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Rowan Atkinson's Eco-Home Sparks Neighbor Feud
12 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Rowan Atkinson built an 8,000 sq ft glass mansion.
- Neighbors criticized the modern home as a 'space-age petrol station'.
- Atkinson invested £5 million in renovating the Oxfordshire property.
Rowan Atkinson, known for his iconic roles, is returning to screens with the Netflix miniseries Man vs Baby. In his personal life, the 70-year-old actor has recently concluded a significant renovation of his Oxfordshire home, Handsmooth House.
The ambitious project involved replacing the original 1930s property with a modern 8,000 square foot mansion constructed from glass and steel. Designed by American architect Richard Meier, the estate also features a guest pavilion and a tennis court. Atkinson reportedly invested £5 million into this transformation.
However, the striking modern design drew criticism from some local residents, who described the house as a "space-age petrol station" and unsuitable for the area. Despite these objections, the South Oxfordshire Council granted planning permission for the controversial build.
