Ash Samadi faces Waverley Council fine after Stop Work Order

Renovations to the gilded home of Iranian-born racing car driver Ash Samadi have divided the neighbourhood amid complaints about his “Tamarama Taj”.

Renovations to the gilded home of Iranian-born racing car driver Ash Samadi are driving his neighbours round the bend amid complaints the 12m tall “Tamarama Taj” has become a glistening detraction from the waterfront views on Sydney’s shoreline.

The Tehran-born racer and property developer is facing legal action from Waverley Council after ignoring a stop work order to cease unauthorised works and barring planners from inspecting the $20m marble and brass columned mansion.

Mr Samadi – who earned the nickname Flash Ash – believes the sparkly four-storey development adds value to the millionaires row.

The four storey home belonging to racing car driver Ash Samadi. Picture: Richard Dobson

Iranian-born racing car driver Ash Samadi has put his heart and soul into developing the family home in Sydney’s Tamarama. Picture Facebook

And while some in the neighbourhood agree, others have found its garish facade offensive and hurled eggs at workmen who have toiled on the house since the businessman bought it for $7.5m four years ago.

“It’s crass, you can’t just sit on the veranda and look out at the ocean without getting distracted by all that marble and brushed gold, or is it brass?” neighbour Ashley Street said.

“One resident got so frustrated, he threw raw eggs at the house over the backyard, he hates it. He says it’s ruined his view of the coastline.”

Resident Jean McDonald said while the house did not keep with the street’s characteristic two and three-storey 8.5m high dwellings, it was a “spectacular” feature.

“People call it the Tamarama Taj because it’s so grand, it’s spectacular, it enhances the street,” she said.

“When we moved into the area 38 years ago, residents complained about our renovations – it’s just jealousy.”

The gold and marbled home stands out along the Sydney Eastern Suburbs coastline. Picture: Richard Dobson

Racing car driver Ash Samadi has been developing the home for more than three years. Picture: Richard Dobson

Neighbour Sally Watson said the house was more characteristic of the ostentatious homes that fringe Sydney Harbour.

“Houses here are more Hamptons style, made of timber and painted fresh coastal colours – not brassy and shiny like the opulent ones on the harbour,” she said.

“I complained to the council two years ago that the cement trucks were blocking my garage, I couldn’t get to my car and had to pay taxis to pick up my son from school.”

Land and Environment Court documents say permission for safety works to the roof was not sought and Mr Samadi’s builders had erected temporary timber rafters needed to install a tarpaulin to construct the roof.

The council issued a stop work order and two access notices but inspectors were unable to gain access.

Mr Samadi said he had a “team of talented designers” building the home.

Editor’s Note: The original version of this story referred to a company called GSA Planning. It erroneously referred to this company as a building development company. Further GSA Planning currently has nothing to do with the project and it is not involved in the dispute with council.

Originally published as Ash Samadi faces Waverley Council fine after Stop Work Order