For nearly two years, residents at a Brickell high-rise have been fighting a plan to modify the historic designation of parts of a neighboring church, a move that would clear the way for future development.

Residents say they were never given an opportunity to voice their opinions and concerns. Now, a court has ruled they deserve that chance.

“We just wanted to be heard as neighbors, like literally next-door neighbors,” said John Pizzo, who has lived in the building for about three years.

Pizzo is one of roughly 1,300 residents who live at Icon Brickell 2. The condominium is about 160 feet from First Presbyterian Church.

The church was designated a historic site by the City of Miami in 2003. More than 20 years later, plans are underway to develop part of the property into 619 Brickell, a project that includes a 75-story tower with million-dollar units already on the market.

Residents say that in December 2024, the church sought to remove the historic designation from part of its property to allow for the new construction. Representatives for the residents requested intervenor status so they could voice their concerns and participate in the legal process surrounding the redesignation. Their request was denied by the City’s Historic and Environmental Preservation Board in December 2024 and again by the Miami City Commission in April 2025.

“We feel like our voices weren’t really heard. We live next door. We are your neighbors,” said Icon Brickell 2 resident John Cora. “We’re going to be affected by the construction, the noise, the added crowding and the increase in people coming to the neighborhood. That affects us and our surrounding neighbors, and we haven’t had the opportunity to voice those concerns.”

On July 16, an appellate court found that residents should be included in the proceedings involving the church’s historic preservation status because of their close proximity to the property and the potential impact of any changes.

The ruling overturns the previous approvals by both the City Commission and the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board related to the modification of part of the church’s historic designation.

“That’s all we’re asking for, the opportunity to have a seat at the table, to have a conversation and to understand the implications,” said Aaron Brill, a five-year resident. “A development of that size is going to have an impact on our entire community.”

The church and 13th Floor Investments, one of the developers behind 619 Brickell, provided the following statement to NBC6:

“This ruling is procedural and has no impact on plans for 619 Brickell. The court ruled on one narrow question — whether a neighboring association should have been granted time to be heard at a public hearing — and ordered that hearing to be held again with their participation. We welcome that; neighbors deserve the opportunity to voice their concerns, and this is simply one more step in a public process we respect.”

“619 Brickell is an as-of-right development requiring no variances, waivers, or rezoning, and the project is moving forward as planned. To date, no court or board has found the surface parking lot or the later-added educational addition building to be historic. The City’s own preservation analysis concluded they are not historic, the Historic and Environmental Preservation Board approved the amendment unanimously, the City Commission affirmed it 4-0, and the Urban Development Review Board unanimously approved the project’s design. The historic 1949 sanctuary will be preserved and restored.”

The attorney representing Icon Brickell 2 said the city and church have until Monday to appeal the appellate court’s decision.

NBC6 reached out to the City of Miami for comment on the ruling. As of publication, the city had not responded.

If the decision is not appealed, residents say they look forward to presenting their perspective on the redesignation and the proposed project.