Seven-year project a gift from heaven
IT’S been seven years since Riccardo Rizzi placed the winning $5.3 million bid on a partly constructed Sovereign Islands estate.
Original owners Scott Tyne and Clare Marks reportedly outlaid $21.44 million on the initial construction and land on Knightsbridge Parade East.
Their dream was to build a modern day 100-year-old chateau, designed by the renowned Brunei Royal Family architect Bayden Goddard.
The sprawling Mediterranean masterpiece was taking shape on the best four blocks facing due north down the Broadwater before the banks moved in.
Photos taken prior to the mortgagee auction in 2013 show weeds had started to take over the concrete structure which was still a long way off resembling a home.
It’s a daunting project for anyone to take over and one which Mr Rizzi has embraced without regret.
“Very few times in life you’re given a gift from heaven to do something and this project was mine,” he said. “It was probably one of the most enjoyable things I’ve ever done in my life. It was a combination of so many different skills that needed to be put together to do it.”
A civil engineer with a background in project management, Mr Rizzi took a methodical approach to pouring through realms of plans and paperwork to get his head around the monstrous task ahead.
His first act was to pay the tradespeople and consultants what they were owed and rehire as many as possible.
Some of those original tradesmen – including a carpenter and a tiler – have worked on the house since building began in 2008.
“I met a lot of good people, some fantastic tradesmen who were a privilege to work with,” said Mr Rizzi who
counts ‘after work beers’ among his fondest memories.
Living in such a grand estate has been an experience in itself for the bachelor who occupies only a small area.
“When I say I live in the house, I live in the kitchen,” he said. “The kitchen is more than 100 sqm which is in fact the size of a three-bedroom apartment, so I’m more than comfortable.”
Profit wasn’t the main driver for Mr Rizzi who hasn’t put a value on the cost of completing the estate, previously listed for $45 million.
Amir Prestige has set an auction down for October 17 as Mr Rizzi makes plans to move closer to his adult children in Perth.
But rather than revel in the success of seeing the project through, he’s quick to
pass credit to those who laid the foundations
“Scott Tyne had an inspiring vision to set this whole project up and no one can take that from him,” he said.
“He should be a very proud man, alongside his wife, as they are talented and gifted people.
“I wish them well and am extremely grateful that this opportunity came about.”