could build him a tower with an observation deck so he could see sunsets again 👍
Reminds me of the lady who refused to sell her home in Atlantic City when the developers built the hotel/casino around her house. The bill of rights says people have the right to be secure in their possessions
Reminds me years ago the city of Jerusalem grew up around an elderly lady’s little goat farm. She worked very hard but it was the life she enjoyed and the property belonged to HER. So the goat farm remained surrounded by high rises
Her name was Vera Coking,she fought the first developer and won,she then fought Donnie Trump,the second developer, and won,in court he said " its only tenement housing, what's the big deal?",this did not impress the judge who started out in life in " tenement housing ",,, Donnie lost again...
They can only take what's yours if you agree to sell. You make it sound like they are doing something nefarious by making a good offer. The only way they can actually take your land is if they partner with the government and the government uses eminent domain.
They didn't try and take anything. They offered to buy his home and he refused. The developers have a right to build on the land they own. Most likely, they offered him way more than his home is worth, but he was probably greedy and unreasonable.
@@Mark-rw3kw @PeugeotRocket you’re really big fans of massive corporations aren’t you? It’s Friday guys, and it’s the middle of the day. Get a life. Im at work right now.
@@keelerrobinson5772 NO, I not a fan of massive corporations. They owned the land they purchased from his neighbors (not forced to sell) and they offered him a big premium for his home since he was the last holdout. He got greedy so they decided to build around him on the property they owned. All this stuff about forcing him out is BS. The man is a greedy fool.
@@keelerrobinson5772 I was at work when I posted that too smooth brain. I was on my lunch break. You just assume anyone posting during the middle of the day is not working? And for that matter you just assume they are in the same time zone as you? I could have been halfway around the world. That's two giant fails on your part. Also, yes, I am a big fan of corporations and small businesses. I'm a big fan of capitalism. But that's besides the point. The point is the developer did nothing wrong. People just want to complain and hate on the wealthy. 🤡
Absolutely fantastic. I am all for development and improvement, but you can't force people to sell/move/change if they don't want to. Great to see that man standing to his principles.
I remember showing this story to my mom in 2019, while her neighborhood was being bought house by house by the local college. She passed in 2021, the college bought her house in 2022, and it has since been moved 180 miles away. At least it is still going to be someone's home, but my childhood neighborhood is completely gone. Developers don't give a flip tho. They call it "progress".
You would care about him So much if You were the developer tho, of course. "Let's call off the multi-million dollar in profit, project.. A man might have to move." (like the average person does every 10 years anyway)
@@Mr.X_69_69 lets move you then, move out of your house, no ? But of course they will offer you half or less the value, not enough to rebuild. You would gladly take the offer I guess.
This reminds me of the real story that kind of inspired the movie UP. An old woman refused to sell her home and the developer was forced to build around it but not like what has happened to this man. In the end the old lady left the house to a construction worker who she made friends with and it still stands to this day as far as I know.
I'm glad he kept it and He Deserves to live in peace like any other home owner. If I were him...I would put up a nice big white fence on his property line and have a beautiful mural of his choice painted on his side 😁😁😁
Ive seen this happen in a neighbourhood in Canada with all elderly who were the original residents who built their homes there when it was all farmland. Eventually they raised taxes so high they had to sell even though they didnt want to as they could not afford to stay. Now obscure giant mansions are there that look hideous. It was the only area of the city that had large backyards and now all grass has turned to concrete and all the old trees are cut down, no greenery.
I live in a mid-size Southern Ontario city. Developers are busy building condo developments everywhere they can. Neighborhood after neighborhood people in houses are losing their view, their privacy and their property value with these condos looming over them and nobody cares. They are just SOL.
Why didn't you address the plight of the poor farmers who had to see their land cut down and greenery destroyed to make way for a crowded suburb? Maybe the farmers should have had the right to stop those greedy developers and the people who bought their homes.
It's disgusting the way he was so badly effected by the construction, no proper care for his safety was taken. Even if you have to accept things change around the area he should have been protected by the council. Even now the restaurant is right next to his home. Could there not hav been permission given but ensuring only quiet activity or a residence is right next to the house. Everything to shift him has been done and that is not right. At least the visitors seem to respect him.
Gotta give him props for hanging in there. At this point, I think I would fix it up super nice and rent it out as an AirBnb. It's already in a great spot with all the hotels restaurants and could probably better than any of there rooms.
We have this mentality that "development = good". That city and developer destroyed a neighborhood, with corporate greed. It's disgusting what they did to him and that area. I hope he never sells. His home reminds visitors of what was lost.
It was a cookie-cutter single-family neighborhood. There are literally millions of houses like that all across the US. There's nothing unique about them. This new development will contains tons of new condos, as well as new hotel rooms. Far more people can live there. This homeowner has every right to continue using his home however he pleases, just like the developers should be allowed to build the hotel.
The guy who refused to sell at an obscene price (probably at least twice what the house was worth) is the greedy one. This whole story is fake crocodile tears.
@@Tommy_Mac Give me a break. He was holding out for more money. All his neighbors already sold out, so the neighborhood was gone. This happens a lot when the final hold-out gets really greedy and they build around them, and the homeowner regrets not selling.
I always think of The Little House (1942) by Virginia Lee Burton whenever I hear these stories of longtime home owners fending off luxury real estate developers.
No, he is an example of pure greed. He thought they would go higher than the obscenely high price they offered, and they called his bluff. Happens all the time in real estate negotiations.
The man was lying. He was just holding out for more money (already way more than the house was worth) and the developers just finally said no and built around him. He is greedy and a fool.
@@PeugeotRocket It's not capitalist behavior. In a socialist society the government would have taken his property and paid fair market value and no more. In a society with private property, if they offer him 3x times what it is worth and he doesn't want to sell, then fine, they will have to build on the private property they own that they purchased from the other homeowners. No one is forcing him to leave, despite the claims of the reporters in the story.
I can't believe that man was able to live through years of that kind of construction noise! That hotel around him is massive!
Now he's got the best room on the whole property! 😌
I watched this video 3 times. Not once did they say that he actually lives there. There’s many references to it being his property, but they didn’t say he’s actually a resident of the home.
Nah he just rented a room in the hotel.....
Crazy what people will do for pride
I lived in Beijing, China in the late 90's and early 2000's. This was common for so many people in the city at that time.
Refuses to leave? From his own home ?
