Building watchdog David Chandler says luxury apartment complex one of ‘worst’ ever seen

It features expansive view of the ocean and high-end appliances, but this $120 million luxury apartment complex is one of the ‘worst’ the state’s building watchdog has ever inspected.

A new luxury apartment ­complex featuring panoramic ocean views and high-end ­appliances has been described by the state’s building watchdog as one of the “worst buildings” he has ever inspected.

A meeting has now been scheduled between NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler and the key stakeholders involved to determine the way forward for the Wollongong complex after it was the subject of a stop work order this week.

Completed last year for more than $120 million, the Crownview Wollongong was described by its developers as “a striking addition to Wollongong’s skyline” with an eight-storey and a 20-storey tower sitting over a split podium.

A luxury apartment complex in Wollongong has been labelled one of the worst building’s ever inspected.

Stop work order issued on luxury apartment complex after serious defects uncovered this week

With 149 apartments – some of which have been sold – the building was the subject of a prohibition order in December 2022 after serious defects were identified with the building’s structural system.

Prohibition orders prevent the occupation of the building until a developer remediates the defects.

Last month, the building was again on the radar of the Building Commission NSW after it received a report that additional structural defects had been identified in the course of implementing the original structural defects ­rectification work.

A stop work order was placed on the building. .

The building was completed for $120m with stakeholders spending $37m fixing issues.

On February 12, Mr Chandler issued a second prohibition order, which included a “building work rectification order”.

However, during his own inspection of the building three days later, Mr Chandler found further structural defects, prompting him to issue a stop work order

It is understood a meeting will occur with stakeholders, who are believed to have already spent around $37 million in fixing the issues.

There are 149 apartments in the building.

Building commissioner David Chandler. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It is understood one of the key problems involves the ­cables inside the building slabs, which are laid inside ducts and “tensioned” after the concrete is placed.

The cables should be grouted once the steel is tensioned but the inspections have found many are laying in water ­instead of grout.

“This is an appalling building and one of the worst I’ve ever inspected,” Mr Chandler said.

“Building Commission NSW is working hard to lift the capability of the state’s building industry to deliver the quantity and quality of housing the people of NSW need.

“To be successful in this endeavour we must ensure projects are built right from the beginning and any problems and defects are dealt with early, long before occupants move in, so that owners do not have to take action to fix defects themselves.”

NSW Building Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the intervention was designed to avoid another “Mascot Towers” scenario, where owners last week voted to sell their defect-ridden apartments after the government offered a rescue package.

“This kind of work doesn’t just risk leaving owners out of pocket, it can be dangerous,; he said. “The lessons from buildings like Mascot Towers couldn’t be clearer, stepping in before a building is occupied can save years of heartache and uncertainty.”

Comment was sought from the ­developer.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Building watchdog David Chandler says luxury apartment complex one of ‘worst’ ever seen