Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding slammed by neighbours for 'horrendous' renovations of their Melbourne mansion as the couple swan off to New York: 'He has lost a lot of community goodwill'

Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding have been slammed over their ambitious $5million mansion renovation.

The funnyman, 42, and his fiancée, 34, are currently restoring a 150-year-old derelict mansion by the river in Hawthorn, Melbourne. 

While the couple are enjoying winter in New York, anyone within earshot of the construction is having to put up with 'horrendous' noise.

One neighbour told the Sydney Morning Herald's CBD column that the construction cacophony had caused the couple to lose 'a lot of community goodwill.'

'The noise is just horrendous,' the disgruntled neighbour told the publication.

'Some residents just leave – they go away for a week at a time and come back on the weekend.'

The publication also reported that residents are angry over construction noise that has continued for 26 weeks.

The noise is due to piling reinforced steel pillars and it was also reported that dust from 'constant' rock breaking, had coated the solar panels on nearby houses. 

However, a builder on site told the newspaper that residents will be able to get some respite from the noise in the very near future.

'We are just about done with the noise,' the builder said.

'That's everyone's Christmas present.' 

Andy and Rebecca have ambitious plans for their Italianate manor, Ravenswood. 

The renovation, which started last year, is estimated to cost $5 million. 

The comedian has been hard at work on the derelict Melbourne mansion he bought in 2021 in a Block-style rebuild.

Andy and Rebecca won council approval for their development application back in June last year.

Plans for the site include adding a second building which will be connected by a tunnel to the original Italianate mansion, which was built around 1876.

Other highlights planned for the 1950-square metre holding include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a 'mega bedroom'.

In a statement to the Herald Sun, Boroondara Council confirmed it had issued a notice of decision to grant a planning permit for the Yarra Grove address.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Andy Lee for comment.

While the construction continues, Andy and Rebecca are currently enjoying a winter in New York.

It's somewhat of a working holiday for the couple, with Andy opening an Aussie-themed pub in the heart of the Big Apple.

The pub, called Old Mates, 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.

Taking to Instagram this week, Andy announced 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.'

He continued: 'Aussies in NYC need a place to have a crisp cold Australian beer, to watch the AFL & NRL Finals, to cheer on the Matildas and watch The Ashes.

Andy also joked that the bringing the bar to live 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.

'If you don't believe me, see the last picture where I'm clearly holding a drill.'

He concluded the post by revealing that Old Mates would be open just in time for Australia Day, on January 24. 

Andy also shared a photo showing  him looking pleased as punch as he sat next to an equally chuffed Rebecca as they rode the subway.

The couple were dressed for the wintry weather and the funnyman captioned the photo with a simple: 'Back in NYC.'

Andy and Rebecca announced their engagement in August after 10 years together