Published: 11:41 BST, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 11:41 BST, 10 August 2026
Has there been a legal case that better sums up 'first-world problems'?
An opulent pink mansion in Sydney's east has become the battleground in a bitter legal war over a handful of missing trees and a priceless view of the Harbour Bridge.
Known as Villa Biscaya, the Spanish-style palace in Rose Bay has been featured in glossy magazine spreads and used as a backdrop for reality TV shows, including Married At First Sight and The Bachelor.
But behind its gaudy façade lies a bitter dispute involving a multi-million-dollar property deal, a chainsaw, cash payments, secret tree-cutting and a series of damning WhatsApp messages about making sure there was 'no evidence' left behind.
It began in 2023 when options trader and art collector David Waterhouse, an estranged member of Australia's famous Waterhouse bookmaking and horse racing dynasty, sold Villa Biscaya, on tightly-held blue-ribbon Tivoli Avenue, to investment banker Michael Rothner for $25.75million.
The four-bedroom, four-bathroom property sits on about 1,119 square metres and boasts three car spaces, a pool, poolside cabana and sweeping panoramic views across Rose Bay towards the Harbour Bridge.
Under the agreement, Mr Rothner was granted access to live at the property ahead of settlement, with exclusive occupation from January 2024 while he carried out renovations.
But after moving in, the relationship between the two wealthy men spectacularly deteriorated.
Investment banker Michael Rothner and his ex-wife Lisa (pictured together) were embroiled in a bitter dispute involving a multi-million-dollar property deal
David Waterhouse (pictured) is the estranged brother of bookmaker Rob Waterhouse, uncle to Tom and Kate Waterhouse, and brother-in-law to horse trainer Gai Waterhouse
And at the heart of the dispute was something quintessentially Sydney: the view.
Trees on the neighbouring property sat directly in the line of sight from Villa Biscaya towards the Harbour Bridge.
Within months, a number of those trees and plants were mysteriously removed.
Mr Waterhouse launched proceedings accusing Mr Rothner's former wife, Lisa Rothner, of being involved in their removal.