That’s insane
He doesn’t care about money , he cares about his memories and legacy
Well done Orlando
"refusees to leave" no. That's not how this works.
that's his damn home!
Leave the man alone.
Right
than stop crying.....
@@0o0ox *then. If you’re gonna talk sh*t, at least be grammatically correct. 🥴
@@0o0ox what is that supposed to mean?
They did leave him alone. He's still in his damn home. This is exactly how it works. He was offered money for his property and he didn't want to sell. He's still living in it and they left him alone. He doesn't own the property around him though.
It made me a bit emotional because when asked about his parents, you can tell how much the man loves them and is trying to preserve their memory. Cuba in the 80s was no joke and his parents fought tooth and nail to purchase that home and his son is doing everything he can to honor them. Corporate real estate developers wouldn’t know the first thing about honor or doing the right thing - they're complete assholes.
There are now 500 more people able to live in a similar dream in a walkable area. Humans are suckers for a sob story, but the end result is more housing = more happy lives.
Do you think it is wrong for the developer to make him an offer? That is all they did. There is nothing dishonorable about that. He and his mother decided to stay so they built the hotel on the land they already owned, which is their right to do so. Why is this a problem?
@@Life_as_Game Depends. Housing projects also have a history of becoming ghettos or centers of gang activity (such as Jordan Downs in Watts, of which the film "Menace II Society" was based on and filmed at).
@@Life_as_Game You know that this home owner is not the problem. These companies are advantageous of people. Most of the companies making these high rises are the same companies holding thousands of homes hostage for rent only. Its not about the location, its the principle of that fact that these companies act as if waving money around is the ultimate power. The greed is going to consume all the available land and monopolize it so that they can cherry pick who can afford living in these "luxury" high rises. Nobody rents an apartment because its wonderful and amazing living with upstairs neighbors, they rent so they can hopefully save up for a home because apartments are supposed to be affordable. Constantly raising rent prices, which big corporations will always do if they legally can, make sure to prevent that.
For context our rent went up $600 when we lived in an apartment, those luxury high rises are incredibly predatory, cheaply built, and have no regard to the locals or the land its built on.
How is it right that someone can build a structure around someone's home that practically blocks out the sky? They totally ruined his property. Because they had the money to do it.
Rich assholes. Money ruins everything
They do it in China all the time
@@thedevilsadvocate5210 in China they quite literally built a motorway more or less through where a person's house was. Lanes of fast busy traffic that skirt around the house.
that is the most important question to me, WHO was bribed to permit this!!? There are rules about distances and heights of NEW buildings to be built, so HOW did the developper even get Permission from the resp authorities to build o close to the existing home of this man???! SMELLS of bribery.
@@thedevilsadvocate5210 yeah, but where not in a lawless shythole like china....
Bless his heart. I am proud of that man for standing his ground and proving not everyone comes with a price tag and his cherished respect for that his parents dream meant to them is not for sale.
or because his family got bodies under there and he is taking to the grave lol.
So sad those developers are heartless demons. They must’ve tortured him daily
He's a stupid neurotic nut.
They don't care he'll die and they'll knock it down then.
No air right laws in coral gables unfortunately
This man's home 🏡 was here first when this was a residential neighborhood. A family was raised here . Why should this man be forced to move away?
He's not being forced... that's literally why he's still there..
he can move to a similar property. we need term limits to stop people like him.
On the other hand he has no right to dictate how others use the land around him
He shouldn’t be forced. He stayed. He got what he wanted sans beach and the stars! Home is going to be a unique boutique shop or tapas place someday.
@@SamSitar So you're condemning your own kind. I can say that you're willing to betray your own kind yes? No respect.
I once owned a condo with ocean view. Then a building was built in front and I no longer had full ocean view just a sliver. Things can change and there’s nothing you can do. I lost tremendous value in my property.
I think this situation is slightly different to the condo you had with its ocean view. The difference being that whilst looking at your condo view, a normal investor buyer would question his agent about the parcel of land waiting to be developed impacting the view from your condo your agent used as his way to have you buy. Either inexperienced or gullible, many ppl investing money into a view would look to ask these things. A man that has the knowledge to know, that money can't buy happiness or a spine, that what he had was cherished far more than cash. To think that a government can allow a development, it's very build to bully him and his property speaks volumes. That they would deprive him of his rights to peace and health in his age. To restrict his viewing of sunlight, to never witness a sunrise or sunset is a way of punishment of this man's morals, that there would never be a value that could compare to his "Castle". Good Australian movie about the powers of one man's fight to keep his "castle" from government acquisition. As quoted in the movie, "a man's home is his castle". Money can't buy everything, sure as didn't buy you common sense cos you wanted a condo view and now you have neither.
How can you not admire and respect this man for standing his ground?
because people like him are why there isn't enough housing
@veryslyfox he may be stubborn but far from mentally ill simply because he didn't choose to sell to a developer
@veryslyfox I work in real estate law and mark my word at the end of the day if this man decides to sell he will get double or more than any of his previous neighbors did
@veryslyfox why don't you look me up and see. Richard Yurko
@veryslyfox and while you're at it provide me your name so I can see what Walmart you work at
What aggravates me is, they put a bar right next to his house. If they couldn't get him out one way, now they will try a different way. I am glad he said, even that won't make him go.
they should put garbage dumpsters next to his house to. make him leave one way or another. its past time!
Nah
It’s obvious they are just trying to harass him out of the land.
@@orion7741 it’s his house, not the developer’s, so get fucked. We’re all equal in our rights to our own property, regardless of having a few dollars more or not.
@@orion7741 Just go hang out by his house, you’re garbage enough.
1:53 - When he said one of his hobbies was astronomy and that he misses seeing the sunset, my heart absolutely broke.
How come u alive ?
absolutely heartbreaking
Astronomy is studies of the stars. Not the sun
@@brucekrause2801 it’s funny because the homeless problem stems from lack of community… quite the coincidence here lol. Comment this on some drug or SA related story because that’s more fitting honestly. This man is upset because his property of over 40 years that his immigrant parents bought is being ruined bc of a shopping center. Hop off your soapbox in RUclips comments and maybe go help the homeless yourself brother.
But he knew that this was going to happen. If that was so important to him, then he should have sold the house. I understand the meaning of the house to him, but refusing to sell has impacted a lot of the pleasures in his life. Assuming that they offered him enough money, he could have moved somewhere where he could continue to look at the stars and enjoy the sun.
