Developer Michael King has been working for more than two years on grand plans to transform the 19th-century, four-storey former mill building in Addington into a mecca of offices, restaurants, a theatre and apartments.
However, he said the constant dumping of rubbish outside the building could jeopardise the entire project.
“It drives me insane, I have got the boys out there cleaning it up and I’m paying their salaries to clean it up. The other thing is the state of the building, it is completely covered in graffiti.
“I can’t afford to pay people 40 to 50 bucks an hour every week to get rid of graffiti and rubbish,” he said.
Mr King said he has installed cameras due to the persistent dumping and vandalism.
“It is cheaper for me to buy cameras and monitor this, I can yell at people through the camera which freaks them out when the building starts talking to them.”
Stage one of the restoration was completed in July, which was largely structural work, repairing and strengthening the mill before turning the building into offices.
Stage two is converting the grain store building into restaurants, apartments and the community theatre, as well as refit with new roof and floors.
A glass tower joins the two buildings with stairs, a lift and toilets.
Mr King hoped to have the project completed within a year.
“I can’t afford to not have it finished by then.”
The restoration was previously delayed due to a pay dispute between Mr King and D & M Solutions.
This led to delays to work on the elevator, under-floor electricals and heating, ventilation and air conditioning, holding the project up.
However, the dispute has now been resolved and the work completed.
Before that, the works were delayed due to the creation of unit titles taking longer than anticipated to complete.
Mr King originally hoped to have eight restaurants and the theatre open by Show Weekend and the apartments finished early this year.
