And I usually like to rush the end of game by filling up my town with buildings.
The Large Sugar Mill just made me think you were going for the Guild Hall, so I bought it when I had the chance even though the City Hall was better for me at the time. (Plus buying the Guild Hall is usually best in the long run anyway!)
It’s often a tough choice between Wharf / Harbour or a bonus points building - especially when someone else is clearly going for a Shipping strategy - but between @Hardco and I both trying to rush the end, it did turn out to be too little too late.
My surprise was that @JMH.75 took Mayor at the end - I assume it was to make sure he got a colonist in his Fortress (and to get more points from the Fortress for getting extra colonists) but it definitely meant that Wharf didn’t get put to full use.
Having said all that, with a 3 point gap between 1st and 3rd place it’s hard to say anyone made a “mistake”! Again, a great game all around.