Here is a first look at one of the first flats to be completed in the Winerack on Ipswich Waterfront – they are due to be handed over to the developer next month and could be occupied by May.
The first phase of the development of the building that was left unfinished for nearly a decade after economic the crash of 2008/9 is due to be completed by the end of next month.
The work is being carried out by construction firm RG Carter for John Howard’s Ipswich Wharf Developments.
The first 11 two and three-bedroomed flats in the section of the building that overhangs the Waterfront footpath are due to be handed over to Mr Howard next month and are currently being actively marketed.
They will cost from £325,000 to up to £475,000 for one of the fourth floor penthouses.
When work on the Winerack is completed in 2021, there will be a total of 150 flats in the development which includes a 19-storey tower block.
But before residents start to move into flats, a delegation from Ipswich Borough Council was shown around to see progress – and to study safety measures built into the project.
The borough delegation included council leader David Ellesmere who said he was very impressed with what was happening at the building that was seen for years as Ipswich’s own memorial to the crash of 2008/9.
Mr Ellesmere said: “Our building control department has been working very closely with the developer and Carter’s to ensure that all the flats have full smoke alarms amd sprinklers fitted and have fire precautions that are well above the minimum standards required.”
The borough has been taking a close interest in the development – and has been working closely with RG Carter to ensure everything is as smooth as possible.
Work started on completing the project last year after several years of negotiations between Mr Howard and the government to secure help with financing the scheme. An 80-metre crane is being used on the main tower.
Before work could start there had to be a full survey of the frame of the building – which gave rise to the name the Winerack – to ensure the concrete skeleton which had been exposed to the elements had not been damaged by the weather over the years.
Winerack’s long wait for completion
What has now become known as the Winerack was originally the second tower of the Regatta Quay project started by development company City Living in 2007.
This was aimed at transforming the former Paul’s Maltings site – and the first tower and former Maltings buildings were completed within three years.
But City Living was reliant on finance from Irish banks, and when this sector collapsed during the financial crisis the developers were forced to stop work and call in receivers in early 2010.
The skeleton of the second block was left empty and became known as the Winerack. It was eventually bought by local developer John Howard in 2014.
His plans were delayed because he needed government support to get building work started – and this was eventually agreed allowing work to start in earnest early last year.
The project is now due to be completed by the end of 202 1 –15 years after work started.
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