Tag: The Block 2018

Buyer’s advocate dishes on The Block 2018 auctions

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 29, 2018
4 Comments on Buyer’s advocate dishes on The Block 2018 auctions

Buyer’s advocate Greville Pabst from PropertyDuo helped facilitate the purchase of four out of five apartments from last night’s Block auctions. Here he shares his thoughts on the auction results and the 2018 series overall.

What a transformation we have seen at the Gatwick Hotel this past few months. The famous hotel used to be dilapidated with its beautiful internal art deco features hidden away but thanks to The Block contestants, the Gatwick Hotel is now the crown jewel of St Kilda. The expensive revitalisation is kick starting the revival of the area’s former cool, edgy but elegant self.

It really is a fairy tale ending, and I felt quite emotional and proud to facilitate handing the keys over to three independent buyers who bought four of the five apartments – one buyer purchasing the two magnificent penthouses for what him and I agree was a bargain.

I was able to obtain four of the five Block apartments (something that has never been done in the show’s history), because of my deep understanding that selling and buying property is all about making the perfect match between the vendor and buyer. On behalf of buyers, I source and buy property that ticks all boxes for them – their functional needs and blue-sky dreams. For vendors, I advise on how to get a property ready for auction day by prepping and marketing the property to the right demographic, as I do for The Block contestants each season.

For example, the St Kilda buyer is a smart investor who knows St Kilda has a high rental yield, but is a cool yet elegant person so the furnishings and finishes needed to meet expectations. This year we also saw original owners wanting to retain a piece of their past. My job is to know who will fall in love with a property and help them secure their dream.

The two sisters for whom I bought apartment number two (Courtney and Hans’) took ownership from their mother in 1999, who had owned the hotel for 46 years. They worked at the hotel from the age of 14. They’re such strong women and what they’ve done for the community is outstanding. I am honoured to have represented them. We agreed that they had to have an apartment that faced Fitzroy Street, where all the action is in St Kilda and the original street address of the Gatwick Hotel. This was the one that was the real Gatwick for them which is why they didn’t want the penthouses, because they’re new.

Greville inside one of the apartment terraces — Greville inside the terrace designed by Hayden and Sara

Apartment one has the dream kitchen, a space that means there is no such thing as too many cooks in the kitchen. My client is in love with the large dining and living room and celebrated the purchase that will return exceptional capital growth.

And who doesn’t want to own not one but two penthouses. Congratulations to my buyer, those rare expansive terraces are going to host many fun and memorable moments and will always be extremely desirable and grow in value as the views are ‘unblockable’.

Defying the current market, contestant’s expectations were certainly exceeded. It’s great when we see everyone win. My buyers absolutely felt like winners too.

Greville is CEO and executive chairman of WBP Group and one of the buyer’s advocates on The Block. He is a regular commentator on Sky News and the daily papers such as Herald Sun, the AFR and The Australian, helping everyday Australians make better property decisions.

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Tags apartment, apartments, auction, Greville Pabst, melbourne, property, real estate, the block, The Block 2018

Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT The Block

All the details from The Block 2018 challenge kitchen

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 26, 2018
2 Comments on All the details from The Block 2018 challenge kitchen

Courtney-hans-kitchen-cabinets — Apartment one's statement kitchen will be enjoyed by the two sisters that bought it at auction

It won them first place and major adulation from the judges during the final reveal on The Block last week and we suspect it may have piqued your interest too. The Block judge Neale Whitaker was particularly taken with Hans and Courtney’s kitchen calling it their best work on the series. “It’s sensational! It’s a kitchen that acknowledges this is where we now live life and I am suffering extreme kitchen envy. I want this badly!” he said.

And while it’s not everyone’s cup of the proverbial, Hans and Courtney’s kitchen certainly made an impact so we thought we’d unpack its finer details.

Shelving
The café-style design was a departure from the usual kitchen styles that we’ve come to expect from The Block – it’s most notable feature was the black framed shelving used extensively throughout. A Freedom Kitchens product, the ‘2020 Black Alumin’ frame shelving was a look that was seen previously at this year’s biggest kitchen tradeshow in Milan.

