A Dockside Condo investigation is underway after a mandatory evacuation displaced over 100 residents with little warning. Law firms are investigating potential mismanagement and maintenance failures that may have led to safety concerns and costly consequences for homeowners.
Dockside Condo Investigation Focuses on Evacuation, Maintenance, and Legal Action
The Dockside Condo investigation began after Charleston ordered residents to evacuate the downtown building on February 28. Many owners said they were left without answers.
Two Charleston law firms are leading the class action investigation. They believe poor management and maintenance may have caused the emergency. Attorneys said residents had been trying to understand the evacuation. They contacted the city, engineers, and the HOA board but received few clear responses.
The Dockside building, located at 330 Concord Street, was built in the 1970s. Officials said engineering concerns sparked the evacuation.
Before the order, the building’s board received a letter from a structural firm warning that the tower was unsafe for continued occupancy. The city originally gave residents 24 hours to leave. They were told to take essential belongings and leave behind furniture.
Since the evacuation, the HOA has released a formal move-out plan. Packing and removal will begin April 14, two units at a time. By July, Dockside officials expect the building to be fully cleared, barring unexpected delays.
Homeowners, like 85-year-old Graham Stone, said they were left homeless or burdened with extra expenses. Some stayed with family, others had nowhere to go.
Stone said neighbors are struggling with finances. Some are on fixed incomes and feel devastated by the sudden loss of housing. He also claimed the HOA is still collecting fees.
Residents reportedly continue paying monthly dues and parking costs despite being unable to access their homes.
Website for Lawsuit Launched
Attorneys for the residents created a website, DocksideLawsuit.com, for anyone with information to contribute to the investigation.
They hope past and present owners, contractors, and engineers will come forward with documents or firsthand knowledge. While no lawsuit has been filed yet, attorneys expect legal action. They are exploring whether to pursue one class-action suit or several separate cases.
The city of Charleston traced the current crisis back to a 2022 inspection. An engineering firm identified column and floor connection issues during unit renovations. That inspection didn’t label the building unsafe. But, a later investigation by a different firm did, leading to the 2024 evacuation.
The Dockside Board received a letter on February 25 warning of floor load capacity risks and safety concerns. The city then asked for detailed engineering assessments by mid-March, including analysis of potential floor collapse.
Dockside’s board responded that the deadline could not be met. They said further testing and analysis were required to understand the structural problems.
The tower includes 112 condos, with 60 to 70 percent occupied full-time. Residents said over 200 people were affected by the evacuation. Some owners recently purchased units. Now, they face housing insecurity and rising expenses with no clear resolution.
No formal statements have been issued by the Dockside board or the city. The investigation remains ongoing.
