Comedian Andy Lee and his fiancée Rebecca Harding are currently renovating a 150-year-old derelict mansion in Melbourne, but their neighbors are not thrilled.
The construction noise has been driving them crazy, and it’s not hard to see why.
The Noise is “Horrendous”
The couple is currently enjoying winter in New York, but back in Melbourne, anyone within earshot of the construction site is putting up with “horrendous” noise. One disgruntled neighbor told the Sydney Morning Herald that the noise has caused the couple to lose “a lot of community goodwill.”
26 Weeks of Construction Chaos
The noise has been going on for 26 weeks, and it’s not just the constant drilling and hammering that’s the problem. The construction team has been piling reinforced steel pillars, which has caused dust from rock breaking to coat the solar panels on nearby houses. It’s no wonder the neighbors are at their wit’s end.
A Christmas Present for the Neighbors
But there is some good news: a builder on site told the newspaper that the noisy part of the construction is almost over. “We are just about done with the noise,” the builder said. “That’s everyone’s Christmas present.” Phew!
Ambitious Plans for Ravenswood
Andy and Rebecca’s renovation plans for their Italianate manor, Ravenswood, are ambitious, to say the least. The project, which started last year, is estimated to cost a whopping $5 million. The couple won council approval for their development application back in June last year.
What’s in Store for the Mansion
The plans for the site include adding a second building connected by a tunnel to the original mansion, which was built around 1876. Other highlights planned for the 1950-square meter holding include a home theater, a gym, a swimming pool, and a “mega bedroom.” Sounds like a dream come true!
A Working Holiday in New York
While the construction continues, the loved-up couple is enjoying a winter in New York. But it’s not all play and no work. Andy is busy opening an Aussie-themed pub in the heart of the Big Apple called Old Mates. The pub is a joint project between Andy, former AFL star Nick Stone, and Eddy Buckhigham, an ex-pat Aussie who runs the Manhattan restaurant Chinese Tuxedo.
Andy’s Exciting New Venture
Andy took to Instagram to announce the project, sharing a series of photos of the soon-to-be-opened venue. “Super EXCITED for this,” he captioned the photos. “After the last Aussie bar in Manhattan closed down during COVID, a few pals and I thought it was important to build a new venue.”
Australia Day Launch
Andy also joked that bringing the bar to life had been a one-man job. “It’s taken me three years to personally build this pub with my bare hands like Noah from The Notebook,” he said. The pub will be open just in time for Australia Day, on January 24.
A Quick Getaway
Andy and Rebecca were spotted enjoying the wintry weather in New York, looking cozy as they rode the subway. The couple announced their engagement in August after 10 years together.