City Aims to Prosecute Developer for Massive Unpermitted Mansion

The Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety says it will refer the case of an illegally constructed Bel-Air mansion to the Los Angeles City Attorney today.

The move comes one day after celebrity developer Mohamed Hadid lost his bid for more time to bring the mansion into compliance with city building codes, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Contending that Hadid had violated stop-work orders and built lavish features without permits, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety said it planned to refer the case to the city attorney’s office today for possible prosecution, according to the newspaper.

In September, building officials revoked the hilltop project’s permits, effectively shutting down construction, after a resident who lives below contended that grading and other activity had destabilized the slope, The Times reported. In the months that followed, residents complained that work was continuing at the 901 Strada Vecchia site in violation of the stop-work order.

In April, building inspectors found numerous examples of unapproved construction, much of it concealed behind tarps, potted plants, paneled walls and taped-over doors. They told Hadid to demolish and remove all unapproved construction, including concrete decks, guest suites below the swimming pool, retaining walls and a 70-seat, underground Imax theater, The Times reported.

Hadid appealed, saying the building department had abused its discretion with its orders, and he asked for additional time to comply. But at its regular meeting in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday, the Board of Building and Safety Commissioners voted 4 to 0 to deny his request and to support building inspectors’ actions, according to The Times.

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City News Service

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