It started with Jimmy and Tam in tears having been given the double-edged sword of getting to pick the Block 2020 auction order (putting themselves second) which set everyone else off! And it ended with their happy tears when they won, and they won big!
Photo: Nine
Let’s recap how it went. Scotty explained auctions were allowed on site but must be outside and only 10 people allowed, with a Zoom for any overflow.
First up were Luke and Jasmin, the carpenter and teacher from Perth with a reserve of $3.35m. It was a great start! They very quickly surpassed the reserve with bids in person and via Zoom, declaring they’d paid off their mortgage when they hit $440k profit. But it kept going. They sold for $3,856,000, meaning $506k to take home.
Second up were Brisbane plumber and barmaid Jimmy and Tam. But would choosing the order end up working out for them? They’ve said all along they were on The Block to get a better future for their daughter Frankie. I’ve loved how they stuck to the heritage brief all along with their 50s house, more than any of the others. They had a reserve of $3,290,000. A lot of jaws hit the floor with Danny Wallis’s opening bid of $4,200,000. I think Jimmy and Tam were almost having heart attacks as it kept going and their profit edged towards a million. It sold for $4,256,000 with a profit of a whopping $966k! It was the highest result ever in Block history and made Luke and Jasmin’s result look distinctly average! The successful female buyer said she fell in love with the house watching the show and loved what Jimmy and Tam did with it.
How do you follow that?! Sarah and George, the teacher and sparky from NSW, were up third. It took this couple a while to find their stride but they got there! Danny Wallis, no stranger to the show, started the bidding high again at $4million, and Sarah burst into tears. It sold for $4,000,002. $650k profit for the couple; enough to start their family mortgage-free. Woohoo! Danny bought Mitch and Mark’s house last year and another Block property back in 2012.
Fourth up, SA farmers Daniel and Jade, whose daughter has a rare disorder. They came on the show keen to make some money and take the financial stress off their family, meaning they could spend more quality time together. Their reserve was $3,340,000. It went for $3,800.000, with $460k profit. A little bit of an anticlimax, I have to say! But they were happy nonetheless and the money will no doubt make a big difference to their lives.
Unlucky last perhaps were father and daughter Harry and Tash, the proud Greek Cypriots from Melbourne. Their reserve was $3,350,000. Bidding was very quickly at $4m (from Danny of course, buying his third!) and a $650k profit. And that’s where it ended. And there was no disappointment but plenty of happy tears!
So Jimmy and Tam, the Queensland battlers, did it, taking the additional $100k for winning and adding it to their profit to make $1,000,066!
Did you watch? Were you surprised?!
The Block 2020: living/dining reveals
Finally, we got to see how the main open plan living/dining/kitchen spaces come together as a whole! There were mixed reviews from the judges last night but Harry and Tash…
There was a lot of rushing this week as the couples took on the massive task of what come called a “mini house”. While some of the garage/studios were very unfinished, others were impressive multi-functional spaces, adding no doubt huge value to this year’s Block homes. Here’s a recap of the judges’ comments and scores and our picks to buy.
Harry and Tash | 20/30LAST
The judges weren’t impressed with all the unfinished elements but once they got up the stairs, it did get a bit better. That said, Darren wasn’t sure a studio kitchen needed such a large island. He said the space would be better as a workspace. Shaynna wasn’t impressed with the bar fridge. Neale and Shaynna said there were a lot of blind spots in the lighting.
Then into the bathroom there were a lot of unfinished elements including the lack of shower screen! The judges although it was a badly planned space. “It’s a bit of a disaster frankly,” said Neale.
From one extreme to the other! Sarah and George were right to feel confident this week.
The judges loved the finish and the extra storage of the garage then up the stairs, the laundry. The bonuses just kept coming! A work space with proper desk, a wardrobe.
