Andy Lee has given fans a first glimpse of what his ambitious Melbourne mansion renovation will look like.
The funnyman, 44, and his partner, 35, have spent the last two years restoring a 150-year-old derelict home by the Yarra River in Melbourne.
As the protracted renovation continues, Andy took to Instagram on Friday to explain what he and Rebecca were trying to achieve with the ambitious build.
‘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.
Andy Lee has given fans a first glimpse of what his ambitious Melbourne mansion renovation will look like
As the protracted reno continues, Andy took to Instagram on Friday to explain what he and Rebecca were trying to achieve with the ambitious build. Pictured: And architect’s render of the finished house
‘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 continuing to offer details about the new river house.
‘We’ve decided we’re going to clad the newer build with an oxidised copper like the Statue of Liberty, so it’s kind of a greeny-blue and it will feel a lot more warmth and disappear into the sky,’ Andy explained.
He added that the plans had been met with his partner’s approval, saying: ‘Bec just lost her marbles when she saw this.’
The post was met with a flurry of comments from followers, with one asking the purpose of the second house.
‘So what are the plans with the existing house? Will it be an occupied house?’ they asked.
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 said. ‘They’ve also created a tunnel between the two so it’s connected’
‘We’ve decided we’re going to clad the newer build with an oxidised copper like the Statue of Liberty, so it’s kind of a greeny-blue and it will feel a lot more warmth and disappear into the sky,’ Andy explained
Andy replied: ‘Plans to have an office each upstairs and a guest room on the ground floor. Designed so guests can visit but also have their own space.’
Some, however, took the opportunity to take a subtle dig at Andy, claiming he was ‘out of touch.’
‘A copper cladded house with a tunnel is supervillain level detachment from the common man,’ one offered.
Another chimed in with a similar: ‘Video explaining your house, not very common man.’
It wasn’t all criticism, though, with many gushing over the stunning images.
‘Will look amazing,’ one fan wrote. ‘You worked for it and earned the right to do what you’re doing. Well done Andy and Bec.’
Another echoed the sentiment with: ‘Beyond brilliant architecture and design. So happy to see people living their dream. What a fabulous home you both are creating.’
Andy and Rebecca have grand plans for their Italianate manor, with the planned renovation worth an estimated $5 million having begun in 2023.
He added that the plans had been met with his partner’s approval, saying: ‘Bec just lost her marbles when she saw this’
Andy and Rebecca have grand plans for their Italianate manor, with the planned renovation worth an estimated $5million having begun in 2023
The comedian has been hard at work on the derelict Melbourne mansion, called Ravenswood, he bought for $8.5million in 2021, in a Block-style rebuild.
The comedian has been hard at work on the derelict Melbourne mansion, called Ravenswood, he bought for $8.5 million in 2021, in a Block-style rebuild.
The couple won council approval for their development application back in June 2023.
Other highlights planned for the 1,950 square metre holding include a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and a ‘mega bedroom’.
With huge plans to connect a modern build to the Italianate manor, and with years still to go, Daily Mail revealed in June that the disruptive works had divided neighbours.
‘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 said.
Though they went on to add the ‘earthworks’ were the noisiest portion of the build, the neighbour said nowadays it has ‘actually settled down quite a bit’.
‘Any building site is noisy… It’s hard with parking. The parking is difficult, but any house renovation does that,’ they continued.
Another neighbour agreed, saying: ‘There was digging every day between seven and three. That’s ceased.
‘At the moment it has quietened down. We’ve just accepted that it’s happening.’
