"Grand Theft Auto VI" fans have wasted no time picking apart every frame of Rockstar's latest footage from the extended look release, and one dedicated sleuth just made a discovery that comes with an unexpected twist.
What started as a simple Google Maps search to locate Jason and Lucia's apartment building turned into a significant bounty hunt for the online detective.
'GTA 6' Fans Claim They Found Jason, Lucia's Apartment
Following the "Grand Theft Auto VI" Extended Look released on August 27, Instagram user 'prettyboycuh' shared a reel detailing how they tracked down the real-world building used as reference for the couple's apartment.
The search began by matching the building visible across the street from Jason and Lucia's apartment in the trailer, which was easy enough to locate on a current Google Maps search.
The apartment itself, however, did not show up anywhere on modern maps despite being in the same location. Rather than giving up, the user switched the historical imagery date back to 2013, and the missing building suddenly reappeared exactly where the trailer suggested it should be.
This feature on Google Maps makes it possible to turn back time and look at what a location once was and is incredibly helpful for demolished or refreshed areas or buildings.
Where Is the Reported Real-Life Vice City Apartment?
The building turned out to be the "Belmar Condo," a small 13-unit complex built in 1973 that once sat in Miami's Edgewater neighborhood, directly across from Margaret Pace Park with sweeping views of Biscayne Bay.
According to the Instagram user (via IGN), developers purchased the entire building for $12 million in 2022 with plans to replace it with a $300 million, 55-story tower called Vela.
Those redevelopment plans stalled after running into zoning pushback, and the developers ultimately withdrew their application in 2023.
As of 2026, the lot remains empty and listed as "on hold," meaning the original 1970s building Rockstar apparently scouted for reference now only exists digitally inside "Grand Theft Auto VI," years after being demolished in real life.
Archived Zillow listings for the property still show the building as it once stood, showing off the iconic orange-colored real estate.
Miami Is Indeed the In-Game Vice City
This is not the first time fans have connected real Miami locations to "Grand Theft Auto VI's" version of Vice City.
Since the Extended Look aired, players have also identified other real-world references scattered throughout the trailer. This includes the likes of Fontainebleau Miami Beach's Trésor Tower penthouse balcony, the Venetian Isle Condominium along the causeway, and a stadium modeled after the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat, reimagined in-game as the Sahara Arena.
Rockstar has a long history of recreating real-world locations across the "Grand Theft Auto" series while making small changes to avoid direct copyright issues, and this latest discovery continues that same pattern.
With "Grand Theft Auto VI" set to release this November 19, fans have already found plenty to dig through in the Extended Look alone, and further real-world comparisons are likely to keep surfacing as more marketing material rolls out ahead of launch.