Not only does the anodised matte black framing and glass shelving pack a visual punch, they provide ample open overhead storage and styling opportunities too. The clear glass means the overhead shelving doesn’t block light either, which cements the kitchen’s overall light and airy vibe.

Benchtop & splash back
The benchtop and splash backs are carved out of Caesarstone’s new ‘Excava’ finish – the man made material features an authentic industrial style patina. It’s a prominent feature of the kitchen given it features on the vast island bench top also but it’s a look that really complements the space.

Caesarstone 'Excava' — Caesarstone ‘Excava’

Cabinets
Again provided by Freedom Kitchens, the kitchen cabinetry features the brand’s popular ‘Sierra’ profile door in both ‘white matte’ and ‘black matte.’ Both colours help to neutralise the warm tones of the Ceasarstone ‘Excava.’

Butler’s pantry
The butler’s pantry was my favourite part of the kitchen – spacious and stylish it features a series of integrated Subzero fridges and plenty of wine storage too.

For more | All our Block coverage

Tags design, interior design, interiors, kitchen, melbourne, reno, renovating, renovation, the block, The Block 2018

Design The Block

The Block 2018 last reveal: Challenge rooms

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date October 22, 2018
1 Comment on The Block 2018 last reveal: Challenge rooms

Last night saw the final reveal of The Block for 2018 and this time it was the challenge rooms. The standout space for me was Courtney and Hans’ kitchen. After walking through the butler’s pantry, Neale said he had “extreme kitchen envy” and I certainly did too!

1^st: COURTNEY AND HANS
Score: 29/30

Courtney and Hans created a black and white St Kilda inspired kitchen complete with stainless steel gantries, Caesarstone benchtops, a large butler’s pantry and neon ‘3182’ St Kilda sign. Shaynna loved it, Neale called it the “kitchen of his dreams” and Darren called it “absolutely spectacular.”

“It’s a kitchen that acknowledges that the kitchen is now where we live life,” said Neale. And Shaynna said although the couple’s styling had been hit and miss throughout the season but felt this space boasted precision styling. “I actually feel that not only does it feel like someone lives here but it’s styled beautifully too,” she said.

And while the fridge, tucked away in the amazing butler’s pantry, was some distance from the main event, the judges didn’t seem to mind. In fact, after stepping into the butler’s pantry Neale said he was suffering “extreme kitchen envy.”

My picks to buy: Rialheim ceramic pig bowl and Carla O’Brien neon postcode light.

2^nd:KERRIE AND SPENCE
Score: 28.5/30

With a projector screen, sofa, coffee table, bar, bespoke poster and Yamaha Smart Piano, Kerrie and Spence’s terrace was very well received by the judges. They loved the piano, large artwork and especially the way in which the bar facilitates people-watching over the street. Overall, the judges thought the room was fabulous.

My pick to buy: ‘Playbox, the Malthouse’ by Boris Bucan silkscreen print.

3^rd: SARA AND HAYDEN
Score: 27/30

Hayden and Sara's challenge hallway — The judges loved the artwork in Hayden and Sara’s challenge hallway

Hayden and Sara had an epic four spaces to complete – the hall, powder room, laundry and study – and the judges acknowledged that it was quite an undertaking.

Shaynna loved the feature artwork in the hall and Neale did too. He called the mural “strong, engaging, cool and retro” but wasn’t a fan of the hall table styling. The judges loved the laundry (Darren called it “exceptional”) and felt it delivered on functionality and style. Shaynna thought the study was “fantastic” and Neale said it was the best thing they’d delivered all season.

Hayden & Sara challenge study — Hayden and Sara’s challenge study

Hayden and Sara's challenge laundry — Hayden and Sara’s challenge laundry

Hayden & Sara's challenge powder room — Hayden & Sara’s challenge powder room

My picks to buy: White Moose hippo head planter and west elm striped angle geometry bookend.

