Melbourne’s Ravenswood renovation drags on as couple adds river-side expansion and canine retreat

A derelict Hawthorn mansion on the banks of the Yarra River remains under renovation four years after Andy Lee and Rebecca Harding bought Ravenswood for $8 million, and the scope of the project has grown well beyond a traditional facelift. The project is already being described as one of Melbourne’s largest residential renovations, with progress that has drawn attention from neighbours and local observers as it extends into a broader rebuild of the 1,950-square-metre site.

Council records show that the couple obtained development approval in June 2023 for a roughly $5 million refit that would transform the aged Italianate-style property, built circa 1876 and last occupied in 1992, into a multi-building estate on the riverfront. The plans call for a new back structure, described by the couple as a “river house,” connected to the original heritage home by a piazza and an underground tunnel. Architects proposed the rear building to be set further back so the two can be joined without compromising the river-facing front of Ravenswood, with the project ultimately clad in oxidised copper to evoke a grand, weathered appearance reminiscent of iconic riverfront architecture.

In recent social posts, Andy and Rebecca have chronicled the complex’s evolution, including architectural renders of the planned river-facing addition and the tunnel that would physically connect the two structures. Andy explained to followers that the “back of the house is its front” due to the site’s river access, and that the team’s solution was to create a second dwelling behind the historic mansion with a passage linking the two. The narrative continued with a description of the engineered plan: a new building, the river house, would sit behind the original structure, a piazza would sit between the two, and the two would be connected by an underground tunnel. The architects’ concept features copper cladding that would patina over time, a detail the couple highlighted as part of the project’s distinctive character.

The project’s scope extends beyond external aesthetics. Proponents have emphasized a high level of internal detailing, including preserved elements from Ravenswood’s storied past. Andy shared images of a ship’s porthole window salvaged from the original home, a relic that underscores the property’s maritime-adjacent heritage. The team has also highlighted planned luxuries to be included in the broader estate: a home theatre, a gym, a swimming pool and what the couple have described as a “mega bedroom” as part of the new river-facing complex.

The scale and pace of the rebuild have not gone unnoticed by neighbours. A Daily Mail article cited residents who described ongoing construction as disruptive, noting that work typically begins around 7:15 a.m. and continues six days a week with persistent hammering and music. Parking congestion on nearby streets has also been a recurring complaint, with critics questioning the project’s impact on suburban amenity and accessibility as the Richmond play of the City of Melbourne’s planning approvals continues to unfold. The sheer duration of the project — more than four years since the purchase and nearly two years since council approval — has fed ongoing discussion about the feasibility and prioritization of such a large residential renovation within a historic enclave.

In interviews and on Nova 100’s Jase & Lauren show, Rebecca referenced the project’s unusual attention to detail and the needs of the couple’s pets. The dog Henri is expected to benefit from a dedicated canine retreat within the new layout, including features such as heated floors and a dedicated room. Rebecca described Henri’s space in terms that underscored the project’s broader theme of luxury and practicality, noting that while Henri will not have an entire wing, she will have “a bedroom” and access to amenities that many humans would envy. The couple has framed the canine retreat as part of a broader approach to comfort and livability inside Ravenswood, aligning with plans for a variety of high-end living spaces across the two connected structures.

The Ravenswood project remains anchored to its historic roots while embracing contemporary design elements. The property’s original Baltic floorboards, open fireplaces, high ceilings and a slate roof form part of the historical fabric that the renovation aims to preserve, even as new construction unfolds behind the façade. The mix of heritage preservation with modern amenities — from a potential cinema and gym to a copper-clad riverside wing — illustrates the challenges and ambitions of a restoration that seeks to harmonize the old with the new.

As the builders press forward, the timeline for completion remains fluid. Andy and Rebecca have acknowledged the complexity of integrating two connected structures and maintaining the property’s historical integrity, a combination that has contributed to delays. While the project has drawn admiration for its scale and attention to detail, it has also raised questions about the pace of redevelopment in Melbourne’s inner suburbs and the balance between renovation and disruption for nearby residents. Ravenswood’s story continues to unfold as the riverfront estate moves toward a future that preserves its 19th-century lineage while accommodating 21st-century comforts for its owners and their four-legged family members.