Owner of burnt mansion tight-lipped about plans as builders spotted next door

The owner of a $24 million waterfront mansion destroyed by fire a fortnight ago is keeping quiet on his plans for the harbourfront site, as police continue to hunt the arsonist.

The owner of a $24 million mansion firebombed a fortnight ago remains tight-lipped on his plans for the harbourfront site, as police continue to hunt the arsonist.

Fund manager Ouyang ‘Owen’ Chen watched on as tradesmen and surveyors worked at the property next door in Northwood on Wednesday, delivering timber and building materials.

Mr Chen owns that property and the one next door where a heritage listed sandstone manor stood until it was destroyed in a blaze on September 3.

Owen Chen outside his home on Upper Cliff Rd Northwood. Picture: John Grainger

Mr Chen’s home is next door to his $24 mansion which burnt down a fortnight ago. Picture: John Grainger

NSW Police arson squad detectives are looking for a person captured on CCTV entering the Cliff Rd property just before midnight, then running from it as the house exploded in flames.

Police confirmed an accelerant was used to start the fire.

Fund manager and homeowner Ouyang ‘Owen’ Chen. Picture: John Grainger

The home where the building activity took place this week has been the subject of multiple development applications before Lane Cove Council which have been knocked back, but a revised plan is set to be decided on next week..

Mr Chen applied to knock down the existing house and build a $5 million concrete and glass structure along with a swimming pool to “accommodate his family”.

Surveyors at the first Cliff Rd property, where multiple council development applications have been knocked back. Picture: John Grainger

But the initial Development Application was knocked back, largely because of its impact on the heritage listed home next door.

Mr Chen submitted a revised design in July, which will be determined on September 20.

Council said the application will not change now that the heritage home next door has been burnt down, and it will be assessed as if the fire never happened.

The heritage home was completely destroyed

in the fierce inferno. Pictures: Richard Dobson, OnScene

“The development application and subsequent review (on September 20) have been assessed having regard to the heritage item,” a spokesman for Lane Cove council said.

Police said Mr Chen was assisting with their investigation, and there was no suggestion he had anything to do with the fire.

Mr Chen purchased the historic home late last year for $24 million, but was not living in it yet.