4^th: NORM AND JESS
Score: 26.5/30

After their dull master bedroom from last week, Norm and Jess really upped their game for their challenge dining room. A hero of the space, the judges thought the large pink neon sign was “corny but oh so good.” The Christian Cole dining table was well received too with Neale calling it “stunning” while Darren liked the pendant lights above it. Overall the judges felt the room was a strong offering.

My picks to buy: Tipi Interiors black and white bone inlay stripe stool and The Print Emporium Palm Springs Doorway 2 art print

5^th: BIANCA AND CARLA
Score: 21.5/30

Neale called Bianca and Carla’s challenge lounge room vibe “weird” and thought that it felt really thrown together. Shaynna felt the room didn’t match the quality of the rest of the apartment and Darren agreed. “It’s too young and low-cost,” said Darren while Neale said it felt “cheap and that it was letting the whole apartment down.”

In particular, Shaynna thought the two rugs placed on top of one another were odd, she wondered where the bespoke cabinetry was and she finished by saying that she thought the girls “checked out of The Block a week ago.” By the looks of it, they did!

My picks to buy: Life Interiors Dala horse and Arro Home Rigby cushion.

ALL OUR BLOCK COVERAGE

Tags darren palmer, design, interior design, interiors, neale whitaker, shaynna blaze, styling, the block, The Block 2018

Bedrooms The Block

Block room reveals 2018: disappointing master bedrooms

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date September 3, 2018
9 Comments on Block room reveals 2018: disappointing master bedrooms

So, did you watch last night’s Block master bedroom reveals? Or, as I like to call it, a really good ad for Kinsman wardrobes! I spent a lot of it with a sort of grimace on my face like Wallace from Wallace and Gromit. You know the one?! There’s an emoticon for it… I do try to be kind and not harp on like some mean know it all because let’s face it I’m a) not an expert and b) it’s bloody hard being on that show. But last night’s bedrooms were so underwhelming on the whole I felt annoyed. And then Hayden and Sara, who threatened to walk last week on account of always coming last, came first. What a surprise! Coincidence? Perhaps, but still!

None of those rooms were particularly different or inspiring. And the fact that words like ‘cute’ and ‘nice’ were used to describe the winning room, said it all really! That and the fact the judges liked all the walk-ins better than the actual rooms.

The worst for me though was Courtney and Hans’ room, by a long way. It was so huge (yet empty) and full of expensive pieces but ultimately looked cheap and wasn’t in the slightest cohesive. All I could see was bloody carpet, carpet, carpet! Speaking of which, what does everyone have against rugs this season?! Where are they?! And, while I’m ranting, enough with the velvet bedheads! I love velvet bedheads. I have one in my own master, but they’re not the only bedhead out there and they certainly aren’t the only way to give a luxury look. Ok, I’ve got that off my chest now! Let’s see something a little different, could we?

There were a few redeeming features for me, namely Jess and Norm’s killer gold LED wall lamps, Bianca and Carla’s timber besides, the wardrobes in general, the herringbone floors and the girls’ Samsung Frame TV (they’re very cool, I want!) that doubles as artwork. I’ve linked to my favourites from each room below.

So, here you go if you missed it: the judges’ comments, what the couples did and how they scored…

2nd (24/30) KERRIE AND SPENCE

Kerrie and Spence used luxurious velvets and a soft, romantic colour palette in their main bedroom, which featured dark drapes, a custom-built bedhead with seafoam fabric inlay, and huge, dark ‘his-and-hers’ walk-in robes.

But it failed to get the judges excited. Neale said: “We’re in the master bedroom of a luxury apartment. I’m sorry, I want a bit of va-va-voom. It’s a white room.” Shaynna thought the problem was scale. The bed was perfect but the bedhead too short, the artwork and pendants were in the wrong spot. Diplomatic Darren said the light fittings are not as impactful as they could have been. Shaynna said they were ridculous! “It feels a bit hospital.”

Had to agree with Shaynna on those lights and the bedhead behind the bedhead reminded me of a bad hotel one (sorry Spence!)

Neale said they were playing it too safe. “It feels like they had a great idea and then they pressed pause because they got scared.” Shaynna said it was very forgettable.

