Jean Nassif-linked Skyview apartment development hit with new fire safety breaches

Multiple new faults in fire safety systems have been found in Castle Hill’s embattled Skyview development which is linked to equally-embattled property developer Jean Nassif.

A massive apartment project in Sydney’s northwest linked to embattled property developer Jean Nassif has been hit with new safety breaches, causing the local mayor to lash poorly-built homes as adding to the city‘s housing woes.

The partially-completed Skyview development in Castle Hill – which has previously had its occupation certificate revoked over extensive signs of cracking in the basements – had new safety breaches revealed by the Hills Shire Council this week.

It comes after an inspection of the project found multiple faults with the fire safety systems throughout the complex, with breaches including fire doors which don’t close, a faulty sprinkler system, and covers over smoke detectors in a basement carpark.

When finished the complex will include five towers and 960 “luxurious” apartments.

Two towers have already been completed with residents living there, while another three are under construction.

Embattled and absent property developer Jean Nassif, left, and the Skyview development at Castle Hill. Pictures: News Corp/Supplied

The two companies listed as owners and developers of the towers, 51 OCHR and JKN Finance, were both placed in receivership earlier this year, with advisory firm KordaMentha appointed as receivers and managers.

Mr Nassif, the founder of Toplace, is also the director of both companies, business records show.

It’s believed Mr Nassif has been in rural Lebanon for the last few months, with detectives from the NSW Police organised crime squad earlier this month granted an arrest warrant in relation to fraud-related charges.

His daughter, Ashlyn, has also been charged with dishonestly obtaining a financial advantage by deception and publishing false or misleading material after she allegedly submitted fake contracts to obtain a $150m bank loan, allegedly to help meet a pre-sales condition for Skyview.

Hills Shire Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi said the Castle Hill development was an example of new apartments which undermined buyers’ confidence.

“Too often, we see new apartment buildings failing to comply with basic building codes, and this Castle Hill development is a prime example. It’s already had dealings with the Building Commissioner and Fair Trading for building defects in the basement carpark, and now we have fire safety breaches,” he said.

“The housing crisis is a topic of concern, and a real factor in that is the construction of poorly built large buildings which are preventing people from moving in or living within their homes.”

Toplace and KordaMentha were contacted for comment.