Ken Griffin is facing opposition to his plan to build a personal heliport in Miami Beach, with leaders of eight luxury condominiums along Biscayne Bay urging officials to reject the proposal. The heliport, part of a marina for his yachts near the city’s port, is scheduled for review by the Miami Beach land-use committee at a public hearing on Thursday. Condo residents, representing about 2,000 apartments ranging from under $1 million to a $78 million triplex penthouse, argue the helicopter noise would be disruptive despite Griffin’s claims of using the quietest model.

John Stimmel, president of the Icon condo, dismissed Griffin’s noise assurances, citing his own inquiry to Chat GPT confirming expected noise levels. Griffin, who relocated Citadel and his family to Miami in 2022 and has a net worth of $57.5 billion per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, has assembled over $1 billion in South Florida real estate. While some wealthy enclaves like Palm Island, Hibiscus Island, and Star Island support the project—Griffin owns property on Star Island—opposition reflects growing resident concern over super-wealthy transplants reshaping the city post-pandemic.

Griffin hired former Miami Beach mayor Neisen Kasdin to lobby for the helipad, citing studies showing noise levels comparable to normal conversation. The marina project’s spokesperson said sound impact would be negligible and less disruptive than cruise ship horns. Miami Beach Commissioner Joe Magazine, who sponsors the proposal, said Griffin has shown willingness to be a community partner, and the city administration recommended approval.