“We regret that the previous long-term owner did not share this vital part of the property’s background with us,” company says after razing guitarists’ Western Sydney home
An Australian construction company apologized to AC/DC fans after mistakenly demolishing the childhood home of guitarists Angus and Malcolm Young last month.
The house in the western Sydney suburb of Burwood — which the Young brothers (including older brother George, a member of the Easybeats) moved into in 1965 and remained through AC/DC’s formation in 1973 — was previously listed on the National Trust Register of Historic Houses. A mural of AC/DC’s Young brothers was painted on the house’s exterior wall in 2024, ABC News Australia reported.
However, the house on 4 Burleigh Street was sold to developers in 2023 for AUD $5.8 million, and in late December, the structure was razed as part of a larger AUD $28.75 million residential site, angering fans of the rock band, as the Burwood home had become a gathering place for AC/DC fans.
Despite its Historic Houses recognition, the Burwood Council admitted that the National Trust distinction had “no statutory authority” and “the property does not have enforceable protections.”
Following the uproar, local construction company Burwood Square Pty Ltd issued a statement apologizing for the demolition, admitting that they were unaware of the significance of the Young household.
“We regret that the previous long-term owner did not share this vital part of the property’s background with us,” general manager Leon Kmita said. “We now recognize how deeply this location resonates with the AC/DC community and fans worldwide.”
The construction company pledged to salvage materials from the demolished house and create a space for AC/DC fans. “We feel a strong responsibility to honor AC/DC’s legacy and to make amends to all the fans who hold this band in such high regard,” Kmita added.
“While we cannot change the past, we are dedicated to celebrating this significant part of their story. To the global fanbase of AC/DC, please know that we hear you, appreciate your deep admiration for this legendary band, and are devoted to making this right.”
