A home renovation project in Bellevue Hill took an unexpected turn when the construction crew uncovered several live, unexploded bombs on the property.
The homeowners, lawyers Rebecca Michelides and Glen Sauer, had hired award-winning architect Hannah Tribe of Tribe Studio Architects to oversee the renovation of their century-old arts and crafts home.
During excavation work to install a required 65,000-litre stormwater tank, the builders discovered what appeared to be a bomb. Authorities were immediately notified, leading to the arrival of NSW Police and Australian Army personnel to assess the situation.
Over the following days, more unexploded bombs, smoke bombs, and mortar rounds were unearthed across the property. In one incident, a disintegrating grenade had to be detonated on-site, requiring a controlled explosion and the evacuation of nearby neighbours.
The source of the arsenal is believed to be a former resident who may have been in the army reserve during World War II and collected the ordnance. Bellevue Hill was previously shelled by Japanese submarines in 1942, leaving a legacy of unexploded shells across the area.
Despite the unsettling discoveries, Tribe says the family’s love for the heritage-listed home’s quirky features inspired a playful design touch – the kitchen island’s legs were fashioned to resemble the unearthed bombs as a tribute to the renovation’s dramatic events.
“We always warn our clients to expect the unexpected during construction,” said Tribe. “No one expected the bombs.”
With the site now cleared by a deep penetration X-ray, the Michelides family can finally move forward with their long-awaited home renovations, albeit with a newfound appreciation for the history buried beneath their property.
Published 11-November-2024