American Airlines Arena

GREYHAWK provided claims consulting services related to construction of a multi-use, 21,500-seat arena, home to the NBA’s Miami Heat. The owner alleged that design errors and omissions caused American Airlines Arena2 million in increased construction and impact costs, and demanded the architect pay damages. GREYHAWK assisted the architect and its insurance company in responding to the allegations in an effort to settle the dispute before arbitration.

GREYHAWK mobilized in Miami and assessed the owner’s claims. The evaluation revealed the owner changed the design at 95% design development, began construction bidding at 35% construction documents, and initiated extensive value engineering efforts that caused delays and disruptions. GREYHAWK presented the findings during mediation and requested the owner provide detailed proof to support its allegations. Efforts were suspended for several years when the architect’s insurer was placed in liquidation. When GREYHAWK resumed its analysis and proceedings continued, the owner provided little information. Ultimately, four separate hearings were held with a final resolution not achieved until more than a decade after the engagement began. The final resolution amount was within 10% of the estimate GREYHAWK provided to the carrier in the first phase of investigation.