Comedian Andy Lee provided an update on the ambitious $5 million renovation of his 150-year-old mansion in Hawthorn, Melbourne, which he is restoring with his fiancée, Rebecca Harding. The couple, who purchased the derelict Italianate manor, known as Ravenswood, in 2021, have been working to bring the historic home back to its former grandeur.
According to the Daily Mail, the large-scale renovation, which began last year, is estimated to cost $5 million. Andy and Rebecca have big plans for the mansion, which sits by the river, transforming it into a luxurious residence while preserving its historical charm.
On Thursday, Andy took to Instagram to share a glimpse of the ongoing project, revealing that they had encountered a setback. Water damage had been discovered in part of the mansion, requiring significant repairs. A photo posted by the comedian showed a large section of the home that had to be gutted due to rotting floorboards.
“Immense water damage has rotted all the floorboards, so they had to come out,” Andy explained in the post. “Huge laminated timber struts support the ceiling in the meantime.”
Despite the challenges, Andy maintained his sense of humor throughout the process. He joked about keeping the ceiling heights extra high for their dog, Henri, a tall terrier, saying, “There has been some suggestion that our dog Henri may eventually grow taller than a giraffe. As a precaution, we may just leave the ceiling heights at the current 8.5 meters. Hopefully, that’s enough for her.”
Andy also shared a series of photos showing the extensive excavation work happening outside the mansion, signaling that there’s still much more to be done before the renovation is complete.
The project, reminiscent of a Block-style rebuild, is a labor of love for Andy and Rebecca, as they work to restore the palatial property to its former glory while overcoming the inevitable challenges of renovating such an old structure. With the renovation well underway, fans are eager to see the final result of the couple’s grand vision.