Latest news with #ChristopherShao
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Mikaela Testa's mansion hits the rental market after the TikTok star fled Australia over safety fears
The Queensland mansion OnlyFans star Mikaela Testa once called home is up for rent. Located at Burleigh Waters on the Gold Coast, the property is available to new tenants at a whopping $2,700 per week from July 21. Testa, 25, moved into the four-bedroom, two-bathroom spread in 2023, paying $2,000 per week. The property features a sprawling outdoor 'party zone', and includes a pool, entertainment deck and an al fresco dining space. The resort-style pad, dubbed Ruin X, was originally a four-bedroom, two-bathroom family home before undergoing a complete redesign. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The home, known as the Marble Mansion, features soaring ceilings and curved archways. Other highlights include a formal dining room, a grand chandelier as well as an onyx kitchen island. It last sold for $2,713,888 at auction in 2022 to Melbourne investor Christopher Shao, who then hired the space out for luxury events at $4,000 a day. However, the house was tenanted by Testa at $2,000 a week in 2023 after it returned to the market and failed to sell at a $3million price guide. She moved into the home with her bodybuilder fiancé, Maxwell Krause. Testa took to social media last month to reveal she was moving to Germany 'until further notice'. She told her TikTok followers she was relocating to her apartment in Frankfurt and announced that she had 'no plans' to ever return to Australia. 'I've packed up my entire house, and I'm going in two days, and I don't plan to ever come back,' she said in a video filmed from the kitchen of Ruin X. 'The youth crime in this town where I live is so f***ing bad. I don't want to live here anymore, I don't feel safe here.' 'Every time I move, people find out where I live. My door is made of glass, so people yell things out… sometimes it's really degrading,' she continued. 'I love Australia. I think it's one of the most beautiful countries in the world, but it's just not what it used to be.' Testa, who has been learning German, went on to tell her followers in the comments she has 'no desire' to return home.
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Shock twist in bitter feud between exclusive spa and millionaire entrepreneur
An exclusive Melbourne spa has stood down an employee after management became aware of an 'extremely inappropriate team message'. Saint Haven, a members-only wellness clinic owned by Rich Lister Tim Gurner, announced the news on June 13 after coming under fire from millionaire entrepreneur Christopher Shao. Mr Shao accused a staff member of speaking to his mother in a 'condescending' tone and went public with his complaint to the exclusive spa. He doubled down on claims of racism after alleging his mother was singled out for carrying her phone in a club bathhouse. Saint Haven hit back and said its staff were 'committed to gently upholding' its policy of a technology ban in public spaces. Gurner Group executives Ahmed Fahour and Peter Crinis addressed Mr Shao's complaint in a joint statement to members, seen by The Herald. They stated the no-phone policy helps to protect the privacy of members and 'no wrongdoing has been identified' regarding the incident involving the millionaire's mother. However, the statement continued that 'in the past 24 hours, we have become aware of an extremely inappropriate internal team message sent by a team member'. Saint Haven confirmed the inappropriate message was unrelated to Mr Shao's mother. 'This behaviour is not acceptable and goes against everything we stand for. The team member has been stood down pending a full investigation,' the statement continued. 'We hold our team and members to the same high standards, and we will always act swiftly and fairly in response to any conduct that compromises our values.' Mr Shao had posted several images to his Instagram stories on Thursday night, which he claimed showed messages in a staff group chat. The text exchanged appeared to show one staff member making insulting comments about Indian members, reported. He also claimed that, since news of the feud broke, he had been contacted by members and ex-Saint Haven staff, claiming they had been targeted by the club. He told the publication that he was prepared to take legal action on behalf of the alleged victims, adding many were too scared to come forward. Mr Shao met with Saint Haven executives earlier this month to discuss the complaint. The Rich Lister said he felt that the way his concerns were handled by club management had been 'dismissive' and 'offensive'. Mr Shao claimed the device-free policy is largely ignored and his mother had been singled out. Saint Haven has three locations in Collingwood, South Yarra and Toorak and is opening its first Sydney venue in Bondi in Spring 2026. The ritzy spa is said to have a jaw-dropping waiting list of 15,000 people. Mr Gurner is one of Australia's richest men, with an estimated fortune of $990million. It's understood young property mogul Mr Shao sold his Melbourne penthouse in recent years for close to $15million.