“Beautifully done,” said Neale. “They’ve ticked all the boxes in terms of how an owner can interact with the space,” said Darren. “I see a lot of flexibility here and it ticks so many boxes for me,” said Shaynna. Neale said a multifunctional space was more and more essential. “It’s real estate gold,” he added.
All this before they even saw the bathroom! “This is a crescendo,” said Shaynna. “I love it!” Darren said the tiling was exceptional.
The powder room made a great first impression. The judges said it was clever and perfect for the garage, the yard or the pool. But then it went downhill with the unfinished stairwell. But then got better again with the studio!
“A great looking room with a very nice kitchenette.” No cooktop though? Shaynna said the TV was too big and the room wasn’t as resolved as Harry and Tash’s. She said an office/bedroom would be more useful than a full bedroom. Darren noted there was no power near the desk and Neale said the office functionality was very underplayed. “It’s got about as much personality as the average serviced apartment,” Neale said. There was no emotional connection.
Shaynna wondered why they didn’t choose a cavity slider for the bathroom. They loved the vanity and tile choices and the skylight. “It feels tiny,” said Shaynna. Overall it’s a nice little bathroom completing a nice studio space. “Definitely a B+'” said the judges.
The round skylights and the artwork went a long way to distracting from the unfinished stairwell. The studio though, impressed the judges! “Lovely as this is, it is presented as just another bedroom,” said Neale. The lack of workspace was a real problem. Shaynna said they simply needed to style it a bit differently to suggest the ability to work from there.
They loved the bathroom with its fluted glass, timber and great tiles. “Stunning and so spacious,” Shaynna said.
Darren said it was the most consistent house from front to back. The lack of bathroom door was a problem though. Neale said it was clear they never saw it as anything more than a studio apartment. Most people wouldn’t be comfortable going to the toilet with no door, if anyone else was in there!
The only studio with a home gym, this really impressed the judges. “A lot of people will be working out from home now,” said Shaynna. Neale said an equal amount of buyers won’t be interested in it though.
When they got upstairs, Darren loved how the galley kitchen blended in with the functional workspace. And it had a dishwasher! No bed though, just a sofa bed. Which caused mixed feelings amongst the judges.
Darren loved the flexibility. Neale said jimmy and Tam always think outside the square.
The bathroom was neutral, calm and serene. They loved the vanity and tiles. Shaynna said it felt luxurious and beautiful.
Finally, we got to see how the main open plan living/dining/kitchen spaces come together as a whole! There were mixed reviews from the judges last night but Harry and Tash…
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Finally, we got to see how the main open plan living/dining/kitchen spaces come together as a whole! There were mixed reviews from the judges last night but Harry and Tash took out the win and I have to say, I think the judges chose well. Here’s the recap…
Harry and Tash | Winners | 28.5 /30
The judges couldn’t believe how big the space looked. Shaynna said the furniture positioning made it seem grand. Neale said he felt like he was walking in and seeing the work of a professional interior designer. “There’s a level of sophistication and cohesion in this room that blows me away.” Shaynna said the void was impressive.
Darren said the furniture choices and the spaces left empty made the best use of the dappled light. “I love this, I love it so much,” he said. Neale said: “It really creates a strong sense of itself.” The lighting bothered him though. There was nothing apart from downlights and this wouldn’t allow for any ambience in the evening.
They noticed the dodgy paintwork around the fireplace but otherwise it was perfect. “They should be proud,” Shaynna said.
Darren loved the wide fireplace with its statement brick and solid concrete. He wasn’t sure it felt beachy though. Shaynna liked it however. Neale said he loved the brick which gave it a sense of heritage and age. He felt the monochrome colour palette was starting to become overkill though, and a little cold and unwelcoming.
Neale was harping on about the lack of lamps again. And Shaynna said there wasn’t enough interest at eye level. She said she just wasn’t feeling it.
Darren said the dining table was too small for a house with a huge entertainer’s kitchen. He agreed it needed more emotional drawcards too.
