Harbourside home linked to the infamous ‘shark arm murder’ mystery embroiled in development stoush

A HARBOURSIDE property with a colourful history is facing two separate bids to stop its transformation from a run-down boat shed to a luxury home with the best views in town.

An artist’s impression of what the waterfront home could look like.

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THE owner of a house in the middle of a park is fighting in the courts to see it transformed into a luxury harbourside pad.

And, in a separate battle, local residents are lobbying for the property to be acquired by the State Government and incorporated into the park.

The home at 1 Henry Lawson Ave in McMahons Point has a colourful history with an apparent link to the grisly Shark Arm Murder mystery of the 1930s.

The current owner has been trying to have plans to develop the site approved by North Sydney Council since 2010.

The cost of redeveloping the existing property is estimated at $1.75 million.

In the most recent application, lodged in September 2015, David Wilkenfeld proposed to demolish the existing structures and construct a new building comprising of commercial use on the lowest level and a dwelling on the two floors above. The works are estimated to cost $1.75 million.

Mr Wilkenfeld lodged a ‘deemed refusal’ appeal with the Land and Environment Court in December. The court is due to hold a site inspection on August 22 and the hearing is set for the following two days.

A spokesman for the developer Revelop said the plans complied with a site-specific Development Control Plan (DCP) adopted by the council

“The DCP was adopted as recently as 2013,” the Revelop spokesman said.

The property is situated in an enviable harbour location.

“It permits a two-to-three storey mixed use development on the site comprising commercial use (ground floor) and residential use (second and third floor). This is what the applicant proposes for the site.

“The council has effectively refused the application, and so the applicant had no choice but to either abandon the application or apply to the Land and Environment Court.”

Meanwhile, nearby residents are lobbying the State Government to purchase the property and transform it into parkland.

Ian Curdie, Secretary of Lavender Bay Precinct, recently met with Treasurer Gladys Berejiklian on the issue. He has previously met with other local political representatives: Trent Zimmerman, Jillian Skinner and Joe Hockey.

“The treasurer is very supportive of the move to incorporate the site into Blues Point Reserve,” Mr Curdie said

The existing property has seen better days.

But it has amazing harbour views.

He said Ms Berejiklian was planning to consult with her relevant ministerial colleagues on the issue.

A spokeswoman for the minister confirmed the meeting but not the minister’s opinion on the site.

“The treasurer met with the group of citizens who would like the government to buy the land,” a spokeswoman for the minister said.

The Revelop spokesman acknowledged that the land could be acquired by the government.

“The applicant is fully aware that, at any time, the site could be compulsorily acquired,” he said. “However, the market value of the site would be very substantial and it remains for the State Government to determine whether that level of spend is in the public interest.

Ian Curdie would like to see the land acquired by the State Government and incorporated into the existing parkland.

“It should also be noted that the site has never been a public park; its historical use — and maritime significance — is one connected to boat repair and maintenance. The current DA proposes to re-establish that use in part.”

The house is heritage-listed by council — but not because of its links to the Shark Arm Murder case.

It was once owned by wealthy boatbuilder Reginald Holmes, who employed small-time criminal James Smith.

Smith’s arm was spat out by a shark at a Coogee aquarium on Anzac Day 1935 and Holmes was implicated in the resulting murder investigation, which centred on Patrick Brady, another criminal known to both men.

The shark that regurgitated the severed arm of petty criminal James Smith.

Boatbuilder Reginald Holmes.

Victim: former boxer James Smith.

Holmes initially denied he knew Brady but, before police could question him, he tried to shoot himself.

After the failed suicide attempt, Holmes told police he was being blackmailed by the two men and that Brady told him he had thrown Smith’s body into the sea.

On the morning of the inquest Holmes was found shot dead in his car. The case remains unsolved.

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David Wilkenfeld is the grandson of the founder of Bloch ballet and he purchased the property in 2009.

The property is situated on the waterfront in the park between McMahons Point Wharf and Blues Point Rd, a hugely popular spot for viewing the New Year’s Eve fireworks.