Satellite footage shows incredible transformation around house that owners refused to sell for £25 million
A determined Australian family once reportedly rejected an eight-figure offer from local developers to buy their sprawling home in north-west Sydney.
For almost two decades, the Zammits have inhabited their breathtaking 20,000 sqm property in Quakers Hill, Sydney.
Stretching five acres, the plot features a Windsor Castle-style 200m-long driveway, rich lawns, and an inhabited building that’s thought to have more than five bedrooms.
A makeshift basketball court, and a large car garage also feature on the lot, as per the Daily Mail.
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And to put it plainly: it’s a spectacle.
But what makes the property even more unique is the fact that the land slices through a modern development, boasting detached homes situated in cul-de-sacs.
These buildings can be seen bunched up against and around the Zammits’ perimeter.
However, according to satellite footage, it appears the Zammits didn’t always live slap-bang in the middle of a housing estate.
In fact, at one point, the sprawling property was surrounded by fields, the odd red brick home, and little cottages.
“Every home was unique, and there was so much space - but not any more. It's just not the same,” Diane Zammit told the Daily Mail.
The aerial footage documenting the land’s development are simply breathtaking, check it out below:
Understandably, a local business that was developing The Ponds area wanted to build on the luscious land.
And while the Zammits’ neighbours were happy to take a cheque and move out, the notoriously private family stayed put.
According to a report, the family rejected an offer of AUD $50 million (£25 million) for their plot of land.
It’s understood so much was offered because up to 50 homes could be placed on the plot and sold for $1 million each, as per 7 News.
Last year, a property expert revealed how much they think the Zammit family’s sprawling land is worth now.
He told the Daily Mail: “The land is probably worth around $60 million if it was developed now.
“Even if someone paid them $40 million for it, the developer stands to make at least $20 million.
“And given the way Sydney home prices continue to soar, even a price tag of $60 million would return the developer a substantial profit by the time the homes were finally approved, constructed and sold.
“They must really love that home to ignore that kind of money.”
Daily Mail Australia reports that a spokesperson for the local council said there were no designs or intentions on the family home.
The spokesperson for Blacktown City Council said the body 'has no plans to acquire the property and has not had any negotiations to acquire the property'.
"The property rate applied to this property is the same as all surrounding residential properties," they said.
Previously, neighbours have praised the Zammits for rejecting the sale.
“I'm very happy they've refused to sell - it means we have a cul-de-sac which is much safer for our kids - and their big lawn next to us makes it feel like we've got so much space,” said one resident.
A second said: “The fact that most people sold out years and years ago, these guys have held on. All credit to them.”
Interestingly, the Zammits actually thought about selling up and moving on before the developers came knocking.
The sprawling mansion was previously up for sale in 2015, when it was valued at around AUD $858,000 (£423,587) to AUD $945,000 (£466,538), house records on RP Data show.
Daily Mail Australia also report that the home only stayed on the market for seven days.
It also went up for sale again the following year for the same price.
But after developers showed an interest in wanting to buy their house and its land to rebuild on the plot, the Zammit home hasn't been on the market again.
Ella Scott