Simon Baker has embarked on controversial renovations to his Bondi Beach home after buying a cottage for $6 million two years ago.
Photos obtained by Daily Mail Australia show the actor spending $1.4 million transforming his property, despite multiple complaints from local residents.
Neighbors have expressed concerns that the height, volume and size of the new building will block their views of the ocean.
Four comments from three different neighbors were submitted to Waverley Council about upgrading the property.
Despite the complaints, the application was approved and photos taken last Friday show fencing having been installed around the property.
The roof and windows have been demolished, with tiles and building materials piled up at the back.
Simon Baker has started extensive renovation work on his cottage in Sydney’s Bondi Beach after purchasing the property for $6 million in 2022
Neighbors have raised concerns about the height, size and dimensions of the new building blocking views
The new detached house will have an extension on the first floor, fencing and a green roof above the garage.
The new building also includes three bedrooms, a home sauna, outdoor shower, ‘green roof’ and home studio.
On the first floor there are two bedrooms, one of which is the largest with a bathrobe and an adjacent balcony.
Simon bought the property in 2022 for $6 million after it was put up for sale by social commentator Ruth Ostrow.
The actor bought the house after he and his ex-wife Rebecca Rigg reportedly sold their three-bedroom home in nearby Bronte for almost $17 million.
The former couple shocked real estate watchers with the lucrative sale, especially since they bought the house in 2015 for just $6.5 million.
Simon and Rebecca announced their divorce in January 2021. They told People in a joint statement: “We remain close friends and our three children will always be the main focus of our lives.”
The actor is spending $1.4 million transforming the cottage, despite several complaints from local residents
Photos of the property taken last Friday show fencing having been installed around the existing home
The roof and windows have been demolished, while roof tiles and building materials have been piled up at the back of the building
The new detached house will have a new extension on the first floor, fencing and a green roof above the garage
But according to Fox News, they broke up nine months in advance in April 2020.
Simon first met Rebecca in the early 1990s and married in 1998 after living together for five years.
They share three children together: Stella, 30, Claude, 25, and Harry, 22.
Rebecca is best known for her roles in the moves Fatty Finn and Ellie Parker, and also had a small role opposite Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire.
Simon found success in TV shows like The Mentalist and The Guardian, as well as films like The Devil Wears Prada.
In September, Simon narrowly avoided a drink-driving charge after he was caught drink-driving near his home in northern NSW.
The court was told that officers were unable to carry out a blood alcohol test due to the then global Microsoft outage.
Simon remained silent as he left Mullumbimby Local Court in the company of his lawyer, Peggy Dwyer.
The award-winning actor pleaded guilty to a single charge of driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol during an earlier court appearance.
The house will have three bedrooms, a home sauna, outdoor shower, ‘green roof’ and home studio
Simon bought the property for $6 million after it was put up for sale by social commentator Ruth Ostrow
The actor bought the house after he and his ex-wife Rebecca Rigg reportedly sold their three-bedroom home in nearby Bronte for almost $17 million.
Four comments have been submitted to the municipal council by three different neighbors against the new building
Simon’s planning application was approved earlier this year
Another charge of attempted driving under the influence of alcohol was dropped on the same date.
Baker faced a maximum sentence of 30 penalty units or 18 months’ imprisonment, or both, Magistrate Kathy Crittenden said.
But the Hollywood star instead left court on a parole order, requiring him to be of good behavior for nine months.
No conviction was recorded.