A group representing owners of the $15 million Highbridge condominiums on Milwaukee's east side have sued the building's developer, contending that poor construction and materials have caused their windows and walls to leak.
 
The Highbridge Condominium Owners Association, representing owners of the $300,000 condominiums at 1888 N. Water St., filed suit Monday in Milwaukee County Circuit Court against New Land Enterprises L.L.P. The association is seeking $8 million from New Land, which is owned by Boris Gokhman and Walter Shukh.
 
New Land built the condominiums in 2000 and 2001, selling 26 of the 27 units.
 
According to the lawsuit, the condominium owners are frustrated over the developer's apparent refusal to address their leakage problems -- first reported in 2002. The owners hired a Chicago-based engineering company -- Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc. -- to investigate the problems.
 
The firm allegedly found that inferior building materials and construction techniques allowed water to run into the building around window frames and between the brick veneer and underlying wood framing, according to the lawsuit. As a result, mold has grown in various areas -- and water stains are present in other parts of the building, according to the lawsuit.
 
The $8 million being sought would cover repairs and compensate owners for the damage.
 
Jeff Aiken, an attorney at Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. in Milwaukee representing New Land, said he had not seen the lawsuit and could not comment on it.
 
New Land Enterprises was founded about 12 years ago. In 2002, financing troubles forced the company to step down as lead developers of the 33-story, $52 million Kilbourn Towers condo project on city-owned property at the corner of North Prospect and East Kilbourn avenues.
 

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