Great job to this man for standing up for his FREEDOM
I grew up in Queens NY and one older lady held Macy's hostage because she would not sell her corner lot house to them so that they could build a "round" store on Queens Blvd in Elmhurst. I always loved that lady. The store was built, but was not completely round. Because of her property line, it had to be built with a indentation to accommodate her fence line. Awesome.
I lived near that house. My uncle said she had a husband buried in the backyard.
Is it really that awesome to have a Macy's in your backyard though?
@@pab77777 Never heard about the husband. Thsts creepy. Did you go to Newtown HS?
The main Macy's store in Manhattan same thing. Building still on corner.
Probably she was advised to hold out longer in order to make an obscene profit. In most of these cases, the homeowners regret not selling out, but at the time they were probably advised that the developer would pay more. It's a gamble that homeowners sometimes lose.
"We even offered to buy his home"
As apposed to what, just killing him and stealing his property? The sickening ARROGANCE of this company is unreal.
Compared to his arrogance of staying?
Compared to your cold dead heart?
@@andrewryanwasright how is wanting to live in the home your family purchased arrogant?
They probably offered at least twice what his home was worth, but he was greedy and held out for more and they called his bluff and decided to build around him.
@@Mark-rw3kw I know of people who were bought out for big developments and they made a ton of money. The best thing that can happen to a home owner is massive development like this. You get a huge pile of money that you can then go move wherever you want.
A community isn't a hotel and a shopping district. It's this house, his family and the neighborhood that once was. Neighbors are people you know, not "guests" staying a few nights in a room that blocks any view of the sun or the moon. You can't always replace a community by bulldozing it, then throwing large sums of money at developers...
Because the city "leaders" are corrupt crooks
This project was pure greed and never should have been given building permits. Unfortunately money rules this society and nobody gives a crap about the little guy when there is a buck to be made.
Completely agree.
#JTobyMVanHalsema
💯💯💯💯!!!
This is why affordable housing has almost disappeared in the United States and there is a growing number of homeless people in America.
This reminds of of “Up” the movie. Love his story, damn developers thinking they can throw money at people and own everything. Good for him, standing his ground. Touches my heart❤️
I was looking for someone else that thought that... literally straight out of the movie minus the obvious fantasies
There's a house here L.A. in a row of apartment buildings on one street and the family refuses to sell it. It's close to us and it kinda sticks out. I've seen it since 2006 and they even have parties in it. Good for the guy in the video and F Loews and shame to the city for Coral Gables for being asses about it.
Interestingly I was looking for a different film reference... one that (so far) no one else has mentioned. The second 'Herbie' film, "Herbie Rides Again", is almost literally the same as this story. Here is the initial plot line taken verbatim from it's Wikipedia entry;
"Notorious real estate magnate and demolition baron Alonzo A. Hawk is ready to build his newest office building, the 130-story Hawk Plaza in San Francisco. His only obstacle is the 1892 firehouse inhabited by "Grandma" Steinmetz, widow of its former owner, Fire Captain Steinmetz, and aunt of mechanic Tennessee Steinmetz. Hawk's numerous attempts at evicting Mrs. Steinmetz have been unsuccessful, while the construction workers are growing impatient with Hawk's alleged indecision, reminding him that the whole thing is costing him $80,000 a day."
So happy to see this play out in real life!
The politicians and bureaucrats are even worse than the developers most of the time.
This is the Up movie and the Grumpy man
The sad part is you know they're waiting for him to pass unfortunately so they can swoop right in and take the last bit of land
Orlando Capote is only 65 years old and his mother lived until 94. I don't know what use his home is to them anymore, once they started construction of the hotel, which would have been much different if he had sold out. They are certainly not going to pay what they offered him before.
If he's smart he puts the ownership of the house on a trust.
I believe a trust should have a goal, like helping the poor.
Either way, as long as the trust exists as owner, the house also stays.
Should contact a lawyer about that.
@@scorchedearth1451 Putting the home in a trust doesn't make any difference. He can have a will and name his beneficiaries, the same way a trust names beneficiaries. Otherwise it would go to closest relative, but not sure that any relatives exist. But he is only 65 years old and still working, and his mother lived to 94.
If he wanted to help the poor, he would have sold to the developers. The new $600 million mixed use development project has employed thousands of construction workers, and will employ thousands of low wage workers permanently going forward, including the staff needed for the hotel (especially low wage workers like housekeepers). In addition, the sales tax, city hotel occupancy tax, and property taxes will generate 10's of millions of dollars each year to fund public schools, and other city/county expenditures, including those helping those in need.
@@Mark-rw3kw stop sucking off scummy developers & move on to the more better people.
He’s already got the balloons tied to the house. He’s just waiting for that cub scout kid to visit.
This is the Up film storyline in real life. Extraordinary. They call his house a relic but it has much more character than the hotel.
Hell yeah, fight the establishment, the lobbyist, and all the municipal commissioners who took those fat envelopes to try and drive this honorable man out of his home.
"nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use"
While I agree with you the case law is not on the side of Orlando. Kelo V New London.
“Honorable” man? He probably wasn’t offered what he wanted. He didn’t even work to buy or build the house…he inherited it. He might be a bum who just lived off his parents until they passed. Who knows.
My husband and I bought our place in 1982 in, Sydney, Australia and now the developers have built up to our fence line and our neighbour’s and our two properties are left at the end of a cul de sac. They don’t want to give us enough to live in a similar area and think we should be happy to move 1) further from a railway station, 2) further from the shops and further from our daughter who is less than fifteen minutes from us and works even closer! I’m with him. It’s the family home and has irreplaceable memories.
@@DWilliam1 Yeah that's it. You're spot on right there.
@@DWilliam1 if so he is a very smart man not squandering his money on rent.
In my younger days, I used to drive around Coral Gables, wishing and hoping I could live there one day. This gentleman's home is the Coral Gables I remember and used to love. Luxury hotels are everywhere, but that old Coral Gables mystique and elegance is, or was, unique.
Me too but that dream died a long time ago.
I respect this guy and his loyalty to his parents.
I would advise my children to take the money. At the time, he was probably offered well above market value. That would be my legacy: the opportunity to leave more to his children. Market value is probably next to nothing today - the pool of buyers is very, very small.
@@jakurdadov6375 yeah doubling if your in FL take that money and run
I just hope when he passes he has someone to pass the home to that won’t budge as well and will keep it there. Hell he outta try and get it protected by the historical society
I mean that's fair, but that also leaves him with no right to complain. He inconvenienced their plans for his personal beliefs, and while it's sad, I'm also sure the developer offered him very decent compensation more than once. Pride goeth before the fall.
