Celebrity Developer Faces Charges for Bel-Air Mansion Additions
Developer Mohamed Hadid, known for appearances on Real Housewives and other reality TV shows, has been cited for more than his celebrity status. The LA Department of Building & Safety cited him last week for adding unapproved features to a decadent mega-mansion in Bel-Air.
Hadid's building permits were revoked, and he was ordered to halt construction and demolish the illegal features. Dubbed the “Starship Enterprise,” the 30k SF, multi-level mansion is an example of excessive and potentially unsafe development in affluent Westside neighborhoods. Its features came to the city’s attention when an irate Bel-Air neighbor, who lives below the hilltop mansion, complained that the construction had destabilized the hill’s slope.
Building inspectors found rampant code violations at the project site, among which are a 70-seat, underground IMAX theater and guest suites built below a swimming pool, according to the LA Times.
The city attorney’s office has moved to bring criminal charges against the property owner, 901 Strada LLC, and has added Hadid’s name to the complaint. The misdemeanor charges include illegal use of land, building without a permit and failure to obey orders by the LA Department of Building and Safety. Each charge carries a maximum six-month prison sentence and $1k fine. [LAT]
