During his rugby league career Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello was one of the fastest players on the field.
But that speed has not been replicated when it comes to his renovation dreams now that he’s in football retirement.
Minichiello and his wife Terry Biviano bought a rundown mansion in the heart of Vaucluse more than a decade ago, kicking it down with plans to build a three-storey modern replacement.
Fast forward to today and the reno still isn’t completed, much to the frustrations of neighbours who have complained about the ‘eyesore’ on a regular basis, as reported by Daily Mail Australia.
Given Minichiello’s competitive sports background perhaps a new renovation which has commenced right next door will be the spark the couple needs to ‘win the race to finish first’ as one neighbour nearby told Inside Mail.
The property next door is adding an extra storey, and the frame for it has gone up lightning quick.
Anthony Minichiello and Terry Biviano bought a rundown mansion in the heart of Vaucluse more than a decade ago
But work on the home (pictured in November, 2024) still isn’t completed, much to the frustrations of neighbours who have complained about the ‘eyesore’ on a regular basis
Given his pedigree as a player we’d ordinarily back Minichiello in this showdown, but ten years is a long time not to finish a residential build.
Minichiello and Biviano had initially hoped to move into the Hopetoun Avenue property, which they bought for $3.1million in 2014, within two years.
But development application delays and changed plans – a renovation turned into a knockdown and rebuild – dragged out the construction process, and then Covid hit.
Unexpected costs, labour shortages and supply chain problems caused by the pandemic contributed to more construction delays.
Then neighbours filed objections to their plans over loss of harbour views, dashing the NRL power couple’s hopes of having the home completed by Easter 2023.
With what’s left to do – work on the interiors has barely started – we reckon the renovators who have lived next door to a construction site for the last decade will be able to enjoy canapés and champagne on their completed new second storey balcony before their new(ish) neighbours even move in.
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