Owner of Cardinal Lofts in Ipswich will explore options

Grey GR, the freeholder of Cardinal Lofts in Foundry Lane, said that the process of buying back the flats from residents is "still underway" with the fate of the building yet to be decided.

In November 2022, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service asked residents to leave the building, before a prohibition notice in February 2023 prompted a full evacuation.

Cardinal Lofts is located near the Ipswich Waterfront (Image: Newsquest)

In October of 2023, Grey GR offered to buy the 80 flats back from leaseholders, but many of these were under the market value.

When approached for an update on the process of buying the flats back, a spokesman from Grey GR said: "The process is still underway, and Grey will explore options for the site in due course.”

The number of remaining leaseholders has not been specified, but eight flats were known to still be owned by former residents in October 2024.

Previously, Grey GR said that "remedial work" to the building would be "uneconomical and unviable" and therefore unlikely the building will house residents again.

Cardinal Lofts

On November 15, 2022, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service issued a prohibition notice on the building, restricting access to some parts of the property.

All residents in Cardinal Lofts were later asked to leave their homes due to the building being "no longer safe for occupation".

In November 2024, after the first evacuation, Grey GR said it was in the process of negotiating with flat owners and renters over buyout offers.

The firm confirmed that negotiations were ongoing with the few remaining leaseholders in August of 2025.

Following reports of urban explorers in the building, Grey GR urged trespassers to stay away from the 'unsafe' building.