It’s shaping up to be one of the biggest residential renovation projects in Melbourne.
And Andy Lee and partner Rebecca Harding’s ambitious rebuild of their Hawthorn manor, Ravenswood, continues to drag on.
The couple purchased the derelict mansion, which sits on the banks of the Yarra River, back in 2021 for $8 million.
They then received council approval for their development application in June 2023, and immediately set about a gargantuan rebuild that cost a reported $5million in a refit that would make Block host Scott Cam blush.
Andy and Rebecca have not been shy about documenting the build on social media – via their own pages and one established specifically for the project – @thebuild_ravenswood.
The herculean task of restoring Ravenswood, which sits on an impressive 1,950 square metres, has not been unnoticed by neighbours, either.
It’s shaping up to be one of the biggest residential renovation projects in Melbourne . And Andy Lee and partner Rebecca Harding ‘s ambitious rebuild of their Hawthorn manor, Ravenswood, continues to drag on
‘It’s noisy. It’s been noisy… It’s frustrating because it’s been going for a year and we’ve still got a couple more years to go,’ one disgruntled person recently revealed to Daily Mail.
Another took umbrage with how frequently builders were working on the site, and wondered if Andy knew how noisy the construction was.
‘I will say they start at about 7.15am and finish at 5pm and it’s been six days a week… It’s been continuous noise,’ they said.
‘Now that they’ve started on the build, it’s a lot of hammering and the builders do like their loud music.
‘And of course the parking. It wasn’t considerate to the neighbours in that it was six days, not five days. I’m not sure Andy Lee is aware of the continuous noise.
So, after four years, why is Andy and Bec’s ambitious rebuild taking so long to complete?
Andy recently revealed that one of the biggest hurdles to completion was the need to build a second dwelling at the back of the existing structure.
Taking to Instagram earlier this month, Andy explained to fans what he and Rebecca were trying to achieve.
The couple purchased the derelict mansion, which sits on the banks of the Yarra River, back in 2021 for $8million and eventually obtained council approval for the ambitious $5million renovation in 2023.
So, after four years, why is Andy and Bec’s ambitious rebuild taking so long to complete?
Andy recently revealed that one of the biggest hurdles to completion was the need to build a second dwelling at the back of the existing structure
‘A lot of people have been asking what the hell are we doing with this house,’ Andy began the video. ‘That’s a very good question – I’ve wondered that as well.’
‘Here is a quick take. The main problem was the back of the house is its front because they used to arrive by the Yarra.’
He then revealed that the solution to the problem was to build a second house at the back of the original structure with both houses connected via an underground tunnel.
‘We need to preserve that and that’s where you’d normally build off for an extension,’ he said.
‘So, the architects had a great idea which was to build a bit further back… so we could have a new building – the river house, a piazza in between, and we can look back at the heritage house.
‘They’ve also created a tunnel between the two so it’s connected.’
As he spoke, Andy shared architectural renders of the finished product, while adding that the new structure would be clad with an oxidised copper ‘like The Statue Of Liberty’.
It’s also a meticulous attention to detail that is perhaps delaying the project’s completion.
‘The architects had a great idea which was to build a bit further back… so we could have a new building – the river house, a piazza in between, and we can look back at the heritage house,’ he revealed
As he spoke, Andy shared architectural renders of the finished product, while adding that the new structure would be clad with an oxidised copper ‘like The Statue Of Liberty’.
It’s also a meticulous attention to detail that is possibly delaying the project’s completion
Andy took to Instagram to share photos of their ongoing renovation, proudly showcasing a preserved ship’s porthole window – a relic from the home’s storied past
Also in September, Andy took to Instagram to share photos of their ongoing renovation, proudly showcasing a preserved ship’s porthole window – a relic from the home’s storied past.
In one photo, Andy beams through the large circular window frame on the construction site, while in another, Rebecca is seen laughing as she points towards the installation.
That attention to detail also extends to the four-legged members of the Lee-Harding household, too.
Speaking about the protracted renovation on Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren earlier this month, Rebecca revealed that the couple’s pooch, Henri, will enjoy all the mod cons at the new digs.
‘Does Henri the dog have her own wing?’ Lauren asked. ‘Because she’s the boss of your house.’
Rebecca admitted that although Henri will not have a wing dedicated to her, she will have her very own canine retreat.
‘Well, she doesn’t have a wing,’ she said. ‘She’s got a bedroom.’
Clearly shocked by the display of largesse towards their pooch, co-host Jase Hawkins asked for clarification.
That attention to detail also extends to the four-legged members of the Lee-Harding household, too, as Rebecca recently revealed on Nova 100’s Jase and Lauren
Rebecca admitted that although Henri will not have a wing dedicated to her, she will have her very own canine retreat. ‘Well, she doesn’t have a wing,’ she said. ‘She’s got a bedroom.’
Rebecca then revealed that Henri will have access to some features that would make many humans envious. ‘Well, it’s got heated floors,’ she said before admitting: ‘We’re mad.’
Other highlights planned for the 1,950 square metre holding include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a ‘mega bedroom’
The dilapidated Italianate style manor property, built in circa 1876, also boasts original baltic floorboards, open fireplaces, high ceilings and slate roof. Pictured: An architect’s render of the finished product
‘Are you kidding me? The dog’s got its own bedroom,’ he said, before Lauren asked: ‘What’s in the doggy bedroom?’
Rebecca then revealed that Henri will have access to some features that would make many humans envious.
‘Well, it’s got heated floors,’ she said before admitting: ‘We’re mad.’
‘She’s got a water bowl with a little tap above it to fill up her water bowl.’
Other highlights planned for the 1,950 square-metre holding include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a ‘mega bedroom’.
The dilapidated Italianate style manor property, built circa 1876, also boasts original baltic floorboards, open fireplaces, high ceilings and slate roof.
Bec and Andy revealed that the home was last occupied in 1992 and the previous owners left the property in a horrid state for over a decade after their own renovations ceased for unknown reasons.
