Andy Lee has responded to criticism of his plans to rebuild a derelict riverside mansion in Melbourne as two connected houses, saying the design preserves the heritage structure and provides practical space for work and guests.
In a video posted to Instagram, the comedian and presenter outlined why he and his partner, Rebecca, are creating a new “river house” behind the original 150‑year‑old Italianate manor, with the two buildings linked by an underground tunnel. The move drew strong online reaction after Lee shared architectural renders showing both the restored heritage home and a contemporary addition clad in oxidised copper.
"A lot of people have been asking what the hell are we doing with this house," Lee said in the video. He explained the original house faces the Yarra River and that what is now its rear was once its front, because arrivals historically came by boat. Architects proposed building further back on the site to create a piazza between the two buildings and maintain views of the heritage facade, he said, while providing modern living and working spaces.
Lee said the old house will be used partly as an office, with "an office each upstairs and a guest room on the ground floor," allowing visitors to have private accommodation while keeping the historic structure intact. The new build, he added, will be clad in an oxidised copper finish intended to "disappear into the sky" with a green‑blue patina similar to the Statue of Liberty.
The project, at a property the couple call Ravenswood by the Yarra, began in 2023 after Lee bought the derelict 1,950 square metre holding in 2021 for about A$8.5 million. The couple won council approval for their development application in June 2023. The protracted renovation, which Lee has described as Block‑style, is estimated to cost about A$5 million and is expected to include a home theatre, gym, swimming pool and a large principal bedroom.
Reaction on social media was sharply divided after Lee revealed renderings and plans. Several commenters accused the couple of being "out of touch" and questioned the scale of the development. "Definitely lost touch," one comment read. Another asked, "How many people are living in this house?" and a third wrote that the project was a "modern monstrosity" that obscured the riverside view.
Lee addressed those criticisms directly in his video, saying the design responds to the site's unusual orientation and the need to preserve the heritage fabric while adding contemporary amenities. He said the architects' idea to build the new structure deeper on the site allowed the couple to both protect the original house and create a cohesive connection between the two buildings.
Local council approval and the pair’s public explanation reflect broader debates in Australia about balancing heritage conservation with contemporary development. Lee and his partner acquired the property with plans to restore it and to adapt parts of the house for modern use, a strategy often endorsed by conservationists when original structures are in poor condition and require sensitive development to secure their future.
Lee’s public explanation also underscores how high‑profile renovation projects can attract intense public scrutiny once plans and visuals are released online. The comedian said his partner was enthusiastic when she first saw the designs and that the couple remain committed to preserving the heritage home while creating a functional riverside residence.
Work on the site continues as the couple completes the detailed build and finalises interiors. Lee has provided periodic updates to followers, saying the project aims to respect the site’s history while accommodating contemporary family life and work needs.