São Luís Court Orders Demolition of Illegal Floors at Lagoa Corporate

A judge in Maranhão has ordered the demolition of two excess floors from the Lagoa Corporate condominium in São Luís. The twin towers, built by Sá Cavalcante Incorporações Imobiliárias, were constructed with ten stories despite a municipal zoning limit of eight for the Corredor Consolidado 1 area.

Judge Douglas Martins annulled the construction permit, its renewals, the Habite‑se certificate and the urban operation term, finding that the developer used residential‑zone parameters (ZR2) for a site that faces a stricter corridor zone (CC1). The ruling holds both the developer and the São Luís municipality liable for urban damage, requiring demolition of the illegal floors within 180 days or payment of market‑value compensation. The action was brought by the Ministério Público do Maranhão, which argued the project violated the city’s master plan and zoning law.