But they all loved the huge walk-in robe. Shaynna said it was amazing. Darren thought it was what buyers would remember. And Shaynna said they could easily restyle the entire thing to make it a penthouse master.

Our pick to buy: Gold tray set by Ziporah Lifestyle

4th (22/30) COURTNEY AND HANS

Courtney and Hans’ main bedroom featured a pink bedhead, a large statement fan, a round mirror, two dark pink velvet chairs and a gold coffee table as a seating area, and THAT controversial artwork. Their deluxe walk-in robes featured a last minute marble stone bench.

This room is killing me. I don’t even know where to start.

The judges were blown away by the sheer size and couldn’t believe it had its own hallway! Darren said: “These spaces are massive!” Darren and Shaynna loved the bed, its styling and the colour palette. They said the lighting was well planned.

But that was where the good news ended.

Neale said he must have been in a slightly different room. “There is nothing in here that’s going to make me want to buy this apartment. It feels like an exercise in wasted space. The hallway serves no purpose. And that’s the worst piece of art I’ve ever seen.” Eek!

Yes Neale, you were right about the art! And what’s going on with that fan in the context of this room?!

He continued: “I know I’m sounding over the top but the choice of art dictates the emotion you feel when you walk into the room. There are elements that are nice but they don’t come together.” He thinks they should have made a bigger deal of the sheer size with a rug, couch, ottoman or floor-to-ceiling mirrors.

They all noticed the finishes weren’t up to standard either. But, once again, the robe was nicer than room itself! Neale said it was one of the most impressive walk-ins he’d ever seen on The Block. Shaynna agreed it was beautiful.

Our pick to buy: GlobeWest carved gold coffee table (I had this in my last home and it is amazing!)

1st (26.5/30) SARA AND HAYDEN

Sara and Hayden finally broke their three-week losing streak, presenting a Deco-inspired main bedroom. They achieved their look by painting a blue-grey charcoal feature wall, including an Art Deco-inspired upholstered bedhead with gold stud details, a pink fur throw and a contemporary artwork in shades of blue and pink.

The judges all felt something grand greeted them. Darren loved the coffered ceiling and the way it covered the curtains. Neale said it was cute. Shaynna felt a sense of relief. “The restraint they’ve shown is great.”

All the judges thought it had really worked. Darren liked the bedhead and the blue wall behind it. Shaynna said it was the right balance of Deco and contemporary but the artwork wasn’t hitting the sweet spot. “It feels everyday.” Neale said it was a little generic.

They all agreed the air con vent was very well considered and planned. And they also all noticed the unfinished painting!

It was another popular walk-in. Shaynna said there was so much storage it wasn’t funny and raved about the sensor lights. Neale and Darren said the mirror wall was very clever. Darren said it had a look of finesse with all the LED strip lighting.

Shame about that cheap looking laundry hamper

Shaynna finished though by very rightly saying that last week’s en suite definitely didn’t match the room and the walk-in.

Our pick to buy: west elm balloon glass table lamps

Joint 3rd (22.5/30) JESS AND NORM

They might have only had a small space to work with, but Jess and Norm dialed up the luxe with their extra cash from challenges, presenting a room that featured marble, parquetry, bespoke neon lights and a walk-in robe space that had all three judges singing its praises.

The bed styling and light situation is nice. Just don’t look at the TV wall!

It certainly made a good first impression. Darren said he loved everything, especially the layering of the bed, the colours and the lights.

Neale and Shyanna however, were a little less enthusiastic! Neale asked if it was a bedroom or a gold class cinema seat? “It’s all about the TV.” There was way too much going on. “If ever a room cried out for a little bit of less is more, it’s this one. Wow, what an overload. This room is giving me indigestion!”

Shaynna was overwhelmed. “I feel so claustrophobic. Scale has got the better of them. This room needed to feel very elegant and simple but they went and filled it with too many distractions. The year 2000 wants its niches back!” Oh, how I laughed!

Neale said a lot of people would call it their idea of heaven but it wasn’t the master suite the apartment needed.

They all loved the walk-in (again!), calling it excellent and beautiful.

