Leaky building trouble goes upmarket

The Bacchus apartment block in Browns Bay was developed by Joel McLellan five years ago. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Homeowners of the upmarket Bacchus Apartment block at Browns Bay on Auckland's North Shore, have learned the complex is leaking.

The Herald understands the residents, many of them elderly, were given the bad news this month.

The resort-style development is in the heart of the town centre and a short stroll from the beach.

Homeowners did not wish to discuss the matter yesterday.

One man who planned to talk to the Herald was stopped by Ross Dunn, who claimed to be the manager of the 48-unit complex in Bute Rd.

The three-storey block, with penthouse suites on the top floor, showed telltale signs of having been tested for moisture recently - numerous plugged holes and pieces of cladding cut off and replaced on balconies.

Bacchus was developed by Joel McLellan five years ago and was marketed as one of the most admired residential developments on the North Shore. The builders were Multiplex.

Mr McLellan said last night that the company that developed Bacchus, Bute Rd Developments, went into liquidation four years ago and he had had nothing to do with the property since then.

He was aware of the problems.

Asked if he felt any responsibility, moral or otherwise, about the problems at Bacchus, Mr McLellan said: "I haven't really got any comment, to be quite honest."

He said he was no longer involved in property development.

Mr McLellan was taken to the Environment Court in 2001 by the North Shore City Council for not providing the necessary 28 visitor carparks at his Casbella townhouse development on Albany Highway, and for failing to build a screened rubbish disposal area.

At Bacchus, a second-floor, two-bedroom apartment is currently being marketed as "hassle-free living" for $429,000.

The North Shore City Council compliance and monitoring adviser, Brian Gunson, said he was unaware of any leaky building claim at Bacchus Apartments.

The North Shore council said last month that it was involved in 50 active claims totalling about $3.3 million.