Rosebery: Multiple defects uncovered at Toplace Jolyn Park development in building watchdog inspection

Serious defects have been uncovered at a multimillion dollar housing project built by fugitive developer Jean Nassif’s failed Toplace company – sparking uncertainty for apartment owners of the site.

Another Sydney apartment linked to fugitive developer Jean Nassif’s companies has been hit with orders to fix “serious defects” after the site came under scrutiny from the state’s building watchdog.

The Jolyn Place development at 67-77 Epsom Rd, Rosebery has been issued a rectification order requiring defects to be fixed following four inspections by officers from Fair Trading NSW.

The development has also been issued a separate prohibition order – meaning no further occupational certificates allowing residents to move into units can be issued until the order is revoked by Fair Trading NSW

A report by Fair Trading NSW reveals the defects at the complex related to inadequate waterproofing works, fire safety, and structural elements of the building.

The order has been issued to DVT Group, the administrators of Toplace which was operated by Jean Nassif before the company fell into liquidation earlier this year.

A photo of the development identified by Fair Trading NSW.

The Rosebery unit complex is the 10th Sydney development linked to Toplace and its subsidiaries to be issued with separate rectification orders since 2021.

NSW Police have an arrest warrant for Nassif who is facing fraud allegations in Australia and earlier this year was sighted hiding in rural Lebanon.

Property developer Jean Nassif, pictured here in 2022.

The Fair Trading rectification order for Jolyn Place requires the defects to be fixed within a three-month period along with a requirement to ensure any “consequential damage” is fixed.

DVT group was contacted for comment about the rectification order and whether the three month deadline could be met, however the company did not respond to questions.

A photo of the Jolyn Place development, which is currently being advertised to buyers.

Planning records show the Jolyn Place development was approved by the City of Sydney in two stages in 2010 and 2016.

The development has 266 units and 71 serviced apartments along with ground floor retail tenancies.

Units in the new complex are currently advertise for sale, described as offering buyers a chance to live in an “urban village” with “character and charm”

NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler said the defects at the site are “likely to be costly” to repair.

“However, the cost to the developer must be balanced against the benefit to the occupiers to be gained from identifying the specific building work that will eliminate the serious defects,” he said.