Our pick to buy: Those gold LED wall lamps (fabulous!)

Joint 3rd (22.5/30) BIANCA AND CARLA

Bianca and Carla continued to impress with their subtle, moody monochrome master, but it didn’t get the great feedback of last week. The girls used a dark timber feature wall, dark drapes, custom wooden side tables, parquetry floor, charcoal-coloured linen on the bed, and a timber cabinet under their state-of-the-art (pardon the pun) Frame TV by Samsung.

50 shades of grey and I’m not loving them. Don’t go off track please, girls!

Neale said the girls certainly knew how to surprise them each week. Darren thought they’d delivered a different kind of luxury. “That charcoal tonal, monochromatic look is very tactile. For a neutral palette to be so visually interesting is tricky.” Neale agreed.

Shaynna loved the signature bedsides. They all loved the Samsung Frame TV, cleverly disguised as an artwork. Neale didn’t love the ball light and found it a little bit cold. He thought the bedsides were too small. He wanted to love the wall but was struggling. “I don’t think these girls are thinking how we actually live. It’s style over substance.”

Ingrain Designs save the day with these timber bedsides

Foreman Dan Reilly had raised the issue about them presenting their reveal without including the air con vents. The judges thought it was a bit arrogant to leave them out while everyone else was wrestling to make theirs work.

They all had issues with the execution of the feature wall which was badly painted and didn’t all match up.

Shaynna said it was so heavily masculine that there was very little that would instantly appeal to a female buyer. Neale said he really like the girls’ ideas but I do want them to spend more time thinking about functionality.

They loved the walk-in but agreed it felt half the size of the others.

Our pick to buy: Timber bedside tables by Ingrain Designs

So, what did you think this week? Were you as underwhelmed and irritated as me or is it my pregnancy hormones?!

Last week’s master en suites | The guest bedrooms | The main bathrooms | All our Block coverage

Tags darren palmer, Hayden and Sara, judges, judging, master bedrooms, neale whitaker, room reveals, shaynna blaze, the block, The Block 2018, wardrobes

Bedrooms The Block

The Block 2018: guest bedroom room reveals

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 20, 2018
No Comments on The Block 2018: guest bedroom room reveals

It was a mixed bag last night! I started off feeling a bit “meh” about all these guest bedrooms. Let’s face it; they’re not always the most exciting rooms or best showcases of what a couple can do. They felt a bit formulaic: fancy upholstered bedhead, feature armchair, lots of cushions. You know what I’m saying! But there were a couple I really loved which turned it around for me, and they were Bianca and Carla’s and Norm and Jess’s. Here’s what the judges had to say, what I thought, and what I’d buy…

I was so glad Bianca and Carla won, not just because I thought their room was the best, but because I (and at least half the country!) thought their bathroom should have won last week too! And I love how surprised and humble they were!

Bianca and Carla: 1st place, 26/30

Darren loved that they’d used timber panelling again. “That’s awesome.” Shaynna also said she loved the roof. Neale had one word: hallelujah! “Somebody has given us a room, finally, that feels modern, luxurious, glamorous and absolutely on brief,” he added.

Shyanna said the bedsides were her new favourites ever. Darren noticed they were both floating and underlit. How cool was that?!

Neale agreed it was “next level”.

Shaynna was first to notice the bad paint job though. Whoops!

They all said the walk-in was beautiful. Shaynna was in storage heaven and Neale said it felt luxurious and and bespoke. Darren said the materiality was “just so good“.

Our pick to buy: Bedside tables by our friends at Ingrain Designs (they can do no wrong!), Lincoln bedhead by another fave, Heatherly Design Bedheads (we have the same design in our new master which we’ll get round to finishing and revealing one of these days!), and Lamp de Marseille wall lights.

Courtney and Hans: 2nd place, 25/30

Neale loved the “absolutely beautiful and sophisticated palette.” Shaynna loved how they made the bed and thought they picked an amazing chair. The lack of styling on the side table didn’t go unnoticed though!

