News
Completion of iconic building dogged by a legal wrangle
The owner of the Baily Point complex in Salthill has said the front of the building – where plasterwork has been crumbling away for several years – will be repaired by the end of the year.
And he has said he is disappointed that the ground floor cinema and bar have still not opened, as the units are still the subject of legal action by the original developer of the site.
Bernard Duffy of TBD Developments told the Sentinel that a solution to the problem is being worked out – a number of large clumps of plaster have fallen away because plastic arrises were not installed properly.
“We inherited the problem when we took over. Some of the plastic arrises, like around the edge of the windows, were not installed properly. That’s what has caused the problem, and we’re working on a solution. It will be done within the year,” said Mr Duffy.
He added that he is “disappointed” the ground floor of the complex – which have been partially fitted-out for a 10-screen cinema, bar and restaurant.
He said the commercial units are still the subject of litigation taken by Brian Cunningham of the Cunningham Group – the original developer of Baily Point.
Mr Duffy bought the premises out of receivership in 2003, and had set a completion date of December 2004.
“Of course I’m disappointed. It’s going on for ten years now in the High Court and Supreme Court. It’s an iconic site, and we just want to see it finished. I won’t put a date on it because there have been so many false dawns,” said Mr Duffy.
It’s understood the commercial units would take around six months to complete. The residential element of the complex is complete – there are around 80 apartments and penthouses, and around 80% were sold by the time of the property market crash. It is believed Mr Duffy retained ownership of the remaining units.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.