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It's a scary world out there what with the economy crumbling to pieces, corporate CEOs under fire, and popular resentment against Wall Street rising by the day. What do you do if, say, you're one of the few people who is actually making a fortune right now? Build up the walls around you, naturally! Billionaire hedge fund manager John Paulson filed an application with the Southampton Board of Historic Preservation and Architectural Review to "beef up" the landscaping outside the 10.4-acre estate, the one he and his wife Jenny purchased for $41.3 million in 2008.

At a hearing on Monday night, Paulson's landscape architect showed off the work he had in mind, which mainly involves adding extra hedges along the approach to the house. It looks like you still have a little time to do a drive-by and admire Paulson's 15,000-square-foot mansion and two guest houses. The case was adjourned, and the board said it planned to provide Paulson with a written decision in the next few weeks.

Summary, February 9, 2009 Public Hearing [SVR]
All John Paulson coverage [Cityfile]