Millionaire neighbours fight over prestige riverfront peace and quiet
A millionaire property developer has taken a pair of ambitious brothers to court over their plans for a three-storey venue just 4m from his riverfront Brisbane mansion.
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A MILLIONAIRE property developer and publican is fighting his new neighbours in an exclusive riverfront enclave over their council-approved restaurant complex.
David Wheldon, 62, from Bulimba in Brisbane’s inner east, has taken a pair of ambitious and entrepreneurial young brothers to court in a bid to overturn the Brisbane City Council’s approval for a massive three-storey commercial building.
Brothers Brodie, 33, and Drew Haupt, 34, finance company whiz kids turned developers, are behind the complex, which boasts a rooftop deck and a bustling 100-seat restaurant.
Wheldon’s lawyers told the planning and environment division of Brisbane District Court that the council-approved restaurant complex, next to the Bulimba ferry terminal on Oxford St, was just 4m from Wheldon’s luxurious three-storey six-bedroom mansion on Quay St, Bulimba, and 8m from his bedroom.
Wheldon, who owns his $5 million riverfront mansion through his company Glamston Pty Ltd, says in court documents the restaurant — which sits to the south of his home — was likely to disturb him with “amplified music” and functions on its outdoor terraces overlooking the river.
Wheldon also argued the development doesn’t comply with planning laws and lacks on-site parking in the exclusive enclave.
Wheldon and his wife Jane formally objected to the development before taking legal action, court documents state.
Gillian Adams, a noise consultant hired by Mr Wheldon, told the court that the restaurant would likely have to close at 7pm to comply with noise regulations, and that she expected the restaurant would apply to extend its hours beyond 7pm “given the prime location”.
The Haupt brothers purchased the site through their company 11 Ludlow Pty Ltd (11 Ludlow) from retired surgeon Chris O’Connor for $5.3 million in October 2017 and have approval to knock down O’Connor’s old two-storey house.
The brothers, who own 70 per cent of 11 Ludlow along with business partner Robert Peter Knight, 44, of Balmoral, originally planned to include a 12-room boutique hotel in the building, but later scrapped this from their plan, which now consists of restaurants or cafes and office space.
The brothers are founders and owners of online nest-egg manager WLTH and Brodie claims on his LinkedIn page that Brodie Haupt has qualifications from the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford and a course at the prestigious Harvard business school in the US.
Another wealthy neighbour, Bruce James Rogers, who lives in a river-front apartment next to the historic 1880s ferry terminal, told the court he was “deeply concerned” about the noise, traffic and lack of parking.
Mr Rogers states in court documents that a petition against the development collected 128 signatures.
Wheldon owns the North Coast Tavern in Pacific Paradise, and is also a property developer.
He is a director and shareholder of Sunnygold Developments Pty Ltd, company records show.
11 Ludlow told the court that Wheldon’s case has failed and should be dismissed by the court, arguing it has included a riverfront park, for use by the public, as part of its development.
The BCC also submitted to the court that Wheldon’s application should fail.
The case is due back in court on Thursday.
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