Luxury apartments in a defect-riddled complex are still listed for sale despite a watchdog calling it one of the ‘worst buildings’ ever inspected.
The Crownview Wollongong, a $120million development about 65km south of Sydney, was touted as ‘a striking addition to Wollongong’s skyline’ with an eight-storey and a 20-storey tower sitting over a split podium.
However, construction has been fraught since an inspection by NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler in November 2022 resulted in a prohibition order citing structural issues.
Stakeholders invested $37million in an attempt to fix those issues, but additional defects were uncovered during efforts to rectify the original defects, resulting in a second prohibition order on February 12 this year.
Mr Chandler inspected the development himself three days later, issued a stop-work order, and slammed the building as ‘appalling’ and ‘one of the worst I’ve ever inspected’.
A video posted on social media showed the post-tensioning cables of the building – which allowed builders to use thinner slabs of concrete while still supporting the same weight – had not been installed properly.
Individual apartments were spruiked as having panoramic ocean views with high-end appliance and cost anywhere between $420,000 for a one-bedroom unit, to $4.3million for three bedrooms and a study, according to online listings.
The Crownview Wollongong (pictured) is a $120million development about 65km south of Sydney
Real estate listings for individual units promised panoramic ocean and city views (artist render pictured)
One-bedroom units sell for about $420,000, while a three-bedroom unit with a study will set owners back by an eye-watering $4.3million
About 50 per cent of the 149 units in the building have already been sold and deposits are held in a trust account, but prohibition orders prevent the new owners from moving in until the defects are resolved.
Some investors bought off the plan six years ago and were told last February that they could move into the building in April, but were then told in June that the building would remain empty until November.
A month later, the first prohibition order was issued.
Daily Mail Australia understands that a portion of those original buyers changed their minds after the order in December 2022 and had their deposits fully refunded.
All prospective buyers are told about the defects. Agencies are still showing buyers through the building, but no units have been sold since December 2022.
Sales listings for some of the apartments still feature on property websites.
‘Currently under construction and close to being completed,’ one listing says, which includes a buyers guide of $519,000.
‘This magnificent one-bedroom apartment offers excellent views of the city and escarpment.’
The most expensive units, worth between $1.3million and $4.3million, have not been sold.
The NSW Building Commissioner found serious defects in the property (pictured)
Stakeholders have already spent $37million trying to fix the defects (pictured)
One issue was that post-tensioning cables had not been installed properly
The site was first brought to Mr Chandler’s attention in 2021 when problems in the basement were detected.
Inspectors then identified the need for additional columns on several floors, including 17 in the basement to bear the load of the building.
It was then discovered that post-tensioning cables, a key support for concrete construction, had not been installed properly.
Cables are normally grouted once steel is tensioned but close inspection found that many were submerged in water instead of grout.
‘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,’ Mr Chandler said.
He explained projects need to be built correctly from the outset and any problems dealt with during the early phases of construction, long before occupants move in and do not have to fix defects themselves.
‘This kind of work doesn’t just risk leaving owners out of pocket, it can be dangerous,’ he said.
There will be a meeting between Mr Chandler and key stakeholders to determine a way forward.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the construction group and the developer for comment.
Do you know more? Email charlotte.karp@mailonline.com
Pictured: NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler, who issued the stop-work order
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