Billionaire 'Lambo Guy' Seeks Violence Order Against Builder in $15M Penthouse Feud
Billionaire Adrian Portelli, famously known as 'Lambo Guy' for his extensive sports car collection, has applied for an apprehended violence order against builder Michael Strom following a heated social media dispute that escalated into alleged threats. The order was filed by New South Wales Police on behalf of Portelli, targeting Strom after their conflict over renovations at Portelli's lavish $39 million Melbourne penthouse intensified.
Renovation Dispute Escalates to Legal Action
The feud centres on work conducted by Strom's company, Black Sheep Building, on Portelli's penthouse located at 308 Exhibition Street in Melbourne. The ambitious project included a car installation on the 57th floor, but inspectors reportedly discovered significant issues, including faulty waterproofing and structural concerns. These findings forced a complete halt to the construction for a thorough investigation.
Portelli, the founder of the lottery subscription rewards company LMCT+, claims he paid approximately $15 million for an $11 million contract to renovate the luxurious unit. Growing suspicious after a year-long delay in the project, Portelli—who gained fame by purchasing nine properties on the television reality show The Block—brought in TikTok site inspector Zeher Khalil to assess the completed work.
Social Media Inspection Reveals Major Defects
Portelli and Khalil conducted a two-hour inspection of the penthouse, which was later shared on YouTube. In the video, Khalil alleged that some areas required complete demolition and redoing. "I had a bad gut feeling—it was meant to be finished 12 months ago and I just want to dig a bit deeper," Portelli explained to Khalil during the clip.
Khalil identified numerous problems, including issues with waterproofing and incorrectly fitted tiles and panels. He warned Portelli, "I think it's going to be a lot of work, man." During the inspection, Khalil turned on a shower and filmed water leaking outside the wet area, exclaiming, "12 minutes in and the shower is leaking all the way downstairs and possibly even to the people under us. I am shocked."
Portelli responded, "The more we can find, the more damage we can do to someone," and noted that their combined audience of "millions" would "definitely hold the builders accountable." In the YouTube video, Portelli also revealed that he had awarded the builder contracts worth "over $300 million worth of developments."
Alleged Threats and Legal Battles
While Strom was not initially named in the video, Portelli later identified him and Black Sheep Building in Instagram posts. Portelli recounted to Khalil that during a mediation session with his team and the builder, Strom allegedly threatened him. "He snapped and he actually threatened me. He said, 'I'm going to jump on a plane. I'll come and punch your f***ing teeth out'," Portelli claimed.
This is not the first legal confrontation between the two parties. At the end of last year, Black Sheep Building took Portelli to court over a $14 million contract to construct an NDIS-standard 'high physical support accommodation' in Gosford, located 80 kilometres north of Sydney. The construction company filed unpaid payment claims, which Portelli repeatedly denied, but the court ultimately ruled in favour of the firm. In response, A J Portelli Medical is countersuing Black Sheep.
Court Proceedings and Reactions
New South Wales Police have declined to comment on the apprehended violence application, which is scheduled to be mentioned in Blacktown Local Court next week. When approached about the case, Portelli told The Australian newspaper, "F*** Mick Strom." Daily Mail attempted to contact both Portelli and Strom for comments on the allegations, but responses were not immediately available.
The dispute highlights the tensions that can arise in high-stakes construction projects, particularly when combined with the amplifying effect of social media. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to attract significant public attention, underscoring the broader implications for accountability in the building industry.
