After six years of neglect, an oceanfront mansion on Palm Beach’s North End is finally set for repairs.
Neighbors and representatives of the owner of 100 Casa Bendita have agreed on a plan to renovate the much-needed property.
The construction management agreement is a significant step in mending the relationship between the homeowner—a company controlled by former Russian banker Vladimir Stolyarenko—and neighbors frustrated by the dilapidated mansion, which was supposed to be renovated by now.
“There was a lot of back and forth, and I think there was a certain amount of skepticism, if not mistrust among the parties, but everyone was willing to work together because this job had to be done,” Council Member Lew Crampton told the Palm Beach Daily News on Tuesday about the negotiations he helped mediate.
Property records indicate that Stolyarenko is behind the limited liability company that purchased the property in 2018 for $35 million from fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and his wife, Dee OcLeppo. Villa Bendita LLC, registered in Delaware, is the owner, with Stolyarenko signing a 2018 mortgage showing he managed the company.
The Town Council got involved in May when representatives of the property owner requested a 30-month extension to the project’s original three-year building permit issued in 2021.
At a May 15 council hearing, officials chose to hear from the neighbors first, citing numerous letters from Casa Bonita cul-de-sac residents complaining about the mansion’s state. Michelle Kessler, who lives with her husband Howard, a financial services specialist, in a prominent oceanfront compound south of the house, was among those who wrote letters.
Maura Ziska, the attorney for the frustrated neighbors, argued that any extension should include conditions for oversight and regular updates. Bill and Christine Aylward were also represented by Ziska.
During her remarks, Ziska showed images of the mansion’s poor condition, highlighting a broken shingled roof, rotted doors, overgrown foliage, and backed-up drainage causing flooding.
Some officials questioned why code-enforcement officers hadn’t cited the owner, but Council Member Bridget Moran noted that most issues weren’t visible from the street, and officers can’t enter private property without permission.
Ziska insisted the situation couldn’t continue. “This job has barely begun and they’re asking for another two years,” she said.
Conflict within the Construction Team
The town issued its first building permit in April 2021. The owner’s attorney, Genny Contreras, explained that the mansion’s state resulted from internal conflicts within the construction team. The interior architect and designer had clashed, leading to missed deadlines and departures. By the end of 2023, replacements were found, and by April, Willoughby Construction was hired as the general contractor.
Brian Willoughby, co-founder of Willoughby Construction, told the May meeting that since joining the project on April 5, his team had addressed some concerns, including trimming overgrown foliage and holding meetings with neighbors.
Council Member Julie Araskog expressed shock at the project’s state and insisted on increased oversight if the permit was extended.
Crampton believed an agreement could be reached due to Willoughby’s willingness to compromise, but Contreras argued that neighbors kept adding new conditions. Ziska proposed a construction management agreement, which Willoughby supported if it allowed his crew to start work.
The council unanimously approved the 30-month extension with the condition that a construction management agreement be created, mediated by town staff and Crampton.
Crampton said the agreement, drafted with input from both parties, included key conditions sought by neighbors, such as traffic control, work hours, delivery logistics, and a construction timeline with milestones. It also required the owner to set up a financial account for contractors and tasked Willoughby with providing biweekly reports to neighbors and Crampton.
Since the agreement’s signing, Crampton has received updates on the project’s status. He credited the attorneys and Christine Aylward, who acted as a spokesperson for the concerned neighbors. Crampton informed the council at its June 12 meeting that the agreement had been signed.