Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding have come under fire for the ambitious renovation of their $5 million mansion.
The comedian, 42, and his fiancée, 34, are currently restoring a 150-year-old abandoned riverside mansion in Hawthorn, Melbourne.
While the couple enjoys winter in New York, anyone near the construction site has to endure “horrible” noise.
A neighbor told the Sydney Morning Herald CBD column that the cacophony of construction had caused the couple to lose “a lot of community goodwill.”
“The noise is just awful,” the disgruntled neighbor told the publication.
“Some residents just leave, go away for a week and come back for the weekend.”
Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding (both pictured) have come under fire for the ambitious renovation of their $5 million mansion.
As the couple enjoy winter in New York (pictured), anyone near the construction has to endure “horrible” noise.
The publication also reported that residents are angry about construction noise that has continued for 26 weeks.
The noise is due to the reinforced steel pillars and it was also reported that dust from the “constant” breaking of rocks had covered the solar panels of nearby houses.
However, a developer there told the newspaper that residents will be able to alleviate the noise in the very near future.
“We’re almost done with the noise,” the builder said.
“That’s everyone’s Christmas gift.”
Andy and Rebecca have ambitious plans for their Italianate mansion, Ravenswood.
The renovation, which began last year, is estimated to cost $5 million.
The comedian has been hard at work on the abandoned Melbourne mansion he bought in 2021 in a Block-style rebuild.
“The noise is just horrible,” said the disgruntled neighbor.
The noise is due to the reinforced steel pillars and it was also reported that dust from the “constant” breaking of rocks had covered the solar panels of nearby houses.
Andy and Rebecca gained council approval for their development application in June last year.
Plans for the site include adding a second building that will be connected by a tunnel to the original Italian mansion, which was built around 1876.
Other highlights planned for the 1,950-square-meter building include a home theater, a gym, a swimming pool and a “mega bedroom.”
In a statement to the Herald Sun, Boroondara Council confirmed it had issued a decision notice to grant planning permission for the Yarra Grove address.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Andy Lee for comment.
While construction continues, Andy and Rebecca enjoy a winter in New York.
It’s a working holiday of sorts for the couple, with Andy opening an Australian-themed pub in the heart of the Big Apple.
The pub, called Old Mates, is a joint project between Andy, former AFL star Nick Stone, and Eddy Buckhigham, an Australian expat who runs Manhattan restaurant Chinese Tuxedo.
Andy and Rebecca are currently enjoying a winter in New York. It’s a working holiday of sorts for the couple, with Andy opening an Australian-themed pub in the heart of the Big Apple.
The pub, called Old Mates, is a joint project between Andy, former AFL star Nick Stone, and Eddy Buckhigham, an Australian expat who runs the Chinese Tuxedo restaurant in Manhattan.
On Instagram this week, Andy announced the project and shared a series of photos of the soon-to-open location.
“Super EXCITED about this,” he captioned the photos.
“After the last Australian bar in Manhattan closed during COVID, some friends and I thought it was important to build a new place.”
He continued: “Australians in New York need a place to drink a cold Aussie beer, watch the AFL and NRL finals, cheer on the Matildas and watch The Ashes.”
Andy also joked that bringing the bar to life had been a one-person job.
“It took me three years to personally build this pub with my own hands, like Noah from The Notebook,” he said.
“If you don’t believe me, look at the last picture where I’m clearly holding a drill.”
He concluded the post by revealing that Old Mates would be open just in time for Australia Day on January 24.
Andy also shared a photo showing him looking very pleased as he sat next to an equally happy Rebecca as they traveled on the subway.
The couple was dressed for the winter weather and the comedian captioned the photo with a simple: “Back in New York.”
Andy and Rebecca announced their engagement in August after 10 years together
Andy and Rebecca announced their engagement in August after 10 years together