Cardinal Loft repairs in Ipswich uneconomical and unviable

Grey GR, the freeholder of Cardinal Lofts, says it hopes to reach a resolution for the building as it continues conversations with eight leaseholders.

It is officially two years since some of the block's residents were asked to evacuate by Suffolk Fire and Rescue at around 10pm on November 15 2022.

Residents were first evacuated from Cardinal Lofts on Foundry Lane on November 15, 2022 at 10pm (Image: Lucy Brown) Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service issued a prohibition notice, restricting access to some parts of Cardinal Lofts in Foundry Lane due to a fire risk, with a full evacuation ordered in February 2023.

In October of last year, Grey GR offered to buy the 80 flats back from leaseholders, which residents said they had mixed emotions over.

The work continues to finalise negotiations before the next steps can be taken.

The remaining residents were evacuated in February 2023 and many have been living in temporary accommodation since (Image: Lucy Brown) A spokesperson from Grey GR said: “Cardinal Lofts is a complex building, requiring significant structural and remedial work, caused by the original developers, which should never have been approved by building control.

"Following intensive intrusive investigations last year, Grey’s professional teams concluded it was uneconomical and unviable to remediate the building.

"Throughout the process, leaseholder and resident safety has been our priority. Appropriate accommodation has been provided and Grey has continued to work closely with leaseholders."

The freeholder has revealed that out of the 80 flats in the building, only eight have not been bought back by Grey GR (Image: Lucy Brown) The company said the situation had been "difficult" for everyone involved which led to the company deciding that the best solution was to start the buy-back scheme.

They also said that this would allow leaseholders to "move with forward with their lives" but some leaseholders previously said the received offers were below market value and could force them into bankruptcy.

According to the freeholder, the negotiations of buying back of the last eight flats are "complex" as the situations include working with multi-property landlords, the estate of a deceased leaseholder or where bankruptcy proceedings are in place. 

Repairs to the building have been deemed "uncomical and unviable" by Grey GR, meaning it is unlikely residents will be allowed to move back in (Image: Newsquest)"The vast majority have now accepted offers and many have completed. We continue to work with the remaining leaseholders to support their next steps," it said.

As well as this, Grey GR has stated that it's priority is on remediating all buildings it is responsible for, but in the case of Cardinal Lofts, "remediation is unviable and, at the right time, will explore other options for the site."

Grey GR has confirmed that the building is uninhabitable but there is no further information about the future plans of Cardinal Lofts at this time.