Neighbors of a megamansion being built by Jennifer Hawkins say it is too large and out of character with its surroundings, calling the structure “the Taj Mahal of Whale Beach.”
Hawkins and her husband Jake Wall began work on the $30 million Westfield-style complex in December 2022 after receiving approval from Sydney’s Northern Beaches Council for a $3.3 million build.
After almost two years, the project is still not completed and locals claim ongoing work costs would have far exceeded the energy pair’s original planning submissions.
One upset resident told Daily Mail Australia he was fed up with the ongoing construction, describing it as “the biggest thing on the whole peninsula right now”.
“It’s so big,” they said. ‘It’s out of place with Whale Beach, it’s too big and unnecessary. Now I have anxiety.’
The resident added they were concerned Northern Beaches Council was not receiving adequate rates and taxes for the project, which they believed would now far exceed the $3.3 million budgeted.
‘I would say the costs now would be a minimum of $10 million. “I think the city council is losing all this money because they are not controlling the project,” they said.
They added that there were also serious concerns among locals about how the proposed $30 million home would fit in with the other properties in the neighborhood, which had an average value of around $10 million.
Jennifer Hawkins and her husband Jake Wall’s development of their $30 million Westfield-style mega-mansion on Sydney’s northern beaches has reportedly exceeded its approved budget, and local residents are not happy. Both in the photo
‘I want the council to assess the building properly and charge the appropriate rates. “We, as taxpayers, are missing out on a lot.”
Northern Beaches Council told Daily Mail Australia in a statement that while the original grant costs were exceeded, there was no legal precedent for charging additional fees.
“At the time of submission of the development application in 2020, Council considered the cost estimate report prepared by a licensed builder and did not find any irregularities in the cost estimate,” they said.
“The cost of construction has increased substantially since 2020. However, there is no legislative basis for charging additional fees on development applications where construction costs have increased.”
Daily Mail Australia has also contacted Jennifer Hawkins for comment.
Last year, Whale Beach locals were reported to be furious with the ongoing development as the “constant flow of trucks” continued to block the narrow street and car park for “hours on end”.
The power couple broke ground on the luxury property in December 2022 after receiving approval from Northern Beaches Council for $3.3 million worth of construction work. Pictured: A digital mock-up of the finished property.
However, almost two years later, the project is still not complete and angry locals have claimed that ongoing work costs would have far exceeded the original grant. In the photo: Aerial view of the work.
One upset local exclusively told Daily Mail Australia they were fed up with the ongoing project, which they had dubbed “the Taj Mahal of Whale Beach”. In the photo: the construction site in front of the beach.
According to the Sydney Morning HeraldResidents of surrounding homes were staggering and one neighbor had his path blocked “on several occasions” for hours.
Meanwhile, another local claimed his front garden had been damaged by concrete mixers.
On top of that, the noise coming from the renovations had been a constant disturbance in what was once the quietest corner of the quiet suburb.
Hawkins, 40 years oldand her husband Wall, 41, have no intention of living in the property and have reportedly already sold it to a high-profile businessman.
Aerial images obtained by Daily Mail Australia last month show a construction site set up on a huge plot of land, which is four times the size of neighboring mansions.
The original 1950s home was demolished to make way for a modern multi-level mansion that will include a basketball court, swimming pool and large garage.
The high-end property will also have an internal elevator connecting all three floors, as well as five bedrooms, multiple living spaces and a large kitchen.
The property will have stunning sea views and will be located on top of a stunning cliff close to local amenities.
A newly laid earth foundation currently covers the construction site, which occupies a double block and sits on a hill overlooking the beach.
The resident added they were concerned the Northern Beaches Council was not receiving adequate rates and taxes for the project, which they said was now well over the $3.3 million budgeted.
In the photo: the work in May 2024
The original 1950s home was demolished to make way for a modern multi-level mansion that will include a basketball court, swimming pool and large garage. Photographed in May
