After years of planning, legal wrangles, and construction, the ambitious home renovation project of television presenter Karl Stefanovic and his wife, shoe designer Jasmine, is beginning to reveal its dramatic form. The couple are constructing a multi-million pound luxury mansion in the Sydney suburb of Castlecrag, a process that has been closely watched since they won a significant court case to proceed.
From 1960s Brick to Three-Storey Dream Home
Recent photographs from the site in Castlecrag, located roughly 9km north of Sydney's central business district, show a striking transformation. The original 1960s brick house has been completely demolished, making way for a substantial three-storey structure. The builders appear to have pushed the new build further back into the plot, which once featured a spa and gazebo, resulting in a more compact outdoor area for the future residence.
The journey to this point has been lengthy. Karl, 51, and Jasmine, 41, purchased the property back in 2021 for $3.2 million. By July 2024, the family had vacated the home, and demolition was fully underway by December of that year, with the roof and internal walls removed. The current phase indicates construction is progressing, though the property is not yet habitable for the couple and their five-year-old daughter, Harper.
Legal Hurdles and Grand Designs
The path to building their dream home was not straightforward. The couple faced a year-long dispute with the local Willoughby Council over their original development application. The matter escalated to the Land and Environment Court, which, after a two-day hearing in 2023, ruled in the Stefanovics' favour in March 2024, allowing the project to move forward.
Neighbours had raised several objections during the planning process, including concerns about loss of views and potential glare from proposed solar panels. The couple's legal team argued the designs generally complied with council planning laws, though they acknowledged the plans did not fully meet local floor space ratio controls. The original application detailed plans for 102 square metres of living space below ground level.
A Glimpse into the Future Luxury Abode
The scale of the project is impressive. Design sketches for the completed property reveal a contemporary four-level home featuring five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Planned amenities include a pool, spa, an entertainment room, a courtyard, and a three-car garage.
Architectural highlights will comprise French windows, an indoor circular staircase, high ceilings, slanted windows, and a stylish outdoor dining terrace. A sprawling garden is also part of the design, intended as a space for the family. The original house, built in the 1960s, had offered views over Castlecrag's north escarpment and included a self-contained unit.
The total cost of the project is reported to be approximately $4.5 million. The Stefanovics, who married in Mexico in December 2018, divide their time between Sydney and Queensland, where Jasmine's family is based. Karl also has three adult children from his previous marriage.
