Work Begins On Russian Billionaire's UES Megamansion: Report

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A Russian billionaire is moving forward with his plan to combine four Upper East Side townhouses into a megamansion, according to reports.

Work has begun on a project to combine 9, 11, 13 and 15 E. 74th streets into one home, the New York Post first reported. The properties are all owned by Roman Abramovich, who made a multi-billion-dollar fortune in the country's steel industry and is pals with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

With Abramovich's recent divorce to Dasha Zhukova, it's unclear who will ultimately reside in the massive compound, sources told the Post.

"I have no idea if anyone will ever live there, but Abramovich is putting the townhouses together. Construction is underway," sources told the Post.

The steel magnate's original plan to combine three adjacent homes was rejected by the city Landmarks Preservation Commission in 2016. Last year, the body signed off on new plans — with an added fourth home — after architects Stephen Wang + Associates agreed to preserve the townhouse facades, Curbed reported.

Abramovich bought the fourth townhouse — 9 E. 74th St. — for $28.7 million in October of 2017, according to public real estate records.

Photo by Google Maps street view