I don't think he owes them any loyalty but if he wants to stay there then he has the right
This reminds me of the house in Seattle! The lady wouldn't sell her house, even for a million dollars what the developers and city offered. Even though she has passed on, the house still sits vacant between the development! So even in death, she still wins!☺️
Her descendants didn't.
@@briannadickson2884 the house is still there though!🙄
You call that winning? strange.
@@andyiswonderful weirdo!🧐
Should be a national/state monument.
Good for him! We need more people like him to stand up to the big companies, bullying folks out of their property
If more people said no, they wouldn't have been able to develop there.
The people have more power than we think.
He wasn't bullied. The offered to buy his home, at probably twice what it was worth, and he declined (most likely because he thought they would offer even more because he is greedy).
Exactly!
Good for him not selling. He stood firm, developer gave him middle finger building around him, and owner still remains strong. Good for you man. Never sell. Screw those greedy developers.
The good thing is when hurricane comes his house will be protected. Stay strong! Todo por la lucha!
😂 I never tought of that, that is true. Only thing that will damage his property is flooding.
Lol this was my first thought when I saw the hurricane shutters on the windows of the house. I was like you don't need those anymore.
The negative thing is that from lack of sunlight, his house most likely has a major mold issue. 😳 We lived in an apartment that was positioned to barely get any kind of natural light, and the mold was horrible. Living in a State that is coastal probably makes it worst for him😬. I can only imagine how much he is suffering from all the mold issue.
Asi es 😂😂😂😂😂
@@Runner8617 Most florida homes are built of sealed concrete - and this one is in Miami Dade Metro so it definitely follows codes. Because they are sealed concrete there are means to have ventilation - and mold control is easy to do if its not an old house (that one was built in the 1980s - there for it is not what would be considered and "old house" = because it would still have modern dehumidification amenities such as fans and forced air.)
I would never sell the home my parents worked their whole life for! Not a chance! Praise this man!
I hope he has plans in his estate for his home. I would never let these bastards run a family out of their home. Shame on them 😢
How about if u get enough money to not work your whole life for it?
@@jessicaregina1956 looks like he is at retirement age so maybe he doesn’t need the money
So, can you tell me who didnt work hard to buy their home and if thats the case, no one would ever sell a home if it was inherited because "my parents worked their whole life" to pay for it. by the way, how many people can say their home is paid off before they die ?
He is going to suffer more than they do because, he had to endure, 2 years of loud construction and now 24/7 in and out traffic along with restaurant noise and people out and about at all times of the night and here is the kicker, he is now in a commercial zone which means there is no noise ordinance . So, is that really worth the headache because my parents worked hard to buy a house.. they probably worked hard to buy a car too, but why would you keep a car just because they worked hard to buy one
@@bjvu9460
I agree.
This dude is the greedy one, he was holding out for 15 million for that dump and they built around him. Haha!
Never met this man but I'd love to shake his hand for standing strong. Not everything is for sale n he proves it.
I’m with you Orlando. Congratulations for your courage. Greetings from brazil.
Orlando you are the sweetest person, I’m so sorry this happened to you!
Is he though.. he could be a complete dik. The “sweetest people” usually don’t put up fights like this.. they go easy.
This guy had a chance to walk away with a huge chunk of cash, but instead chose to resist and now he’s pretty much lost everything. I think the developer even offered to move his house for him, but this fight was about principle for this guy. He admitted that he thought if he held his ground, they would not be able to build.
I’m rooting for him in one sense… but he’s not humble, he’s an idiot and hard headed.. definitely not the “sweetest person”. His mother died in a rehabilitation center after falling in that house. Her last years living under torment from the construction and stress… instead of moving to a more peaceful place.
Ur apology means 💩
@@HiThisIsMine If money is all that matters to you, then you're a hollow person.
@@samsanimationcorner3820 - Maybe you failed to read my comment. I’m arguing the fact that this guy may not actually be “the sweetest” person. All signs point to him being otherwise. I may have also held out for quite a bit out of pure resentment and to screw over the builder… but I don’t consider myself as sweet. It would be a pure dik move. Tit for tat. But even I have my limits and know when to back down. If my mother was that old, I wouldn’t let her die in that house and deal with all that her last days. I would take the cash and try to get her mind off of it and in a better more rested, peaceful place. Yes, in the end, money matters. He could have been in a better place right now if he just took the cash. I don’t know if it was this video or another, but he’s miserable now.
He was fighting a losing battle out of pure stubbornness. If the sentiment of the house is what mattered to him, he had an opportunity to still keep it. He was the last house on the block and instead of being “sweet” about it, he decided to pick a fight.
Can you sit there and say, “this man is the sweetest person”? That’s my only argument.
@@HiThisIsMine There's a difference between being sweet and being a pushover. My Grandma Ruth, God rest her soul, was a very nice and caring lady. A sweet old lady. But she wouldn't take shit from anyone. She knew how to kick ass if needed. People are so afraid of confrontation now.
One of my favorite books as a kid was called "The Little House". It was exactly this story! Defiant right through being surrounded by modern skyscrapers.
My first thought exactly on seeing this. My favorite book growing up.
As a little kid you read this exact story? It is just now finished so how. Not even a book yet..
@@ShiftedGames It was published in 1942.
I never read that book, but this story reminds me of the animated movie “Up”
I LOVED that book as well! I always think about that book when I see new developments.
It's insane. This is allowed to happen while in other single-family housing districts, it's a battle to just have a homeowner add something as simple as an in-law unit
Its a battle for the huge corporations too. The difference is that the big corporations have enough money to just keep throwing it at the municipalities until they break. if your average person had enough money they would have no problem adding on a in-law unit to the property.
Bribes to chance city codes for sure.
Did you miss the part where they said the area was rezoned to mixed use?
@@bkdarkness wonder how that got approved....
To be fair it's Coral Gables, they're pretty pro-development. Certainly not like NYC, where you can't even change your windows without someone complaining!
My Grandmother always said. The first generation earns and the second one spends. Whatever sentimental high ground he’s standing on, although I respect the hell out of it, will be all for nothing when he dies. Either his children or grandchildren will eventually sell that house. I’d leave knowing I stood my ground as long as possible, take the money and go make new memories.
baby boomers literally destroyed the country
It's not always about the money, Spiderman.
