The oft-delayed Solis Resort Spa & Residences is behind in its fee payments to Sunny Isles Beach and the city says it's time to pay up or face legal action that could sink the oceanfront high-rise project.

The unfinished Solis Resort towers over the Ocean Palm Hotel on Collins Avenue.

Danny Tantleff, the former Bal Harbour mayor who is the public face of the project, told the City Commission July 16 that he had a letter of committment for financing from a hedge fund investor and expects to have cash in hand to pay the city the almost $700,000 owed by Aug. 15. The project is two months in arrears on payments.

While the commission agreed to be patient until Aug. 15, Tantleff was told it would be the final delay. Mayor Norman Edelcup recalled that the previous payment delay had triggered an increase in interest charges on the outstanding amount and said if the Aug. 15 deadline wasn't met, legal action would follow.

Commissioner Roslyn Brezin said she was tired of the unsightly construction site at 15701 Collins Ave. and wanted action. Shear walls and floors have been poured up to the 10th floor and two construction cranes are on site.

Tantleff, portfolio manager for Forkosh Development Group, assured commissioners that his group was working night and day to get the project back on track.

The Solis Resort was scheduled to open in 2008. The 53-story tower would include a mix of  140 traditional hotel rooms and 135 condominiums. The two- and three-bedroom condo units had been offered for pre-sale prices ranging from $1.4- to $2.4 million.

The project is developed by Solis Hotels and Forkosh Development Group. The architect is Arquitectonica. In June, 2008, Solis nnounced a deal with Prince and Princess Strozzi of Italy to open a restaurant at the resort featuring Tuscan Riviera cuisine.