August Towers developer Build 29 will defend $177,800 lawsuit lodged by Bianco Construction Supplies

THE developer of a $35 million apartment tower in the city is being sued by well-known SA construction materials supplier Bianco for alleged unpaid bills.

August Towers on the corner of Hutt St and South Tce is nearing completion according to its developer who is being sued for alleged outstanding payments to Bianco Construction Supplies. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

• $35 million apartment planned for Hutt St
• Adelaide’s billion-dollar construction boom
• Interactive: bird’s-eye view of Adelaide

THE lawyer for a developer of a $35 million luxury city apartment building says his client will defend allegations it owes $177,000 to one of South Australia’s leading building supply companies.

Bianco Construction Supplies is suing developer Build 29 in the District Court alleging the company, which is building the 14-storey August Towers on the corner of South Tce and Hutt St, ignored demands to pay $156,714 lodged between June and August last year.

In its statement of claim, filed last November, the company is also seeking $15,671 in legal and debt collection costs, and $5487 in interest from Build 29.

According to the claim a copy of which The Advertiser obtained through the Courts Administration Authority, Bianco issued a debt collection notice on October 13 last year to Build 29, whose director is Sam Sgherza.

Adelaide property developer Sam Sgherza, director of the Sam Sgherza Group of Builders, is building August Towers.

In its claim Bianco Construction Supplies said Build 29 entered into an agreement “to pay for goods and services within the time frame stipulated by the plaintiff’s invoices.”

Bianco Construction Supplies was granted a default judgment for the money in January 18.

But lawyer Matthew Thompson, acting for Build 29, said Bianco Construction Supplies had agreed to set aside the judgement, which he said was issued on a misunderstanding, and that his client will defend the claim.

He would not elaborate on the nature of the defence in the matter which is listed for a hearing tomorrow.

Daniel Sghirripa, of Build 29, said that investors have started settling on properties and he hoped of the building would be finished by next month.

“It’s all definitely happening, it’s coming together,” he said of the project which has been under construction since late 2015.

The project also involves restoration of the 1876 State heritage-listed former TPI Association building facing South Tce.

The Advertiser has sought comment from Bianco Construction Supplies managing director Dino Pietrobon.

James Devonish, of Lynch Myer Lawyers acting for Bianco Construction Supplies, declined to comment when contacted this morning.