Why it matters: Part of The Mill's structure was deemed unsafe in 2013, leaving 215 occupied flats with dangerous cladding and many leaseholders trapped in worthless properties they have never been able to occupy.
The big picture: Renowned local property developer John Howard, who purchased the freehold for £1 in July 2024, and his business partner and construction director, Paul Hardy, have now returned building tenders and are awaiting final approval from Gateway 2, the government body that checks buildings over 70m high, before work can begin.
He said: "Hopefully we'll be in a position to start work in May next year. This is a very challenging project and has taken the support of the residents, Homes England, the Levelling Up Fund and Ipswich Borough Council to get to where we are today."
The details: The £30-40m project will tackle dangerous cladding on 215 occupied flats in Suffolk's tallest building, and create 85 new one and two-bedroom apartments in the unfinished tower.
Work is expected to take 18 months to complete once it begins, with Howard saying there will be "lots of disruption for residents" but hoping to avoid moving them out during the works.
The developer has secured grant funding from Homes England to support the completion of the tower.
For context: The Mill's troubles began when gale-force winds tore cladding away from the building in 2013, exposing fire hazards. The freeholder went into administration in 2010, leaving many leaseholders unable to move into completed properties or remortgage.
Multiple attempts to resolve the situation have failed over the past 15 years, with the cost of repairs reaching an estimated £30m before Howard's takeover.
Howard, who successfully transformed the Winerack development and purchased the former Great White Horse Hotel in May 2025, brings over 40 years of experience to the project.
What's next: The government's Gateway 2 approval process can take up to six months, though Howard remains optimistic about an earlier decision. Once approved, contractors can begin the 18-month construction programme – albeit with the usual caveats that come with complex projects.
The bottom line: After 15 years of looking at a part-finished building with dangerous cladding, Ipswich waterfront may finally see The Mill completed, making 215 occupied flats safe and adding 85 new homes to Suffolk's skyline.
