For 13 years, a crying Hello Kitty fountain stood at the entrance of the W South Beach, becoming a frequented feature in the neighborhood. Then, one day last summer, it was gone.

Locals and tourists had long flocked to the 7.5-foot-tall bronze sculpture, painted white with water pouring out of its large, hollow eyes. Sculptures of two other famous characters, Miffy and My Melody, stood alongside Hello Kitty to complete the Codependent Fountain Tableau , an installation by American contemporary artist Tom Sachs.

The piece is owned by RFR, a Manhattan-based real estate investment firm that once also owned the W South Beach. In October 2024, RFR and co-owner Tricap sold the W South Beach for $400 million to Reuben Brothers, a private equity investment firm based in Geneva, Switzerland. Si

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