That was fast.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele on Wednesday tore down his $2.6 million mansion, just days after getting permission from Shorewood to demolish the home.

The move comes after more than 1,000 people signed an online petition opposing the demolition. The family who sold Abele the 9,762-square-foot lakefront home late last year also spoke out against his decision to tear down the mansion, saying he never disclosed his plans during their conversations.

On Wednesday, groups of people gathered on sidewalks near the home, 3534 N. Lake Drive, and watched as crews ripped off the roof, knocked down brick walls and tore out surrounding bushes.

By early afternoon, the mansion was reduced to rubble.

A spokeswoman for Abele said he had no further comment.

Last month, Abele — the son of a Boston billionaire — told the Journal Sentinel that he and his fiancée, Jennifer Gonda, love the neighborhood and are "committed to a design that respects and honors it."

Village Attorney Nathan Bayer said Shorewood's Design Review Board did not have authority to decide whether the house should be demolished during a meeting earlier this month.

Built in 1927, the residence was known as the Charles and Laura Albright House, for the original owners of the property. The Mediterranean Revival mansion was designed by architect Alexander C. Eschweiler, who was responsible for many landmark Milwaukee buildings and mansions.

The board was instead advised to focus on the site restoration plan, which explains how the site would be maintained before Abele's new home is built. The contractor, Barenz Builders, plans to fill the site until construction begins in November.

After learning of Abele's controversial plans, some residents have started pushing the Shorewood Village Board to consider an ordinance that would protect historical properties.

The Shorewood Historical Society proposed a historic preservation ordinance about 10 years ago, but it was never approved by the board.

Currently, village ordinances only protect homes recognized on the National Register of Historic Places or the State Register of Historic Places.

The mansion was not listed on either.

A deconstruction team from Habitat for Humanity previously removed some items from the mansion and has been selling them at ReStore locations.

Contact Mary Spicuzza at (414) 224-2324 or mary.spicuzza@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MSpicuzzaMJS or Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mary.spicuzza.