@@xotl2780 it's always about the money 💰
The fact that massive building was even allowed to be built like that, literally around the house shows a massive problem in the legal system.
Should you get to derail another landowner's right to develop their property just because you want to keep your property the same way?
It's the zoning system, not the legal system. This is controlled by local elected officials. If businesses are not allowed to build commercial buildings, they will go elsewhere and tax revenues will suffer. The hotel pays significant real estate taxes to local schools and governments, plus the hotel occupancy tax rate is quite high in FL and goes straight to the city for the benefit of residences.
@@Mark-rw3kw Interesting, yeah but they should not have allowed them to change the zoning there. That was a residential area and they probably ruined the lives of dozens of homes around them too.
@@BrooklynAlien The other homeowners who sold likely got 2X what their home was worth, which is why they sold out, so I doubt it ruined their lives. The city (and citizens) get substantial property tax and hotel occupancy tax revenue for the hotel being there.
@@Mark-rw3kw I'm talking about all the homes that are still there. That used to live in a nice little subdivision full of little homes, now they live near this monster and all traffic and noise that happens all day.
As long as money is involved these big companies can do whatever they want.
Sad. He's trapped. His cute home. All his neighbors sold out. My heart breaks for him.
It’s a one of a kind! Might be good value, especially if turned into an air bnb lol
@@Davidchendavid OMG, that is BRILLIANT!! you are a genius!
I bet their kicking themselves in the ass now. With all the inflations I'm sure they didn't even properly invested the money they acquired or its all spent up due to these hard times. They should have kept rheir properties now it's hard to even get land or a home.
@@tanyas.9424
They all got great money and bought better homes, this dude was greedy and got nothing. Now his taxes will increase 50x.
@@sharksport01 He’s not greedy, he’s sentimental.
Shame on those people saying he doesn't belong there. They don't belong there.
He doesn’t belong there anymore than anyone else, he belongs in that home he paid for that’s it.
I think he meant the structure (ie you don't expect to see a house) not the homeowner, afterwards he was saying good on him.
❤❤👍👍👍🙏
They didn't say that. Watch the whole video before you comment.
@@notyourtypicalcomment2399 You contradicted yourself
"It shouldn't be there" You're right, that disgusting ugly modern development plaza should NOT be there.
If I were him, I’d open up a gift shop and start making money off of the hotel guests. 😂
Should put a donation jar out front for getting his view obliterated by the hotel
Great idea!
He could open a bed and breakfast and do quite well. Or a restaurant.
A small Cuban style restaurant with dining on the front lawn.
@@johnlopez7488 I would cost at least a million dollars to convert to a restaurant, so he will just sell to someone else who will do it and has experience running restaurants.
It’s shocking to see a populated neighborhood completely taken away like that instead of the hotel purchasing an old industrial area
Yes, read old development project of all the highways. Homes of so called Blacks taken away not been compensated for losing these homes and wealth. Especially during the 1950s to 1990s.. I'm sure he didn't care then when it happened to another group of individuals. Unfortunately, evil and greed have knocked on his doors at least he is being compensated.
BaHahahahaha!
Nobody wants a hotel room in an old industrial area.
In the end times to love of money and greed will rule the world
@@universalservicetechust3578 That statement does not apply here.
That's messed up they're bullying this old man! They shouldn't have been able to build right next to his property until they were able to secure it.
N screw everyone else who wanted to sell?
He's not being bullied at all. Maybe he should have went to the meetings to protest the builds.
The only thing I find wrong about it is the large planter box in his yard, unless it's not his yard. I don't own the sidewalk or median in front of my house even though they force me to keep it up. I also don't own the easement behind my property even though I am forced to maintain it. I can't build anything on it either
Next to is an understatement. Literally all around, and towering above in three directions
@@wanaraz A lot of good that did.
I admire this man so much. So tired of corporations destroying land and properties for their gain. I hope he as an air tight will. After his death the vulgaris will swoop in. We all know that.
I hope he remains here for his entire life and passes it along to his family and they live here
Okay.
Passes on.
Will goes through
Family:HEY WE SELLING YOU NOW. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
@@jessicaregina1956 those that know the cost of everything, and the value of nothing, live a hollow life.
Yeah but depends on how much they offer! His kids probably won't be as attached to it as he is.
Yes yes yes.
So hold on to it.
Im sure the commute to it for work and others is great. The surroundings are pleasant. The noise level is zero. There arent 9000 looky loos passing by.
You do you then. 🤣
@@jessicaregina1956 you seem really invested in this
As a property owner this is the type of thing that scares me, developers snatching your neighborhood out right from under your feet. This is just one of many untold stories here in the US a big business wanting your real estate because they feel it's in a prime location.
Government also does it in a hear beat and don't give you a choice. Some business and homes where forced out to make way for an expended freeway exist. Yeah this is the kind of stuff you don't hear about, and it's really an injustice and terrible planing.
@@ChechiDLR I'm fully aware of eminent domain, but what I'm speaking about is a little more nefarious. Where I'm originally from in New York private realtors would set your building on fire if you didn't move when they told you to. That's just one of many things I know of happening to people, but they do think up a lot of other interesting ways to get rid of you besides just fire.
@@mjareacts2731 Lol “imminent” domain...It’s Eminent
Kind of like Elon Musk buying out Boca Chica island it Texas, some residents are still holding on to their property.
It's one of the many things that the 2nd amendment is for
I LOVE THIS GUY!! I HOPE HE LIVES THERE FOR A VERY VERY LONG TIME!!
I am so happy he stood his ground. Spend the rest of your life fighting.
His family is from Cuba. This is much more than just about the house. It is about the severe struggle it took them to come here including risking their lives to do so, and what it took for them to get on their feet, likely going hungry to achieve this dream. I would love him as my neighbor. A strong,righteous,loyal man with principles,morals and values. The older videos on channel Yoel and Mari may explain things, what's is like being a Cuban coming to America.
And as you can see local authorities/congressmen/senators/developers/federal government don't give a dime about that
I agree it’s so much more than the structure. God bless this dear man.
his family were probably reactionary capitalist slave owners
@@williamrobinson4265 what exactly does your comment imply?
@@pattiannepascual the govt is no longer 'by the people, for the people.'
It's for the rich, by the big govt.
How the hell the developer got the building approval without sorting out with the home owner ?
Miami, in a word.
PAY OFFS
They don't need it.
The area was redeveloped he didn't sell others did.
