Ken Griffin’s helipad gets more time to address pushback by wealthy neighbors

Miami billionaire Ken Griffin’s plan to add a private helipad to his megayacht marina on Miami Beach’s Terminal Island is getting another month to address complaints from wealthy nearby condo residents who say the chopper noise could disrupt their quality of life.

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On Tuesday, the Miami Beach Planning Board deferred the helipad proposal until Nov. 3, giving Griffin’s team additional time to address the complaints.

The proposed helipad would be added to Griffin’s already approved 3.5-acre megayacht marina at 120 MacArthur Causeway, designed to accommodate his 308-foot yacht, Defy.

Griffin’s representatives say concerns about noise are overstated. His team commissioned noise studies involving the Airbus H160 helicopter he plans to use, which found that noise from the 13 seconds of takeoffs and landings would be comparable to that of an ordinary conversation on a nearby condominium balcony. Those findings have been met with skepticism.

“We are in favor of deferring this issue to the November meeting to allow us more time for community outreach and testing,” said attorney Neisen Kasdin, who represents Griffin’s company on the matter, One Island Partners.

The delay comes after organized opposition from residents of eight waterfront luxury high-rise condominium buildings off the MacArthur Causeway and just south of Fifth Street. The buildings house ab,out 2,000 residents. Condo leaders have urged Miami Beach officials to reject the helipad, saying helicopter flights could disrupt their quality of life.

In September, the Miami Beach Land Use and Sustainability Committee voted 2-1 to approve the Citadel founder’s heliport request and pass it on to the planning department for approval, then ultimately to the full City Commission.

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But Miami Beach Commissioner Joe Magazine advised Kasdin to spend time hearing and addressing the residents’ concerns.

Condo residents have questioned why the city should approve a private aviation facility primarily serving one homeowner.

Brian O’Brien, who represents residents at the Yacht Club at Portofino, asked the city committee: “We are doing all this for one individual? We are upsetting our quality of life so Mr. Griffin can land a little closer to his house?”

The proposed helipad is a late addition to Griffin’s already approved private marina on Terminal Island, next to the U.S. Coast Guard station.

Griffin already uses a helicopter landing site at Watson Island. Kasdin told city officials that Griffin made 61 helicopter trips from the Watson Island site last year and wants the new helipad to make it easier to travel between his home on Star Island, downtown Miami and Miami International Airport.

If approved at the Nov. 3 planning board meeting, the issue will next be addressed by the full Miami Beach City Commission.

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This story was originally published October 8, 2026 at 5:15 AM.