Southquay SQ1 Greenway Tuggeranong - Empire Global

It’s now some time this thread was posted. I assume you are now in the apartment. How has the experience been? Any majore problems with the building?
I am thinking of buying an apartment next door by the same developers. Advice please!

dungfungus said :

Having Bunnings just across the road will be a big plus for residents there.

Easy access to a sausage sizzle on the weekend is a basic human right.

riotguyact said :

My Partner and I have purchased from Empire Global at their Wright Development.
Prior to purchase I did some research.
They are really good, obviously there is always 1 or 2 complaints and that’s normal considering at the scale they build. Not to mention – they were small issues that got fixed – NOT major.

We are still yet to move in (early 2015), however the build looks to be great quality and when I showed my Builder mate, he was impressed that they build the way they do, as it is a bit old fashioned – In the good way.

SQ1 is a massive development, from memory 250+/- units. So I really doubt anything “bad” will happen. I say go for it.

Having Bunnings just across the road will be a big plus for residents there.

If you still can I would say don’t buy until you have looked at other developments they have done. It appears many corners have been cut. I would not trust the positive reviews below – pretty sure its the builders.

After purchasing one of Empire’s units i would recommend a trip out to Franklin. Mosaic apartments will shed some light on your decision. All the best with your purchase

My Partner and I have purchased from Empire Global at their Wright Development.
Prior to purchase I did some research.
They are really good, obviously there is always 1 or 2 complaints and that’s normal considering at the scale they build. Not to mention – they were small issues that got fixed – NOT major.

We are still yet to move in (early 2015), however the build looks to be great quality and when I showed my Builder mate, he was impressed that they build the way they do, as it is a bit old fashioned – In the good way.

SQ1 is a massive development, from memory 250+/- units. So I really doubt anything “bad” will happen. I say go for it.

rommeldog56 said :

Also when the deep holes were excavited on that site some months ago they filled with water after storms. That has gone now I think but Im not sure if that will affect the foundations/footings of the buildings to be built over them or if that water came from underground as well as from rain).

Those are deliberate containment ponds to control sediment during earlier stages of earth works. Foundations should go far deeper than they were dug since you’d be among for rock.

Yeah – I know 2 people who have “downsized” in past few years – both to 3 br units. One in Kingston and one in Molonglo Valley. Both have major structual issues with their units ranging from water leaks that dont seem to be able to be fixed, movement caused gasp around windows/doors and cracks in ealls that while the bulider keeps on fixing, keep on reappearing. These arn’t small cracks/gaps caused by settling either. These 2 unit blocks are essentiall jerry built.

Before you jump in, I strongly suggest that you do some research, or hire a structual engineer to advise u on the type of footings/foundations that the builder is proposing to use & whether these are suitable for that location/soil (which as I seem to recall was infilled many years ago and/or was some sort of swamp or was boggy soil ? Maybe Im wrong about that ?) .

Also when the deep holes were excavited on that site some months ago they filled with water after storms. That has gone now I think but Im not sure if that will affect the foundations/footings of the buildings to be built over them or if that water came from underground as well as from rain).

And the usual, check with Fair Trading or the planning authority for issues with the developer/builder.

My perception and from what i hear around town, is that these higer density buildings are quite poorly constructed in Canberra.

Good luck !

I know several people who have purchased units in Canberra over the past 5 years and all are reporting major building defects. This is common knowledge.
At least you will have Bunnings open 7 days a week across the street so when you have to caulk those leaks, that will be convenient.