Neighbours oppose plans for Andy Lee to renovate heritage home

Andy Lee and girlfriend Rebecca Harding have big plans for the derelict home they bought for $8.5 million. But not everyone is happy.

Several neighbours of popular comedian Andy Lee are enraged at his plans to turn his heritage listed house into a plush dream home.

News.com.au previously reported Mr Lee and his girlfriend Rebecca Harding had bought a run-down house in the suburb of Hawthorn in Melbourne in 2021.

It was derelict, no kitchen or bathroom, but despite that, they forked out a staggering $8.5 million.

A development application submitted to the local council in April revealed the pair’s plans to turn it into a luxurious mansion, complete with a golf simulator, a pool, a tunnel between two buildings, a theatre, a gym, a cellar and a “waiting room” for guests.

The renovation is expected to cost in the ballpark of $5 million.

But the Hamish and Andy star has reportedly angered locals with his grand plans.

The Herald Sun reported that several neighbours had gone so far as to lodge formal complaints with local council.

Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding Picture: Instagram

Andy Lee’s girlfriend Rebecca Harding at the site.

Locals took issue with the landscaping and heritage aspects of the celebrity couple’s reno plans, according to the publication.

They want the plans scrapped entirely.

If that can’t be done, they suggested significant amendments as the plans currently stand.

The plans are still up in the air and subject to council approval.

The heritage listed site sits by the Yarra River and among other things, the renovation will involve constructing a second building on the land.

The Hawthorn property is now owned by Comedian Andy Lee.

The property is derelict but by the Yarra River.

The couple bought the home in 2021. Picture: Mark Stewart

The historic home was vacant for 10 years prior to Mr Lee’s purchase.

The vacancy resulted in damaged walls, floors and ceiling and with no power or plumbing, however it can’t be knocked down due to its heritage status.

The Hawthorn mansion last sold for $1.18m in 1995, according to CoreLogic data, meaning the previous owners made a whopping profit of over $7 million over the 2021 sale.

The median house price for a Hawthorn house sits $2.3 million, according to realestate.com.au. At the time of Mr Lee’s purchase, it was slightly higher, at $2.5 million.

The house’s location is along a row of other properties that also sold for millions.