News.com.au
21-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Saint Haven stands down staffer after ‘extremely inappropriate' message
A staffer at an exclusive spa in Melbourne has been stood down after management became aware of an 'extremely inappropriate internal team message'. Saint Haven, a private members wellness club, made the announcement to clients on June 13 as it continues to face criticism from millionaire entrepreneur Christopher Shao. Mr Shao this month publicly accused staff of singling out his mother for carrying her phone in a club bathhouse, and has since doubled down on claims of racism. Saint Haven has said its staff were 'committed to gently upholding' its policy of a ban on taking phone calls or using laptops in public spaces. In a joint statement to members on June 13, Gurner Group executives Ahmed Fahour and Peter Crinis referenced Mr Shao's complaints saying 'this matter involved the application of our strict no-phone policy — a rule in place to protect the privacy and comfort of all members'. 'Based on our initial review, no wrongdoing has been identified on the part of our team.' Their missive continued to state that 'in the past 24 hours, we have become aware of an extremely inappropriate internal team message sent by a team member'. The message sent earlier in the year was 'unrelated' to Mr Shao's complaint, the letter said, and 'does not reflect our values or the expectations we uphold'. 'This behaviour is not acceptable and goes against everything we stand for. The team member has been stood down pending a full investigation.' The executives said Saint Haven and its sister club Saint 'have zero tolerance for racism, or any conduct that undermines the dignity, safety or wellbeing of others'. 'We hold both team members and members to the same high standards, and we take all matters of this nature extremely seriously,' they said. Saint Haven's media representatives declined to make further comment when contacted by Mr Shao had posted a series of images to his Instagram stories on Thursday night, with one purporting to show texts in a staff group chat. That text exchange appeared to show one staff member making insulting comments about Indian members. He also shared images of staff LinkedIn profiles and the costs of Saint Haven memberships – revealing the 'ultimate' package set back members $499 per week. Mr Shao spoke with the Herald Sun last week claiming he had been contacted by ex-staff since making his public complaints. 'Since speaking out a significant number of former Saint Haven staff have contacted me to share their own experiences of the club's toxic internal culture, it's clearly not an isolated issue,' he said. 'They don't necessarily have money to back it up and, you know, these people have lawyers and legal teams. They are too scared to speak up.' Saint Haven is owned by the Gurner Group, headed by Melbourne property mogul and almost-billionaire Tim Gurner. The clubs boast a range of wellness and anti-ageing offerings such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and IV drips, and more common health facilities like gym, meditation, yoga and sauna. Mr Gurner recently announced a Sydney expansion, with a new spa set to crop up in Bondi next year, saying it would be 'an unparalleled sanctuary for those who demand more from life'.
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Melbourne rich lister threatens to take feud with Australia's most exclusive day spa to court over racism claims
Melbourne rich lister Christopher Shao has doubled down on claims that his mother was 'vilified' at an exclusive Melbourne day spa. Earlier this month, Christopher declared war on Saint Haven - the members-only wellness clinic owned by rich lister Tim Gurner. It all began when Christopher went public with a strongly worded complaint against Saint Haven, claiming a staff member spoke to his elderly mother in a 'condescending' tone during her visit to the spa. Speaking to the Herald Sun, Christopher alleged that his mother was also racially targeted for holding her phone at the club. He claims that, since news of the feud broke, he had also been contacted by members and ex Saint Haven staff members, claiming they had been racially profiled and targeted by the exclusive club. He told the publication that he was prepared to take legal action on behalf of the alleged victims, adding many were scared to come forward. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'This isn't just about me - it's about systemic elitist racism imbedded in institutions that pretend to champion wellness and inclusivity but act very differently behind closed doors. All Australians deserve better,' he said. Christopher, who met with Saint Haven executives earlier this month, added that he felt that the way his concerns were handled by club management had been 'dismissive' and 'offensive'. 'Since speaking out a significant number of former Saint Haven staff have contacted me to share their own experiences of the club's toxic internal culture, it's clearly not an isolated issue,' he said. 'They don't necessarily have money to back it up and, you know, these people have lawyers and legal teams. They are too scared to speak up.' He added that his membership to the club, which costs $499 per week, had been suspended while an internal investigation took place. The publication reported that an internal memo to staff and members was sent by Gurner Group CEO Ahmed and Group CEO of Wellness Hotels and Hospitality Peter Crinis, about the matter. The memo said that after an internal review, 'no wrongdoing has been identified on the part of our team.' Speaking to the Herald Sun , Christopher alleged that his mother was also racially targeted for holding her phone at the club and has since been contacted by fellow members and ex-staff members alleging the same It also reiterated Saint Haven's 'zero tolerance' for racism and discrimination. It comes after Christopher claimed that his mother had apparently received a stern talking-to for carrying her phone into the bathhouse area at the private members club. Saint Haven emphasises a device-free environment to better allow its well-heeled clientele to unwind and recharge. But Christopher claims this rule is widely ignored, including by staff, and believes his mother was singled out. 