71 Drumalbyn Rd: Monica Saunders-Weinberg’s $8m Bellevue Hill development determined
A multimillion-dollar home renovation plan by Westfield shopping centre billionaire Monica Saunders-Weinberg has been determined after sparking opposition from neighbours.
Wentworth Courier
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One of Australia’s wealthiest women has won the green light to push ahead with an ambitious $8m renovation that will amalgamate three suburban blocks into a luxurious mansion.
Monica Saunders-Weinberg, daughter of Westfield shopping centre co-founder John Saunders, first submitted a development application to Woollahra Council for her sprawling project at 71 Drumalbyn Rd in February 2022.
Several previous applications – beginning back in 2017 – to demolish two properties at 71 and 77 Drumalbyn Rd and merge three residential blocks across 71, 75 and 77 on the road were approved by the council in recent years.
But letters of objection tabled by several high profile neighbours, including former Woollahra councillor and financier Jeff Zulman, delayed progress this year as residents raised fears “excessively high landscaping” would overshadow surrounding properties.
Objectors told the council they were unhappy European style “beautiful old buildings” would be demolished, impacting the established character of the area, raised concerns the dual occupancy property would add to car overcrowding, and complained the massive renovations would cause excessive noise.
Now, the council’s planning panel has given the opulent plans the green light to proceed following several changes made to assuage residents and the council’s concerns.
The finalised plans will see a sprawling two-dwelling mansion with landscaping and a new swimming pool constructed on the massive 3407 sqm land created from three existing allotments.
While the streetfront will remain discreet, the three-storey homes built on a steep incline will include six bedrooms, basement parking for five vehicles, tennis courts, a pool, spa and sauna, and extensive landscaped grounds.
The property will also house a home office, media room, wine cellar and two formal dining rooms.
Previous plans which outlined five separate dwellings were changed to comply with the council’s restrictions in low density residential areas and to reduce landscaping that overshadowed nearby property.
One of the richest women in the country, 42-year-old Ms Saunders-Weinberg inherited an estimated $2 billion fortune along with her sister when her father died in 1997. Her mother passed away several years later.
Known for her low profile, the eastern suburbs native has gained notoriety in recent years as she has allowed her under-the-radar philanthropic endeavours to come into public view – including $4.1 million raised as committee chair for Gold Dinner; the annual fundraiser for the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation.
Ms Saunders-Weinberg was approached for comment.
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