Andy Lee and his partner Rebecca Harding have been given the green light for a $5million refurbishment of their 1876 Italian mansion – and their new neighbors couldn’t be happier.
The 42-year-old radio host and the 32-year-old model invested $8.5 million in the abandoned Hawthorn estate in 2021 and have big plans to build a second home on the property.
Lee and Harding intend to connect the historic house to a modern building via a tunnel and despite previous reports of unrest in the neighborhood, local residents told Chron Australia they can’t wait to see the results.
Neighbors living down the street are tired of looking at the current state of the house, which they describe as a “dump” and “disgusting”.
“I think it’s fantastic that they aren’t tearing down the listed house.” As a private home, I think it’s fantastic compared to what they could do,” said a neighbor.
Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding have been given the green light for a $5million redevelopment of their 1876 Italian mansion — and their new neighbors couldn’t be happier
“Definitely an eyesore, but worse, it’s just an absolute tragedy to treat a historic home like this and leave it to be demolished through neglect.”
The neighbor then lashed out at the previous owners, who left the property in a terrible state for over a decade after their own renovations halted for unknown reasons.
“I hope that the council takes respect for this very old building seriously,” she added.
Another couple agreed, saying: “Right now it looks so gross I’d love to see it.” [renovated]. Anything would be better.’
The popular radio host, 42, and the model, 32, invested $8.5 million in the abandoned Hawthorn estate in 2021 and have big plans to build a second home on the property
Lee and Harding intend to connect the historic house to a modern building via a tunnel and residents told Chron Australia they can’t wait to see the results
Neighbors living down the street are tired of looking at the current state of the house, which they have described as a “dump” and “disgusting”.
“I think it’s fantastic that they’re tearing down the listed house.” “As a private home, I think it’s fantastic compared to what they were able to do,” said one, adding that it was a “tragedy” that the listed house was treated as it was
Others said they’ve been forced to view the “wreck” for nearly two decades and can’t wait for Andy and Rebecca to fix it.
“I’ve been here 23 years and I’m a derelict wreck of a dump.” “So as soon as someone fixes it, the better… I would oppose anyone who actually objects,” said one man.
“If they restore what’s there, then the build to the back is fine.” It was an eyesore.’
Another couple agreed, saying: “Right now it looks so gross I’d love to see it.” [renovated]. “Everything would be better”
Others said they’ve been forced to view the “wreck” for nearly two decades and can’t wait for Andy and Rebecca to fix it
“I’ve been here 23 years and this place was a derelict wreck of a dump.” “So as soon as someone fixes it, the better… I would oppose anyone actually opposed to it,” said one man
He added: “The problem is that they tore down the previous owner’s old Victorian chimneys and left it that way.”
“There actually used to be a beautiful porch, and then they tore it down and the renovations stopped everything the previous owners did, and it was like that for 10 years.”
The local council gave the green light to Andy and Rebecca to begin the luxury renovation of the abandoned Melbourne mansion in late June.
They reportedly plan to spend $5 million on the redevelopment.
The planned facilities listed in the master plan include a home cinema, gym, swimming pool and a “mega bedroom”.
He added: “The problem is that they tore down the previous owner’s old Victorian chimneys and left it that way.”
The neighbor continued, “It actually used to have a beautiful porch too, and then they tore it down and the renovations stopped everything the previous owners did and it was like that for 10 years.”
The local council gave the green light to Andy and Rebecca to begin the luxury renovation of the abandoned Melbourne mansion in late June
They reportedly plan to spend $5 million on the redevelopment
Planned facilities listed in the master plan include a home cinema, gym, swimming pool and a “mega bedroom”.
Despite initial resistance from local residents, Lee Rebecca Harding (pictured in front of the house) has now received City Council approval for construction