Andy Lee’s neighbours on millionaire’s row urge council to block $5million renovation plans

Andy Lee is set to spend $5 million renovating a dilapidated Melbourne mansion he bought in 2021 to make it his dream home.

But his extensive renovations have reportedly infuriated his neighbors.

According to the Announce sunneighbors have submitted several objections on landscape and heritage issues to the Boroondara City Council.

The municipality is now reviewing the submissions after local residents urged that plans be postponed.

Built in 1876, the property was last sold in 1995 for $1.8 million before Andy bought it in 2021 for $8.5 million.

Planners Urbis have described the renovation plans as ‘driven by the owners’ desire to preserve and embrace the heritage values ​​of the place, while adding a contemporary designed residential zone’.

‘The result will be a conserved and adapted heritage building opposite Yarra Grove with a modern residential component far back on site, but cleverly connected to the Grade II listed building via a tunnel,’ it said.

The comedian purchased the dilapidated Hawthorn property in 2021 and submitted extensive renovation plans to his council in April.

Some of the planned features Andy outlined include a home theater, gym, swimming pool, and a “mega bedroom.”

The property overlooks the scenic Yarra River and would be the ideal place for Andy and girlfriend Rebecca Harding, 31, to start a family.

In 2021, Andy’s sales agent told the Herald Sun that renovating the property is going to be a huge passion project for the popular comedian and his partner.

“It will probably become a lifelong passion, a generation home for them. They were drawn to the opportunity to renovate an original home,” they said.

The dilapidated Italianate country house, built around 1876, is situated on a princely plot of 2000 m² and overlooks the River Yarra.

All aspects of the property – bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and living areas – need updating as it has been neglected over the decades.