'How ironic that you're enforcing no phones in the bathhouse but your staff is walking around carrying electronics?' he wrote in a furious email to spa management, which he reposted on Instagram. 'A staff [member] is telling my mum off for carrying her phone in the bathhouse and said, "I will let you off this time and don't do it again," in a very condescending way like a school teacher telling off a student.' Christopher described the no-phone policy as a 'joke' given that there are at least five people using phones or wearing earbuds whenever he visits the venue. A clinic staff member responded via email to Shao - which he also shared publicly - and admitted the no-phone rule was an ongoing challenge for management. 'It is common practice for us to issue reminders about phone usage in the bathhouse to maintain a relaxing and respectful atmosphere for all,' they began. 'We strive to maintain a phone-free zone, though it can be an ongoing challenge, and we do our best each day to enforce this policy.' Saint Haven is said to have a jaw-dropping wait list of 15,000 people. The ritzy spa, which has three locations in Collingwood, South Yarra and Toorak and is opening its first Sydney venue in Bondi in Spring 2026, is owned by the controversial property developer Tim Gurner. The exclusive club offers a range of wellness and anti-ageing treatments including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, IV drips and mineral-infused osmosis water from its 'Fountain of Youth'. Jackson Warne, the son of cricketing icon Shane Warne is also an ambassador for the club, revealing the surprising career move in October last year. Tim Gurner is one of Australia's richest men with an estimated fortune of $990million. Little is known about young property mogul Shao; however, it is understood he sold his Melbourne penthouse in recent years for close to $15million.
News.com.au
03-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Aussie millionaire's swipe at exclusive members club Saint Haven
A Melbourne millionaire has hit out at one of the country's most exclusive wellness clinics, claiming staff had unfairly targeted his mother. Christopher Shao took to social media this week to claim his mum was told off for holding her phone at private members club Saint Haven. Saint Haven – which has venues in Collingwood, Toorak and South Yarra – is an up-market spa that bills itself as 'a place to disconnect, recharge, surrender and share experiences with others'. Mr Shao, who keeps a relatively low profile, called out the club by sharing correspondence with staff to his thousands of followers on Monday. 'How ironic that you're enforcing no phones in the bathhouse but your staff is walking around carrying electronics?' he wrote to spa management in an email published to his Instagram stories. 'A staff (member) is telling my mum off for carrying her phone in the bathhouse and said, 'I will let you off this time and don't do it again,' in a very condescending way like a school teacher telling off a student.' Staff responded in an email, saying it was 'common practice' for workers to remind members about phone use 'to maintain a relaxing and respectful atmosphere for all'. 'We strive to maintain a phone-free zone, though it can be an ongoing challenge, and we do our best each day to enforce this policy.' detailing luxury property purchases or his expensive taste in cars. Saint Haven is owned by the Gurner Group, headed by Melbourne property mogul and almost-billionaire Tim Gurner. The clubs boast a range of wellness and anti-ageing offerings such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and IV drips, and more common health facilities like gym, meditation, yoga and sauna. In a statement, Gurner Wellness Group chief executive of Wellness, Hotels and Hospitality Peter Crinis said Saint Haven members were asked to 'refrain from taking phone calls or using laptops in our wellness spaces'. 'These spaces are intentionally designed to be sanctuaries, offering a rare opportunity to truly disconnect, unwind, and surrender from the outside world,' he said. 'We understand the importance of staying connected, which is why we've created dedicated areas throughout the club for device use, including our co-working spaces, Members' Lounge, boardroom, and private phone booths. These spaces are purpose-built for focused work and uninterrupted calls. 'Our team is committed to gently upholding this policy to ensure that all members can enjoy the calm, restorative atmosphere that makes Saint Haven so unique and ensuring our members' privacy is always our first priority.' Mr Gurner recently announced a Sydney expansion, with a new spa set to crop up in Bondi next year, saying it would be 'an unparalleled sanctuary for those who demand more from life'. 'Since launching our first Saint Haven in 2023, we've had thousands of Sydney-based individuals join the waitlist, eager to experience something that doesn't yet exist in their city,' he told The Australian last week. 'Bondi is a global icon of health and wellness – and Saint Haven will take that to another level. This will be unlike anything Sydney has ever seen.' Mr Gurner recently told the Australian Financial Review he also planned to open an arm in the Gold Coast before going international. 'We'll be in the US by the end of the year and the UAE, so Dubai,' he said. Saint Haven is believed to have a waiting list of 15,000 people.
