PHOTO: THE DAILY MAIL
An elderly man, David, who speaks only Cantonese, has stood resolute against a property developer’s plans to construct a six-storey apartment complex on the site of the other half of his duplex.
David has resided in his fibro three-bedroom home on Park Road, Auburn, in Sydney‘s west, since purchasing it in 2004 for $330,000. The neighboring half of the duplex was destroyed in a fire in 2017, demolished in 2018, and subsequently acquired by AB Developers in 2020.
Despite the developers’ attempts to buy his half of the duplex, David remained steadfast in his refusal to sell. He declined an offer of $600,000, insisting that he would not vacate for less than a million dollars.
The standoff has resulted in the duplex remaining split in half. Meanwhile, work on the adjacent 32-apartment complex has come to a halt indefinitely following a stop work order issued by NSW’s Building Commission on December 21.
An elderly man has taken a defiant stand against a property developer building a six storey apartment complex where the other half of his duplex used to be
An elderly Cantonese man has stifled a developer’s plans for a massive apartment complex after refusing to sell his half of a duplex in Auburn (pictured) leading to many scratching their heads over the odd-looking home
The construction site now sits deserted, with chairs, scaffolding, and fencing exposed to the elements. The commission found that the developers failed to submit crucial fire protection, structural, and architectural documents on time.
David’s modest home now stands in the shadow of the unfinished six-storey building, with the open space that once housed its mirrored half. Despite the developers’ purchase of the adjacent half for $575,000, David stood firm on his demand for $1 million.
The proposed luxury apartment complex remains in limbo, as three months have passed since the stop work order without the developers submitting revised documents.
David stood firm on a $1million offer after being offered $600,000 for his half of the duplex, even after the developers bought the other half for $575,000 despite it being demolished after a house fire (pictured)
David’s unique situation has attracted attention, with passersby snapping photos that have since gone viral. While some commend his resolve, others speculate on the challenges he may face living amidst ongoing construction.
Despite numerous inquiries, David declined to comment when approached by Daily Mail Australia.
The proposed 32-apartment luxury complex (pictured, artist’s impression) is now in limbo after three months have passed since the stop work order without the developers submitting new documents
This narrative mirrors that of ‘Miss Stayput,’ who famously resisted developers in East Melbourne by refusing to sell her five-bedroom home, resulting in a supermarket car park being built around her property. Like Miss Stayput, David stands firm in defense of his home.
SOURCE: THE DAILY MAIL