A developer of luxury homes is expected to go on trial this week over the construction of a 30,000-square-foot mansion in Bel-Air where city officials demanded a halt in construction as long as three years ago.
The structure on Strada Vecchia Road was bigger and taller than allowed and included elements that the city says it never approved — bedrooms, decks and an IMAX theater, the Los Angeles Times reported.
City officials have yanked building permits, and luxury developer Mohamed Hadid was slapped with criminal charges.
Hadid may go on trial as early as this week after more than a year of legal wrangling. But the fate of the mega-mansion is unclear, according to The Times.
Los Angeles has imposed stricter rules for building in Bel-Air since Hadid started construction, which could complicate efforts to legalize the home. Under those rules, houses bigger than 17,500 square feet must undergo a more rigorous review that requires environmental studies and can include a public hearing.
Hadid and other defendants tied to the project face three misdemeanor charges, each punishable with up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $1,000, according to Rob Wilcox, a spokesman for City Attorney Mike Feuer.
Critics want the bulk of the structure torn down, arguing that if it is allowed to remain it will send a troubling message to wealthy developers willing to break the rules.
Hadid has scoffed at the idea of tearing down the mansion, reportedly calling it “insane.”
“Demolish this house? Never!” he was quoted in Town and Country Magazine as saying. “This house will last forever. Bel-Air will fall before this will.”
—City News Service