Neighbourhood spat over $277 million development that could ‘destroy’ celebrity suburb

A contested 33-acre site in the US is back on the market after a years-long clash between developers and locals. 

It’s one of the last untouched land parcels in Beverly Hills, a sprawling 132,000-square-metre stretch of oak and sycamore trees clinging to the rocky slopes of Benedict Canyon. 

At $US175 million ($AU277 million), it’s one of the most expensive properties for sale right now in America. 

The man behind the sale is Gary Safady, a commercial real estate developer and self-described “serial entrepreneur”. 

Safady reportedly bought the site in 2015 with the intention of building a massive 59-room luxury hotel. 

The Bulgari hotel was slated to be the ‘crown jewel’ of Los Angeles, a lavish getaway on par with the nearby Hotel Bel-Air and Beverly Hills Hotel.

But plans for the hotel ground to a halt as locals hotly contested the development. 

Celebrity residents – including television host Dr Phil and Doors guitarist Robby Krieger – signed letters opposing the project. 

Other residents – among them Orlando Bloom, Mila Kunis and Gene Simmons – expressed support for the proposed Bulgari hotel. 

Proponents of the development claimed it would create jobs and result in 1000 new trees planted. 

Critics claimed it would increase fire risk, endanger wildlife, destroy 500 mature trees and worsen traffic congestion. 

“Just because someone has millions of dollars doesn’t mean they have the right to stampede through the neighbourhood,” local resident Nickie Miner told NBC Los Angeles. 

The project garnered rumours of political corruption, according to The Real Deal. 

“I’m a former land use attorney, and this project does not pass the smell test,” the real estate publication quoted local council member Katy Yaroslavsky as saying. 

In 2023, Safady’s plans were quashed by the city council, who revoked planning approval for the hotel. 

The decision had dire financial consequences for the developer. 

By November 2024, he was grappling with over $US50 million of debt and was in default, Mansion Global reports. 

Now the 33-acre site is back on the market with Adam Rosenfeld from The Agency. It’s being sold as a single-family estate. 

The listing describes it as “an unparalleled opportunity to own 32.67 majestic acres” in a prime Beverly Hills location. 

“This exceptional offering includes two single-family residences […] Perfect for the most discerning buyer seeking privacy, scale, and limitless potential in one of the most coveted locations,” the listing reads. 

The Benedict Canyon site might be expensive, but it’s still cheaper than an empty block next door to Jeff Bezos that is currently on sale for $322 million. 

It’s not the only real estate controversy that the Amazon billionaire – and the world’s second-richest man – has been embroiled in recently. 

In September 2024, a businessman sued a real estate agency after discovering he had sold his Florida property to Bezos for a discount.