Coogee: F45 owner Marc Marano’s Gordons Bay home renovation plans spark neighbour opposition

A Sydney gym mogul’s home renovation plans have sparked backlash from neighbours in the eastern suburbs with claims the development would create a “man-made cliff” and block their ocean views.

A Sydney gym mogul’s home renovation plans has sparked backlash from his eastern suburbs neighbours the with claims the development could create a “man-made cliff” that would block their ocean views.

Former real estate agent turned F45 gym owner Marc Marano has lodged a $2.8 million development to revamp his oceanfront Coogee home in a move designed to create more privacy and open space areas.

A bulk of the construction works would be focused on addressing the steep topography of Mr Marano’s backyard, which is currently layered on terraces sloping towards Gordon Bay and visible from the popular Bondi to Coogee coastal walk.

Development works would involve levelling the garden by raising the height of the yard by up to seven meters from ground level before adding a new swimming pool and landscaping works.

Mr Marano – who lodged the plans to Randwick Council with his wife Devyn Marano – also wants to modify the existing home with features including new window glazing and external screening for privacy.

The renovation would involve levelling the backyard.

The development was given an airing at a recent community meeting where members voted unanimously to “urgently register” their objections to the council.

One neighbour, who attended the meeting and asked not to be named, believes the development could “create a man-made cliff as high as a three storey house” that would overshadow the coastal walk, bushland and block views from surrounding homes.

The front of the home where a a $2.8 million development to renovate is causing concern with neighbours.

“If it’s allowed, it would carve a huge chunk out of the views of Gordons Bay and would completely overshadow our back gardens and in turn we’d lose our privacy,” he said.

“Like everyone who visits Gordons Bay, we love it and are lucky to live here and our sloping backyards are how we share the views with each other and the community.”

“(The proposal) is taller than the Berlin Wall and is just above a coastal path that will tower above people walking by and completely change the landscape of the area.”

The plans come less than 18 months after Mr Marano forked out $12.85 million for the five bedroom property in December 2020 — smashing the then suburb record by almost 4 million.

The views from the homes along the street are spectacular.

Marc Marano has lodged the development plans to Randwick Council.

A plan outlining the current yard heights (shown in light grey) and the proposal levelling works.

Plans stated the proposal had been designed to “improve the presentation (of the home) to the public foreshore area” and was “well set back” from neighbouring properties.

The proposal also stated the “steep slope” of the existing yard meant it is “seldom used”.

The home overlooks Gordons Bay.

The home boasts spectacular coastal views.

“Overall, the proposed alterations and additions will significantly improve the dwelling’s presentation to the streetscape and to the rear, foreshore area,” the proposal said.

“The proposed development is not expected to have an adverse social impact on the locality”

The Southern Courier attempted to contact Mr Marano for further comment about the proposal but did not receive a response at the time of publication.

Randwick councillor Rafaela Pandolfini has meanwhile raised concerns the development could open the floodgates for more residents in the area lodging similar plans in order to retain their ocean views.

“It’s not only a monolith that will impact the coastal walk but with all development proposals, once one gets through it sets a precedent. That’s the biggest concern,” she said.

The proposal is currently under assessment by Randwick Council and is open for public feedback.