Socialite Kristy Mirzikinian wins fight to renovate Point Piper mansion
She gained viral fame after a giant sinkhole opened up outside her Sydney mansion, forcing her to cancel a personal training appointment. Now socialite Kristy Mirzikinian has finally won the battle to rebuild her luxury Point Piper home.
NSW
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In 2017 Kristy Mirzikinian had her personal training session cancelled after a giant sinkhole opened up in front of her $10 million mansion in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs.
Ms Mirzikinian’s interview about the giant hole outside her Point Piper abode became a viral sensation when she told media: “My personal trainer’s come, my electricity is off, and now I don’t know what to do.”
Three years later and Ms Mirzikinian has again had a real estate problem involving big holes.
On Friday, she won a case in the NSW Land and Environment Court to knock down most of the home on Wentworth Ave, which is a short walk from the pad owned by former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, for a major renovation.
In its place, the mansion that enjoys views over Sydney Harbour, will undergo a substantial rebuild, with a new swimming pool and a luxury two-storey pile built over the top.
A look at the plans tendered to the court indicates the existing tennis court will remain.
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On July 31, Woollahra Council knocked back the $2.6 million renovation that also included exquisite landscaping of the outdoor areas.
So Ms Mirzikinian took the fight to court, which called a conciliation conference with the council and then approved the renovation, once some amendments were agreed to.
This included that the pump for the swimming pool or spa be located as far as possible from their neighbours so as not to disturb the peaceful surrounds. The lighting on the tennis court is also to be turned off after 9pm, the regulations said.
The new mansion was allowed to exceed the maximum height level with the court’s Commissioner Tim Horton finding “ … the area of the exceedence does not alter existing solar access to neighbouring properties or open space”.
Ms Mirzikinian lives at the property with her husband Warwick Mirzikinian, who is reportedly a high-flying poker champion.
According to property records, Ms Mirzikinian bought the mansion for $9.5 million in December 2008 and she is the sole owner.
Other property records said she took out a $10.5 million loan from St George Bank on February 6, 2009.
In February 2017, she became a viral sensation thanks to her appearance on news reports relating to a 15m sinkhole that had opened up on the road in front of the property.
She gave a memorable response to camera crews when interviewed by news crews about how the hole and the repairs were affecting her.
“I’m in shock right now because I’ve come home, and there’s a massive hole opposite my house, completely empty! Came out of nowhere!” she said while holding a Mercedes Benz umbrella.
“My personal trainer’s come, my electricity is off, and now I don’t know what to do.”
Ms Mirzikinian reported she had smelt gas leading up to the sinkhole emerging.
Originally published as Socialite Kristy Mirzikinian wins fight to renovate Point Piper mansion