It's Florida! 💸💸🍸
@@paxundpeace9970 .. I'm guessing those people get less that what their properties were really worth.
I love how one of the visitors said that the house “looks like it shouldn’t be here”. The house was there first so which building really looks like it doesn’t belong?
Notice how that tourists looks like SHE shouldn't be here... 😌
I think that's exactly what the Native Americans said to white people for centuries is it not?
I don't get the issue. Coral gables is literally right next to Miami. This area is begging to be more dense. There are so many other single family home neighborhoods to move to if you want to be in a suburb. This guy has every right to keep his home, but for everyone complaing what the developer is doing is "evil" and they are "destroying" a good neighborhoods is not seeing the big picture. He didn't live in some far out suburb well away from a dense city here, he lived 20 minutes west of downtown Miami
Exactly, he's still getting an amazing good deal too, as far as having a house paid off and paying almost nothing in property taxes
Ever since I have heard this story two years ago, it has touched my heart, and I always think about it.
It reminds me EXACTLY of the first book I ever learned to read: The Little 🏡 House.
I loved that book! My mom used to tell me that story could easily have been her grandmother's house in Chicago. I had the good fortune of finally visiting her house (my great-grandmother's) in October. Sitting in between two high-rise apartment buildings.
Happening all over Austin's metro area. 👀
You know what good for him. Glad to see there are people left who’s morals and principles can’t be sold.
it's not that great for him.
His home has been ruined.
@@tehKap0w this is why comprehension and context is key before responding. Because his home being ruined has absolutely NOTHING to do with my comment.
@@PMGRadio yeah, because there are so many ways to parse "good for him."
He has resolve and sticks to his values, but the value of the home his parents strived for has been demolished.
He is now miserable and trapped. But thank god he still has his morals. They are really working for him right now.
@@chriskay1449 😂
It isn't always about the property being bought. The guy who lived at the Fox theater in Atlanta was given a lifetime lease to an apartment, but they still tried to get him out when he got older. He had a lot of support & when he died he still had the apartment.
They don't need to torment him further yet opening a noisy bar next door proves the claim.
The hotel should embrace the guy. In fact they should offer him a complimentary meal at their restaurants at least once a week. And it wouldn't hurt their budget to give him a suite midweek on the top floor, so he may gaze out the window and see the evening stars and evening lights. Win-win. Show you have a ❤️.
Best comment yet! Keep letting your light shine!
People are so generous with other people's money.
Yep. But more than that, I think he’s got grounds for a lawsuit.
Sadly, it is an atraction almost. If I were him I would commission a plaque with the story of why he chose to stay. It may change opinions.
@@WilliamsPinch LOL He's already lost the lawsuits. That's why their are buildings around him.
Love this guy, despite the loss of his view the hustle n bustle of the hotel, he stuck to his guns and stuck up his middle finger to a big corporation, good for you sir!
And now he is screwed. The house has no market value.
@I don't know pretty sure that dosen't matter to him, he'll probably die in it.
@@wanaraz BS. Are you kidding? He is sitting on prime real estate. Also, it's now a tourist attraction which up's its' value. I hope he has that home in an irrevocable trust and it continues to stand as its' own unique thumb-print of love in a sea of greed.
@@d8bn It's not love and it's not greed. It's called business. Nobody would buy that house now for more than 50K. The buyer is in control now who don't need it but might buy it for a parking lot.
And yet the developer built around him.
Respect that homeowner.
Owner was there before condos shops.
Bet his quality of life is crap.
So? Nature was here before us and we barely respect that these days
He should use the facilities. Eat the breakfast and use their pool!
@@KingofgraceSARA hell yea he should lol he should also start a home business or two (good traffic there alr)
He is living the life that he wants. 👍
@@ImJamieX Yeah, and he should get access to the hotel rooftop so he can sit up there with his telescope and enjoy the stars from higher-up...with beverages of his choice brought to him for free.
I hope his family continues to live there for decades to come
He's Gay. Good grief.
Personally, I would have sold for whatever exorbitant amount I could get but I admire this man.
Right? I completely respect his decision and reasoning, but nah I'd be cashing a check.
They weren’t offering an exorbitant amount compared to the amount of money they were going to make using the square footage where his home currently is
@@sniffinglue7236 ya sad reality 🤑✔
@@Ntsmith4 That has to be the dumbest thing ive heard. The money the developers make with the property after he sells to them is irrelevant. He wasn't going to make that money with that property anyway.
@@eldiantre7346 You didn't read it correctly or something. She was saying that the developers could make an F ton of money using that small piece of property, especially before they started building, if he would have sold. And the price they were offering to him would not even be close to that amount of money. Even currently, if they were to buy it and add another tower or wing or whatever for more guests or whatever to make more revenue, it would still be more than they would offer him. Ok, I think you did read it correctly, but either way it should matter to him because that's like any other piece of property where you are asked to sell at a low price in order for a business to come in and make possibly millions, which could only be done by using your property. How does that not make sense?
Now that's a man of CONVICTION and courage. He should also added.."By the people, for the people AND government"!
Bravo to this guy. 👏👏
How could any city allow this development to occur so close to this shame in developers
I love this guy. Sticking it to the big boss man. Stay put, sir!
Just think, when there's a hurricane, his house will be protected by all those buildings. It's too bad about them putting a bar next to him. That's downright nasty. Name the company responsible for that.
yes the drunks staggering out and using his yard on their way home and all the noise might annoy....
@@andrewbaluk1663 It was his choice. Stop disrespecting the old guys choice.
@@wanaraz How is my comment disrespecting him? nothing to do with disrespecting the guys choice, its about how "they" let this be done to him
Hurricane will knock those buildings on top of his house.
You act like they're doing it to intentionally bother him. It's called running a business.
1000% respect for this man ! I have no doubt he held on for personal reasons , yet also he knows one day it will eventually have to be sold . I would love to see what was offered vs what it will eventually sell for .
I saw a story where he was offered millions of dollars.
@@MultiSUNFLOWER18 He could have taken that money and moved somewhere where he could continue to see the stars. I understand sentimental value of the house, but there comes a time when you have to practical. He created a very unpleasant surrounding for himself in the last years of his life.
@@cremebrulee4759 I agree. Or he could have also moved the house to a location nearby then he could still have the house and watch the stars. Now there is no chance to move the house. I know a family that had a 2 story house that lived near Joe's Stonecrab on South Beach. For years they didn't sell. They finally sold some years ago and I'm sure it was several for million dollars. I think it's a restaurant now. Last time I checked about 2 years ago. They were smart to wait and sell to get the most amount of money.
