The wife of “Aussie” John Symond, one of Australia’s richest men, is taking legal action over a $4.9 million renovation of a historic mansion in Potts Point, which neighbours have labelled a “gross overdevelopment”.
Amber Symond launched court action against the City of Sydney over a deemed refusal of a development application to turn the former Simpson of Potts Point Hotel on Challis Avenue into a private dwelling after its purchase for $12.5 million in 2020.
Amber Symond’s $4.9 million renovation plans for a historic building in Potts Point have been called a “gross overdevelopment” by neighbours. Credit:
As part of her plans to turn the hotel into a home, Symond’s DA reveals plans for a cinema room, cellar, new conservatory and butler’s kitchen.
A new “tasteful” rear wing would be built, with the renovation increasing the floor area of the 1890s property by more than 200 square metres.
A council spokeswoman declined to comment ahead of a directions hearing scheduled on Friday in the Land and Environment Court, while Symond’s architect Tzannes and urban planner GSA Planning did not respond to The Sun-Herald’s questions.
Planning documents said the proposed alterations and additions, which have since been amended in response to her neighbour’s objections, were “sympathetic to the heritage values of the built form and conservation area”.
Amber Symond and husband John, the founder of Aussie Home Loans.Credit:
But neighbours, many of whom live in studio apartments, oppose the renovation plans, which they say will have an impact on their privacy, solar access, views of the city and the heritage of the area.
The owners’ corporation of 10 Challis Avenue, an Art Deco building consisting of studios and one-bedroom apartments, expressed concern about the narrow space between the properties being used as a “service” access to the butler’s pantry, bathroom and kitchen.
“To have people regularly using this service access has significant effects on 10 Challis Ave residents’ privacy, amenity and of course a major disturbance from noise,” its submission said.
Lawyer Anthony Boskovitz said his clients objected to the DA because of its height, bulk and scale, which would overshadow their living area and balcony.
“Our clients have significant concerns about the impact on the proposed building form on the heritage of the existing dwelling and the appeal of it in the streetscape,” Boskovitz said.
Similar concerns were raised by Geoffrey and Susan Taylor, who said Symond’s renovations involve “a devastating impact on city views from our unit as well as a loss of solar access and privacy for surrounding property, including ours”.
Several residents and the owners’ corporation of 6 Challis Avenue raised concerns about the impact of basement excavations, which they said had not been adequately investigated.
Urban Perspectives principal Stuart Wilmot said the amended plans had not resolved the owners’ corporation’s concerns.
He said the rear addition was “gross overdevelopment”, designed to maximise development of the site and views of the city with no regard to privacy, view loss or the impact of bulk and scale on neighbouring residents.
Neighbours John Simons and Sean Riley said the renovations involved a “significant height increase”, which would lead to “a large, overbearing four story (sic) development”.
They said the renovations would overshadow the common garden area at the rear of their apartment building, adversely affecting plantings, including vegetable gardens, and “reduce the amenity of this area, making it feel exceptionally hemmed in”.
Potts Point Heritage Society president Andrew Woodhouse criticised planning laws which he said favoured developers while denying residents equal rights of appeal.
“My presumptuous advice, for what it’s worth, having dealt with these matters for over 20 years, is for Ms Symonds [sic] to withdraw the risky, adversarial and expensive court action,” he said. “Only lawyers win these gladiatorial battles.”
Symond and husband John, the founder of mortgage broker Aussie Home Loans, knocked back an offer of about $110 million in 2017 for their Point Piper mansion.
Symond was previously married to Patrick Keating, the son of former prime minister Paul Keating, who has also called Potts Point home.
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