The judges loved the choice of laminate wardrobe colour and texture. Darren said the room diden’t feel at all claustrophobic. Neale’s only criticism was for the lights. He would have preferred lamps or sconces, not too-heavy pendants. Darren liked how they tied in with the other black in the room however.

On the downside, the paintwork on the ceiling was woeful. Neale said it was well on its way to being lovely but was undercooked. Darren suggested they should sheer curtain the whole window wall. Agreed!

Our pick to buy: Halo wingback chair by Space to Create, Vintage rose linen by west elm and brass crab by Mr Pinchy (I have this at home in all three sizes!).

Norm and Jess: 3rd place, 24.5/30

This would have been my second place.

Darren said: “Lush! Oh my God! This is hot! Somebody paid attention!”

Neale said “suddenly the luxe factor has shot up”.

Darren said there was lots of colour, lots of texture, but it wasn’t overwhelming. “Can you tell I love it?!”

Shaynna said she always loves bedheads that go past the edges of the bed and behind the bedsides (thanks Shyanna, we have one of those!). “It’s absolutely gorgeous and works really well.” She loved the sconces but thought the room would probably be a bit dark. And the powerpoint was in the wrong place. Darren was NOT impressed they’d tried to cover that mistake up!

They all thought the wardrobe was amazing, Darren loved the the panelled profile and the handles. The drapery was very well executed and while the study area joinery was well designed, the styling was a letdown.

Big picture? “The room is very good and they deserve to be in the penthouse but they must pay more attention to functionality.”

Our pick to buy: Brass wall lights from Beacon Lighting, THAT bedhead (of course) from Heatherly Design and Landry bench seat from west elm.

Kerrie and Spence: 3rd place, 23/30

The judges loved the library (so did I!), with Darren saying he was a “giant big fan” but Neale said the actual bedroom part felt a little claustrophobic. And it did!

Darren was annoyed they didn’t listen to their advice not to use a bedhead in an already cramped space. To make it worse, the bedhead overlapped the switches either side.

Shaynna loved the colour palette though and Darren said the styling was far more sophisticated than they’d shown before. Neale said it was nice. He didn’t dislike it but nothing was wowing him. They needed a little little bit more warmth, spirit and soul.

The storage however, was excellent.

Our pick to buy: Audrey bedside from west elm (I have the navy version in my master and they’re divine. Also have the dresser and cot from this range in our new baby room).

Hayden and Sara: Last place (second week in a row), 22.5/30

Shaynna said the recessed ceiling was the hero and they’d done a beautiful job with that. Darren praised the skirting, architraves, ceiling and cornicing, saying they were all beautiful. Shaynna added the execution was incredible.

It was all going so well…

Seems the furniture and styling really let the room down. Neale said it felt flat. “It feels like a room in a boutique hotel ready to be renovated. It’s boring and predictable. In paring back, they’ve thrown the baby out with the bathwater. What’s left is pretty soulless.”

It got worse. He compared the feature wall to the eighties rag-rolling paint technique. Shaynna said the shimmery velvet bedhead was fighting with it and that it felt like a display home. And not a high end one! Ouch!

I have to agree, although I’d perhaps be a little kinder. It just didn’t work! I particularly hated that feature wall and ‘matching’ bedhead combo. What were they thinking? Where was the contrast?

Shaynna said the bedsides didn’t match the size of the lights. “It’s top heavy.” Darren said they should have put the feet on the bed. Neale said it felt as if the bed had collapsed.

I had to agree that nothing in the study area made an impact. It was all just floating there, with the chair far too heavy for the desk.

Sara was NOT happy with that feedback! I foresee a lot of complaining and upset ahead.

The judges all seemed to agree that the walk in robe was probably the best bit. But Shaynna and Neale said they needed to style it at least a a bit to tell a story to potential buyers.

Our pick to buy: Brass gallery frames from west elm.

All this year’s wardrobes are by Kinsman, who also supplied the kitchens for House Rules recently.

Love to know who YOU think should have won?