@@cremebrulee4759 he didn't create it the city did by allowing it.
Standing on principle matters.
He’s not for sale, and neither is his house. I hope it gets put into a trust for his children so it stays in the family and continues to be a thorn in the side of the bastards who tried to strong arm an elderly man out of the home where he has lived an entire life.
i am 50/50 on this. completely support and understand his position. but at the same time i dont care and dont want to hear you complain about the loss of your view. sometimes we have to stop holding on the the past and move forward. he is living for his parents who have probably been dead for years instead of living for himself. the dream of his parents was to come to america and build a great life. you can always remember the good times you had there and then go make new great memories somewhere else. now his life is not about remembering the good its only about being upset in the now.
Aw, this poor guy. Hope he finds peace of mind somehow.
He won't. The constant negativity will send him to an early grave. He should have taken their generous offer and bought a place where he could enjoy sunrises and sunsets. His parents would have wanted that.
@@sharksport01 His parents are proud of him for standing his ground and following his heart, his love, his home.
@@sharksport01 you’re right, could have gotten top dollar
Sometimes there’s just people you can’t throw money at and get what you want..Respect
yeah, its called stupid people.... his life is worse in every possible way now, just because he is stubborn. what a stupid person.
He's is obviously elderly. What's he going to do with a lot of money?
This happened in Cincinnati years before they built a hotel and plaza. I remember as a little girl riding past and seeing one house left on a huge peice of land. It delayed construction and the elderly couple held out till they offered $1.2 Million. Smart people. I bet they didn't offer this man enough money
they allegedly offered $800K-$900K
which is way more than what his parents paid for it, I bet, but still too low
When he is ready to sell, he doesn't have to sell to the developer. I bet there is someone who would pay top dollar to be right in the middle of that place.
i sure would!
They buyers would likely turn around and sell it to the developer for more money.
Really, it's a huge space amidst all the shops and amenities of a class hotel. He has a private yard.
@@brucekrause2801 But there is no sunlight.
Should set up a company with a million shares in public ownership to buy the place. Set up with the requirement that 100% unanimity is required to sell!
My grandpa's neighborhood in Denver is that way. An automotive maintenance facility got bought, and they are going to build a massive 396 unit condo complex. Fortunately my grandpa is a couple blocks away, so his only issue will probably be traffic, but one guy my dad knows lives right next door to it, and he'll have 7 stories of balconies all looking directly down on his backyard, not only completely blocking his view of the mountains the house has had for 8 decades, but also the complete lack of privacy as well.
As someone said to me when they started building multistory townhouses all around my little house: time to start sunbathing in the nude. Fortunately, the new neighbors are delightful people who invite me to their parties. I was offered $1.2 million for my house and land, but would never leave my lovely new neighbors for parts unknown. They even ask to use my backyard clothesline which I happily allow.
I'm currently living in Colorado, and I can see this happening *everywhere.* This housing bubble can't burst quickly enough. And I have to admit, I'm so conflicted. I fully understand that multi-family dwellings are what makes housing available as opposed to single family homes... But no one should ever have their home stolen out from under them, or be bullied into giving up their property.
"If you like the view, you better own it"
More importantly, at least 396 new people will now have a place to call home.
@@CameronCourts At least double that number, when you consider most apartments are 2 or 3 bedroom apartments. Plus, there is another 146 unit building already under construction across the street from the proposed complex, and overflow parking is already down the block. Not to mention those 1000+ people will all be sharing a 2 lane road that has had traffic issues since I was in high school 20 years ago. I'm not opposed to building housing, but Denver isn't struggling to find buildable land like we do here in the mountains. Build the new housing closer to the airport. The roads are wider, there is already commuter rail and shared transportation infrastructure in place, etc. They need to stop trying to cram huge apartment buildings into old neighborhoods that were never designed for that volume of traffic.
Good for the home owner!!!
Where exactly can he park his car now? They couldn't even give him a driveway?
The lack of sunshine for his yard makes me kind of sad but I love a stubborn nail house owner.
His little home adds value to the resort guests. I would book a room just to see the house and talk to the owner. He would have wonderful stories and could give insight into the neighborhood's past.
Maybe one of the billionaires from the area could build him a tower with an observation deck so he could see sunsets again 👍
Yea right, they'll never do that, lol, but I agree.
Good point. It would soften things up a bit.
So you're going to give money to the hotel who is ruining his life?
Maybe but he doesn't want to be treated like a tourist attraction. He's not an object for amusement and might be tired of stupid questions.
Or he could go to the pool they have on top of the roof!
Reminds me of the lady who refused to sell her home in Atlantic City when the developers built the hotel/casino around her house. The bill of rights says people have the right to be secure in their possessions
@@tripplefives1402 actually it does
See: quiet Enjoyment of ones own property many states protect this indeed
Reminds me years ago the city of Jerusalem grew up around an elderly lady’s little goat farm. She worked very hard but it was the life she enjoyed and the property belonged to HER. So the goat farm remained surrounded by high rises
Democrats do not care about your rights.
Her name was Vera Coking,she fought the first developer and won,she then fought Donnie Trump,the second developer, and won,in court he said " its only tenement housing, what's the big deal?",this did not impress the judge who started out in life in " tenement housing ",,, Donnie lost again...
An admirable human being full of strength and integrity, if there were more people like this the world would be a better place ❤️
This is extremely admirable. Don’t ever let big businesses push you around and take what’s yours!
They can only take what's yours if you agree to sell. You make it sound like they are doing something nefarious by making a good offer.
The only way they can actually take your land is if they partner with the government and the government uses eminent domain.
They didn't try and take anything. They offered to buy his home and he refused. The developers have a right to build on the land they own. Most likely, they offered him way more than his home is worth, but he was probably greedy and unreasonable.
@@Mark-rw3kw @PeugeotRocket you’re really big fans of massive corporations aren’t you? It’s Friday guys, and it’s the middle of the day. Get a life. Im at work right now.
@@keelerrobinson5772 NO, I not a fan of massive corporations. They owned the land they purchased from his neighbors (not forced to sell) and they offered him a big premium for his home since he was the last holdout. He got greedy so they decided to build around him on the property they owned. All this stuff about forcing him out is BS. The man is a greedy fool.
