A dispute over a reality starlet’s Star Island home versus preservationist groups continue.
The fate of the historic house on 42 Star Island Drive remains in limbo.
Dr. Leonard Hochstein and his wife -- Real Housewives of Miami cast member Lisa Hochstein -- reportedly purchased the Star Island home at a foreclosure auction for $7.6 million.
According Hochstein’s engineer, the structure is not livable or structurally sound.
The Hochsteins have plans to demolish and rebuild, but the Miami Design Preservation League asked Miami Beach’s Historic Preservation Board to save it from its owners by deeming it a “Historical Landmark.”
The Hochsteins said they think it is more of a publicity stunt than actually caring about the home designed by Miami Beach architect Walter DeGarmo.
“I absolutely think they’re trying to ride our coattails and trying to get publicity for themselves. I think it’s disgusting, and we are just trying to move forward with our lives,” Lisa Hochstein said after the hearing, where they learned they couldn’t demolish their property, at least not yet.
The Hochsteins asked for a continuance to the hearing.
They and the preservationist opponents will be back before the Design Review Board in March.
They reportedly plan to build a 20,000 square foot estate.
