Airbnb boss Susan Wheeldon wins case for $2.1m knockdown of Vaucluse property

Aussie Airbnb boss Susan Wheeldon has overcome objections from her well-heeled neighbours, a protest from the Aboriginal Land Council, and a legal battle with Woollahra Council to get the go-ahead to build her dream house.

The plans for the development include a two-storey home, pool and wine cellar.

This is the glitzy $10 million mansion in Sydney’s eastern suburbs that you likely won’t see listed on Airbnb.

That’s because it is owned by the boss of the Australian arm of the global homestay marketplace empire, Susan Wheeldon.

And it has been at the centre of a legal battle that ended this week when Ms Wheeldon was given the green light to hit the go button for an enormous $2.1 million knock down and rebuild of the blue ribbon Vaucluse property.

The massive redevelopment will see a two-storey mansion (with a sizeable attic) complete with outdoor swimming pool, wine cellar and extensive landscaping built on the 812 sqm block, which Ms Wheeldon bought for $4.03 million in 2017.

According to land records, the property is now estimated to be worth more than $8 million, with the $2 million redevelopment expected to push that price even higher.

Australian Airbnb boss Susan Wheeldon has won a court battle to renovate her Vaucluse property.

The Aussie Airbnb boss overcame objections from her well-heeled neighbours, a protest from the Aboriginal Land Council, and a legal battle with Woollahra Council to get the go-ahead to build her dream house.

The case in the Land and Environment Court ended on Monday after Ms Wheeldon and the Council came to an agreement about the size and scope of the redevelopment.

It brought an end to the case, which was launched last October over Ms Wheeldon’s plans that she lodged with the council on June 29, 2023.

The exclusive neighbourhood’s alumni includes members of the Packer family, PR maven Roxy Jacenko, and banking and property executives.

It is not suggested that any of these people objected to Ms Wheeldon’s property development.

Ms Wheeldon did not answer calls for comment.

The Vaucluse home as it currently stands. Picture: Supplied

The plans for the impressive property. Picture: Supplied artist’s impression

According to council records, it received 10 objections to Ms Wheeldon’s development.

The council did not reveal the identities of the objectors.

According to the council’s determination, Ms Wheeldon was to keep three native trees on the site, including a Blueberry Ash and two Small Leaved Lilly Pillies.

She was given permission to remove five other trees and plants, including a 6m Brush Cherry hedge.

The case had been set to go for a full hearing in the NSW Land and Environment Court.

However, the court battle was avoided on March 6 when the two parties came to an agreement on the final design at a conciliation conference.

As it stands, the property is a relatively modest single-storey brick home with a small garage that was built in 1970.

Ms Wheeldon has been running Airbnb in Australia and New Zealand for just over five years.

Born in Central Queensland, she grew up in the tiny town of Morven, which is about 650km west of Brisbane.

The area is not widely recognised as being a breeding ground for Sydney’s executive elite, but that didn’t stop Ms Wheeldon parlaying a career as a flight attendant to become one of Australia’s most powerful executives, rubbing shoulders with billionaires.

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