Sylvester Stallone sparks fury with neighbours over plans for $54m mansion
Sylvester Stallone has reportedly sparked outrage from his neighbours over his plans for his $54 million mansion.
Sylvester Stallone has reportedly sparked outrage from his Palm Beach, Florida, neighbours over his plans to build an underwater barrier next to his $US35 million ($A54 million) mansion, in an apparent bid to keep boaters away from his home.
The Palm Beach Post reports the “Rocky” star submitted plans for the very unique amenity to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The 78-year-old actor initially billed the Intercoastal Waterway barrier as a means of keeping “seaweed and debris” away from his property.
However the U.S. Army Corps issued a public notice that noted the barrier’s primary “purpose” is actually to “exclude boaters” from venturing near Stallone’s home, with seaweed and debris listed as a secondary issue.
Stallone’s plans also include an application to lease land from the state, on which at least part of the barrier will be built.
The “Rambo” star’s desire to take ownership of at least a portion of the ocean has left his neighbours furious.
Neighbour Bradford Gary told The Palm Beach Post that he does not believe the Golden Globe winner should be allowed to simply “stake his claim” to public land.
“He bought a beautiful property, one of the nicest West Indies houses,” Gary told the outlet.
“I can see why you’d want to protect it. But you can’t just kind of stake your claim and think you own the water.”
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According to records, the barrier — which is being described as an environmental project — would rise around 8 inches (20.32 cm) above the water and extend 10 inches (25.4 cm) below it and would be held in place by nylon ropes, allowing marine life to swim underneath and around it.
The L-shaped barrier will begin at a dock that sits on Stallone’s property and extend out for 191 feet (58.22 metres), before turning back toward his private beach frontage.
According to The Palm Beach Post, Stallone’s plans for the underwater barrier have been in motion since 2022, when the state Department of Environmental Protection came to his home for a site visit. He officially submitted his application for the build in January 2023.
As part of the application process, public notices were sent to others living in Stallone’s neighbourhood requesting that they submit any comments about the project by 5pm on Christmas Day.
The arrival of the notice is said to have “blindsided” his neighbours, with Mr Gary noting that in the majority of cases, when a local wants to complete some kind of renovation or construction work, they will personally notify those who live nearest to them.
“Usually when your neighbours are gonna do something, we’ve found in Palm Beach, usually they call,” he said. “A lot of neighbours are concerned.”
Plans for the barrier are currently being reviewed by the U.S. Army Corps, with a spokesperson telling The Palm Beach Post: “The Corps is reviewing the project purpose to determine if the use of barrier for the purpose of deterring boaters within the public waterway is permittable.”
The spokesperson noted that the U.S. Army Corps has requested more information about the project from Stallone and his team, who did not respond to requests for comment.
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According to Realtor, Stallone purchased the waterfront mansion back in December 2020 via a trust for $US35,375,000 for — a discount from the original listing price of $US37,850,000.
Described in its original listing as a “sensational estate compound,” the sprawling property boasts seven bedrooms and 10.5 bathrooms, as well as a large guesthouse and cabana that sit separately to the main residence.
In addition, the layout includes a gym, wine storage, library, and a family room with a wet bar. Outside, the grounds feature a pool with a beachfront spa that practically touches the lake.
But perhaps the most alluring aspect of the property is its 250 feet (76.2 metres) of private beach, which Stallone is now attempting to make all the more secure with the addition of the barrier.
Stallone currently lives in the home with his wife, Jennifer Flavin, who he wed in 1997.
Prior to his purchase of the property, the actor had been living in a home in La Quinta, California, which he placed on the market the same year he snapped up his Palm Beach residence.
Stallone bought the four-bedroom abode, located inside the Madison Club, for $US4.5 million in 2010; however, he ultimately wound up selling the golf retreat at a loss, for $US3.15 million.
Parts of this story first appeared in Realtor and were republished with permission.
Originally published as Sylvester Stallone sparks fury with neighbours over plans for $54m mansion
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