Sorkin paid $36 million for the 1.2‑acre waterfront property in mid‑2023 after a bidding war that saw other developers drop out.
The 11,000‑sq‑ft home was a 1963 masterpiece by Alfred Browning Parker, whose work blended natural materials with the tropical climate, earning praise in outlets like House Beautiful.
Because the Wood Residence never received formal historic designation, Sorkin could file a standard demolition permit under the city’s zoning ordinance, bypassing the usual heritage review.
Architectural historians and Docomomo US Florida members staged protests, arguing that the lack of emergency preservation checks leaves mid‑century landmarks vulnerable to developers seeking larger, more lucrative estates. Long‑time Coral Gables resident Maria Lopez said the demolition felt like a "piece of our history ripped out."
City officials acknowledged the concerns and said they will examine the possibility of tightening the ordinance to trigger mandatory preservation reviews for properties on Biscayne Bay.