Capri South Beach

***** It’s interesting (and quite frankly, comical), how, all of the sudden, after over a YEAR, with zero reviews, this place is getting multiple five star reviews. (By a struggling seller, an employee, and people who also rate Aldi, Subway, and Pollo Tropical!  Lol.) The property is NOT popular and hasn’t been, in years. About six months ago, a prominent resident there sent out a blast email to all The Capri residents, saying that Ms Mendoza recently stopped by, and told her The Capri is so poorly maintained and dated, that it is no longer considered a high-end or luxury property by agents, and buyers aren’t asking for it.  When I moved in, four YEARS ago, I asked for a light fixture on the balcony ceiling that is broken to be replaced.  It is completely missing the outer decorative part.  (Only the rusted-out inner shell and the broken bulb remain.) The manager told me it had been like that for eight years, and she was not going to do anything about it.  And she hasn’t!
I did like a few of the residents and some of the staff, but overall, the place is very pretentious, unfriendly, and phony.  Lots of inner-fighting between residents and favoritism, by the staff.  Some residents are permitted to walk their dogs all over the property, urinating on the lobby entrance planters and on the bay walk light poles, and to let them run through the lobby without a leash. However, there is a “strict rule” that dogs must always be leashed.   During Covid, there was a two person limit in the gym, and NO trainers allowed, period.   However, I had to wait in the lobby for one of their favorite residents to use the gym with his trainer.  (This particular resident apparently spent half the nights chitchatting with the desk clerks.)  When I questioned this, the desk clerk told me the trainer “lives here”.  You guessed it, they did not and never had lived there.  (They of course knew that.) Then to get rid of me, the desk clerk simply said they didn’t feel “comfortable“ asking the trainer to leave.  (But they were perfectly comfortable lying to me and making an owner and a resident wait?)
Furthermore, I feel the need to correct Ms Mendoza about the “real neighborhood” assertion she makes.  Both the streets, leading to The Capri (16th and Lincoln Terrace) are completely lined with rundown airbnb nightly rentals.  They are rented by a rowdy out-of-town crowd, here to party, play loud music, and trash the streets with broken liquor bottles.  When I walked my dog early in the morning, they were just getting back from the bars.  That’s the main reason I ditched it.  Management also seems to turn a blind eye to short term rentals.  Apparently, if you are personally liked (Highest tipper during the holidays?), you can do it.  An agent who actively works The Capri brought several short term contracts to me, for my place.  When I questioned it, they told me “Don’t worry.  I know what to tell her and what to do.”  I had a “neighbor” there for about six weeks.  The condo docs specify six MONTH minimum. I did not like that, and they didn’t care.
Although I had high hopes in the beginning, I felt the need to leave.  It wasn’t worth the high condo fees, derelict surroundings, or frustration.  Luckily, I bought low and was able to unload it.  Wait until they need to pay for major repairs or upgrades to the bay-walk and the seawall.  They are responsible for that and for insuring it, even though it is open to the public.  (Yes, believe it or not.  Most other properties on the bay have exclusive use of it.)  Ohhh, nooo, not The Capri!  How did that happen?
Here are photos of the main entrance of The Capri Piccola, and of The Capri Marina Grande.  It has looked like this for years.

Good treatment towards visitors and contractors.

This building has the most AMAZING service and personable employees you will ever find. The building and its amenities are always impeccably clean, and the front desk staff and building manager are welcoming, helpful, and informative.

We had high hopes for this condo. Unfortunately, there was just one disappointment after another. The three separate buildings make for a disparity in maintenance. However, the entire property needs attention. Two plus years after the start of ownership, the property still looks neglected. The property is 15 years old but looks twice that.
Getting anything accomplished there is next to impossible.  Items set for repair and/or maintenance months or even YEARS ago, remain as is.
The landscaping is a disgrace. No one they hire has any creativity and many there just have no taste, whatsoever. Their landscaper places bowling ball shaped planters adjacent to the bay. They kept falling over in moderate winds. No one involved in decisions uses good sense!
The gym is boring and the pool area is very uninviting. The daily placement and removal of the pool cushions is a farce.
I suspect kickbacks there too as a certain individual is stubborn as a mule to use any different vendors, despite some of the vendors lacking in offerings. The lighting vendor offered lighting with Home Depot quality, if that.
The staff never sees anything.  They just want to sit and chat while trespassers walk the property and piers.
The only good thing is the garage is easy to enter and exit.  The best thing is the fairly good profit we made on exit!
I usually have some regret after selling a property. None so far….
Like

The staff is the best here, they go above and beyond to be helpful and kind with everyone.  It’s a small boutique building in a real neighborhood where you can walk everywhere.  Of course the magic is the sunset views!!! Great that I have the good fortune to choose my clients and have made such wonderful friends here.  Lucky when clients become friends,.

I really liked it, its panoramic views were the best, the social areas were enough to be comfortable.

nice