@@keelerrobinson5772 I was at work when I posted that too smooth brain. I was on my lunch break. You just assume anyone posting during the middle of the day is not working? And for that matter you just assume they are in the same time zone as you? I could have been halfway around the world. That's two giant fails on your part.
Also, yes, I am a big fan of corporations and small businesses. I'm a big fan of capitalism. But that's besides the point. The point is the developer did nothing wrong. People just want to complain and hate on the wealthy. 🤡
Absolutely fantastic. I am all for development and improvement, but you can't force people to sell/move/change if they don't want to. Great to see that man standing to his principles.
I remember showing this story to my mom in 2019, while her neighborhood was being bought house by house by the local college. She passed in 2021, the college bought her house in 2022, and it has since been moved 180 miles away. At least it is still going to be someone's home, but my childhood neighborhood is completely gone. Developers don't give a flip tho. They call it "progress".
They call it, "profit"
🥺🥺🥺
You would care about him So much if You were the developer tho, of course.
"Let's call off the multi-million dollar in profit, project.. A man might have to move." (like the average person does every 10 years anyway)
@@Mr.X_69_69 lets move you then, move out of your house, no ? But of course they will offer you half or less the value, not enough to rebuild. You would gladly take the offer I guess.
Those projects where they need somebody to move to complete something, they usually offer the value or more tho
"Up" had a great way of showing the world the reality of having more money than your adversary. I have a lot of respect for this man.
This reminds me of the real story that kind of inspired the movie UP. An old woman refused to sell her home and the developer was forced to build around it but not like what has happened to this man. In the end the old lady left the house to a construction worker who she made friends with and it still stands to this day as far as I know.
respect to him for not giving in ! I hope you have it safely guarded for when your time is up my friend as you know they will be waiting to pounce !
Good for him...👏
It is a nightmare of traffic around that area with the outsized buildings.
Lots of money laundering into those apartments that nobody can afford
If I ever had the great misfortune to live in a “community” like this, I would certainly seek the acquaintance of this man.
I'm glad he kept it and He Deserves to live in peace like any other home owner. If I were him...I would put up a nice big white fence on his property line and have a beautiful mural of his choice painted on his side 😁😁😁
I’m sure that wouldn’t be “allowed”.
Ive seen this happen in a neighbourhood in Canada with all elderly who were the original residents who built their homes there when it was all farmland. Eventually they raised taxes so high they had to sell even though they didnt want to as they could not afford to stay. Now obscure giant mansions are there that look hideous. It was the only area of the city that had large backyards and now all grass has turned to concrete and all the old trees are cut down, no greenery.
In some states and in some locations taxes cannot be raised.
I live in a mid-size Southern Ontario city. Developers are busy building condo developments everywhere they can. Neighborhood after neighborhood people in houses are losing their view, their privacy and their property value with these condos looming over them and nobody cares. They are just SOL.
Why didn't you address the plight of the poor farmers who had to see their land cut down and greenery destroyed to make way for a crowded suburb? Maybe the farmers should have had the right to stop those greedy developers and the people who bought their homes.
It’s strange Canada has so much space but such a messed up housing market
@@wanaraz Not even if there is a new BullSh@t school levy?
It's disgusting the way he was so badly effected by the construction, no proper care for his safety was taken. Even if you have to accept things change around the area he should have been protected by the council. Even now the restaurant is right next to his home. Could there not hav been permission given but ensuring only quiet activity or a residence is right next to the house. Everything to shift him has been done and that is not right. At least the visitors seem to respect him.
Gotta give him props for hanging in there. At this point, I think I would fix it up super nice and rent it out as an AirBnb. It's already in a great spot with all the hotels restaurants and could probably better than any of there rooms.
Why not live there and enjoy the shops now right next door?
Airbnb are killing our cities
🤔 I like that.
Good for him! Stand your ground and stay in YOUR home.
It warms my cold little heart to see how many are proud of him. I sure am a nd I don't even know him.
THIS REMINDS ME OF A STORY BOOK FROM SCHOOL!!!!
We have one house like that here in Ballard a neighborhood of Seattle. The construction crew took very good care of the elder lady that lived there.
Not just any old lady. Her story was the inspiration for the movie Up.
He seems super nice. I'm so sorry that he lost the view. Sad. Glad he kept his house tho.
We have this mentality that "development = good". That city and developer destroyed a neighborhood, with corporate greed. It's disgusting what they did to him and that area. I hope he never sells. His home reminds visitors of what was lost.
It was a cookie-cutter single-family neighborhood. There are literally millions of houses like that all across the US. There's nothing unique about them. This new development will contains tons of new condos, as well as new hotel rooms. Far more people can live there. This homeowner has every right to continue using his home however he pleases, just like the developers should be allowed to build the hotel.
The guy who refused to sell at an obscene price (probably at least twice what the house was worth) is the greedy one. This whole story is fake crocodile tears.
@@empirestate8791 so now there's a cookie cutter condominium blocking everyone's view of the ocean-except the rich people that live there.
@@Mark-rw3kw perhaps money isn't the issue for that person.
@@Tommy_Mac Give me a break. He was holding out for more money. All his neighbors already sold out, so the neighborhood was gone. This happens a lot when the final hold-out gets really greedy and they build around them, and the homeowner regrets not selling.
I always think of The Little House (1942) by Virginia Lee Burton whenever I hear these stories of longtime home owners fending off luxury real estate developers.
This man is an example of the true values in life!
No, he is an example of pure greed. He thought they would go higher than the obscenely high price they offered, and they called his bluff. Happens all the time in real estate negotiations.
I'd be having some of the smokiest bonfires you ever seen in my back yard if I was that guy. Where does he park?
I would make their lives hell for the rest of my days. 😅
As always the love of money takes control .my prayers are with this man
The man was lying. He was just holding out for more money (already way more than the house was worth) and the developers just finally said no and built around him. He is greedy and a fool.
And here we have another person trying to turn normal capitalist behavior into something negative.
@@PeugeotRocket It's not capitalist behavior. In a socialist society the government would have taken his property and paid fair market value and no more. In a society with private property, if they offer him 3x times what it is worth and he doesn't want to sell, then fine, they will have to build on the private property they own that they purchased from the other homeowners. No one is forcing him to leave, despite the claims of the reporters in the story.
@@Mark-rw3kw you know him personally and can prove that? Libel is something I would be cautious about
@@greensorrel6860 It's always about money. It's just a question of how much.
A hero must buy his house once he passes away. Keep it there even if you will not live there.
Actually he BELONGS THERE. The nerve of that man