Last week’s bathroom reveals

All our Block coverage

Tags Bianca and Carla, darren palmer, guest bedroom, judges, judging, neale whitaker, room reveal, shaynna blaze, the block, The Block 2018, the Gatwick

RENO ADDICT The Block

The Block 2018: judge Darren Palmer spills the beans

Post author By Phoebe Bates
Post date August 2, 2018
1 Comment on The Block 2018: judge Darren Palmer spills the beans

Leading Australian interior designer and The Block judge Darren Palmer will be back on our screens on Sunday as the new season of the show kicks off on Nine. Season 14 will see five teams transform one derelict boarding house into luxury apartments – and Darren thinks it will be the best one yet!

Our three favourite judges, Neale, Shaynna and Darren are back for The Block 2018.

The Block 2018 has been filming at the old Gatwick Hotel – a 1950s building in St Kilda, Melbourne which has had a bit of a shady past. The derelict 66-room boarding house has been dubbed a ‘flea pit’ and has even been avoided by some homeless people. In the past, the Gatwick has gotten the name ‘The Ghetto’, ‘Hotel Hell’ and ‘Hotel of Horrors’.

“This is the single biggest building project The Block has ever carried out,” says Darren. “To put it in context, the very first Block’s building footprint would fit inside one of this season’s apartments.”

The Block’s producers were approached by The Gatwick’s owners to buy the dilapidated building way back in 2016. Given its prime beach-front location and the love The Block crew have for a challenge, it was a no-brainer for the team, who jumped at the chance. Channel Nine bought the decrepit property in 2017 for $10 million.

“It was a grand dame of Art Deco architecture,” explains Darren. “It used to have a ballroom and was quite a luxurious hotel when it was built. As time wore it down, its clientele changed, and it became a halfway house of sorts for people struggling or trying to get back on their feet.”

An artist’s impression submitted with plans to redevelop the site. Image: Brenchley Architects

This year will mark Darren’s ninth season as a permanent judge on The Block and he confesses that one of the things he loves most about the show is how it reinvigorates and gives new life to forgotten buildings. His least favourite part of judging? The misconceptions and rumours about the judging process…

“I recently had someone tell me on social media that they were frustrated because the producers rigged an outcome in last season. That’s just not true,” he explains. “We go into detail on every decision and share lots of information, but the show has constraints on what they’re able to show due to the time they have to tell the story.

“I can guarantee you that the producers never give us information on what happened in the week. They never tell us what to say, think or feel.”

While the self-proclaimed “Mr Nice Guy” judge aims to be as compassionate as possible while judging the contestants’ work, he admits that there’s no way to sugar coat a bad room.

“The best thing for my judging is when I’m doing or have just done my own home renos as it makes me that bit more understanding,” says Darren. “Thankfully for these contestants, I’d done a little work around my house late last year so that memory was fresh!”

The new Blockheads include pro netballer besties Bianca and Carla and reno rookies Courtney and Hans. Then there are the couples with some building experience: Queenslanders Norm and Jess, Kerri and Spence from the Barossa (who had their build on Grand Designs Australia) and outspoken Sara and her partner Hayden, a former Bisley catalogue model.

More than 45,000 couples applied to be on The Block this season (that’s over 90,000 people) all for the chance to walk away with $100,000 prize money and any profit made when their apartments go under the hammer at a live public auction later this year.

“The Block is a once in a lifetime opportunity for people to use their skills to change their circumstances for life. That’s why we see so many people with little kids entering,” says Darren. “The toll it would take being away from your small kids is huge, so they are obviously gambling on there being a big financial payoff at the end, but as we’ve all seen, that’s not a guarantee.”

Indeed, given that the market is now cooling off, who knows how sale day will finish up this season or what bombshells the producers will drop on the contestants.

“There are two apartments that literally don’t exist when the show starts. We have proper penthouses this season and we’ve never had that before, and of course, there are always surprises, challenges and curve balls being thrown left, right and centre.”

The Block premieres on Nine this Sunday, 5 August, at 7pm

You can look forward to our usual room reveal posts on Mondays!

Tags darren palmer, home renovating, meet darren palmer, renovating, the block, The Block 2018, the gatwick hotel