National Guard Secures Legacy by AWA Property After Closure Seals Removed in Playacar

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — National Guard officers secured a property tied to the Legacy by AWA residential development in Playacar on Saturday after residents reported that municipal closure seals had been removed overnight.

The intervention came less than a day after municipal authorities inspected the site and placed new seals following public complaints about unauthorized tree clearing. By early Saturday, neighbors found the freshly placed seals had been taken down again, prompting federal officers to take control of the property as a precaution.

The site has been at the center of an environmental dispute since 2025. Earlier this month, videos and photographs circulated showing trees being cleared for condominium construction despite an active closure order. The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) had previously inspected the property and posted seals after determining environmental violations.

The development, planned to include about 220 units in Playacar, has continued to appear in real-estate listings. Neighbors say the project may now be marketed under the name Aura by AWA, a possible rebranding that has raised questions about whether the developer is attempting to relaunch the project or has made legal or administrative changes.

Residents have also demanded to know who removed the seals and allowed access to the site after municipal authorities had intervened just one day earlier.

The property now remains under federal control while the controversy continues to draw scrutiny from neighboring residents and environmental groups.