A striking time-lapse video shows an entire Sydney suburb mushrooming around a single home whose owners have refused to sell for over a decade
The Zammit family has retained ownership of their 20,000 square metre property on Hambledon Road in The Ponds for over a decade, as residential development has expanded across the surrounding land.
Their decision to remain, despite reportedly receiving substantial financial offers, has made headlines both locally and internationally.
Aerial footage illustrating the dramatic change from 2010 to 2024 was shared by user @dailyoverview on Instagram.
Watch the video below:While media reports suggest the estate could be valued at up to $50 million, the Zammits are said to have turned down multiple offers in the tens of millions, per the Daily Mail.
Comparable sales may provide context: the nearby Sultonesi Estate, which spans 2.5 hectares, sold for $26 million in 2021.
It is understood that a similarly sized parcel of land in Sydney’s northwest recently sold for a comparable price. Developer Bathla, identified in reports as a party interested in acquiring the Zammits' property, has constructed many homes in the area and is currently selling subdivided plots on the former Sultonesi site.
According to News.com.au, their listings include 35 residential lots ranging in size from 250 to 562 square metres on 54 Hambledon Road.
Fred Khurana, a local real estate agent, was skeptical of the widely cited $50 million figure.
“Anyone can say $50 million, $100 million, $200 million,” Khurana said, per Geelong Advertiser. “It’s not $50 million, it’s not $100 million – no way in the world.”
He noted that developers must consider the number of homes that can be built on a site to determine if the investment is viable, especially when compared to market rates in the area.
As of March, the median house price in The Ponds was approximately $1.6 million - an increase from $950,000 five years ago. Khurana noted the area remains popular with families, thanks in part to its location between Blacktown and Rouse Hill.
Jolin Wang, another agent representing a home adjacent to the Zammits’ land, said most plots nearby measure between 250 and 325 square metres.
According to Ms Wang, single-storey homes in the vicinity are selling for as much as $1.2 million, while five-bedroom properties can reach $1.5 million. Asked whether agents are actively engaging the Zammits, she responded: “I don’t think they’re open to it.”
Based on typical lot sizes in the suburb, approximately 50 homes could potentially be constructed on the Zammit property, should it be sold and redeveloped.
Another agent, when questioned on whether the $50 million valuation is accurate, replied: “The answer is who knows... It’s supply and demand, and there’s no supply.”
In a 2022 interview with The Daily Mail, homeowner Diane Zammit reflected on the area’s transformation.
“Every home was unique and there was so much space - but not any more,” she said. “It’s just not the same.”
Today, neighbors say the Zammits, known to be private individuals, are rarely seen or heard from. Some residents near the property's high boundary fence have occasionally observed the family on their expansive lawns.
One local resident, who requested anonymity, said that while she was “of course” envious of the amount of space the family enjoys, she appreciated the quiet surroundings.
“It’s nice and quiet, no disturbances,” she said, adding: “You’ll never get another place like it in Sydney.”