The developer of the troubled Magdalena apartment building in North Cowichan is suing an engineering company over structural deficiencies in the building.

WestUrban Developments Inc. hired Krahn Engineering Inc., an Abbotsford-based company, to oversee the building’s structural design. The developer alleges Krahn improperly designed the building, leading to structural issues that could threaten the lives of tenants if left unaddressed, according to a statement of claim filed with the B.C. Supreme Court on June 1, 2022. 

Krahn Engineering has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit. Reached by phone on Aug. 9, David Krahn, founder and chairman of Krahn Engineering, declined to comment and declined to say who might be able to respond on the company’s behalf. 

The building was completed in late 2019. Last month, WestUrban Property Management informed tenants it has applied to evict all tenants for at least six months in order to complete repairs. If the Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB) grants WestUrban the order of possession, tenants will then be given four months’ notice to vacate. 

WestUrban Developments built the building and WestUrban Property Management, a related company, manages it. The Magdalena is owned by two companies, Green Road (Duncan) Limited Partnership and 1137364 B.C. Ltd., according to the court filing.

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