Neale said they’d done a lot well but it needed more. “It’s a case of injecting a bit more warmth so that it feels like just that: a living space.”
Darren was in sultry, moody heaven! Shaynna said the curved wall took confidence and was stunning, especially with the lighting. Neale said they’d done it again after their impressive kitchen.
Darren thought the dining table was gorgeous and Shaynna went one further and said it was sexy! But still no lamps for poor Neale!
Shaynna said the rug needed to be the next size up and to have a bit of pile to it. Neale thought the styling was a little ordinary. And Darren noted there was zero art but it was one of very few spaces where it wouldn’t have benefited from it, so that was okay. Darren said this was the sort of space which would help sell a house.
Neale and Darren agreed it did feel like a beach house and it matched the kitchen. Darren said they’d used the palette, the materials and the curved profile really well. He said the perfect luxury beach home would look like just like this. Neale said it was a really appropriate continuation from the kitchen.
Shaynna thought the room worked well with the rest of the house and loved the timber on timber and the pendant light.
None of them could get over the fireplace shoved in the corner though. “It’s quite obvious it’s in the wrong spot,” said Shaynna. Darren said it was nonsensical and Neale said it would be very expensive to rectify. Neale said it was a dealbreaker and that a lot of people would walk in, see it in the wrong place and think it would be expensive to shift.
It wasn’t off to a good start with the judges all saying the living space felt too small. And the missing dining table of course! Neale said it felt incredibly compromised. Darren and Neale said in a family home with 4 or 5 bedrooms it was a real misjudgement not to include one. Shaynna asked “what were they thinking?!” Neale said it wasn’t adequate for a house of that size.
Shaynna said the armchairs looked like they were set up for camping and it really needed to be rectified. A modular would work better. Darren said the space between the kitchen and the sofa was wasted. Neale said it was very, very odd. “It doesn’t feel like I’m in a living room.” Darren said they hadn’t allocated the right amount of space for the lounge.
Darren suggested they bought an expensive curved modular from Jardan to fix it! Neale said it was a “complete fail”. Ouch!
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Last year’s flamboyant The Block contestants Mitch Edwards and Mark McKie, are back this week to share their thoughts on who has the best chance of winning the show come auction day.
The Block 2020 is now halfway through and hurtling toward the most unusual sales campaign and auction in its history.
As Melbourne begins to slowly emerge from Stage 4 lockdown, and the houses from The Block 2020 have begun their campaign for sale, advertised with price guides of $3.2m to $3.4m – these are big numbers. Reserve setting will be key as to whether contestants will earn any money from their hard work and efforts during such a strange season of The Block.
With five vastly different houses, the win could be anyone’s.
The auction order selection this year will have a different sense of drama about it. Giving one couple the power to choose the auction order is almost like giving them a blank cheque book (remember those?!) to decide how much each couple will win! For some this would be an enviable position, and for others it would be a hard burden to carry.
So far, it’s looking like Jimmy and Tam will be making that decision, but so much can change, it really is too early to tell. With the perfect scores for Luke and Jasmin (yes, even with a bathroom not connected to plumbing – we’re not sure either), they could easily be deciding the order. We will be extremely interested to see how couples position themselves to influence the decision makers as things get closer to D-Day.
As we write the favourites, according to the bookies, to take out the win are Jimmy and Tam followed by George and Sarah. The Block auctions throw up some unusual results, and history has shown this. Tess and Luke were unexpected winners of 2019, winning only two rooms from the judges with the lowest average score and the lowest cumulative score. In 2018 Hayden and Sara took out the win, with only one room win from the judges. It is so hard to tell!
When it comes to winning The Block, there is no formula, all we know is that in the auction room the judges’ opinions and scores are not indicative of what is the preferred property amongst buyers.
Turning our attention to the 2020 properties, these our views on the pros and cons of each house, heading into auction;
House 1 – Harry and Tash
While House 1 was the last to be ‘chosen’, being left for Harry and Tash to ‘select’, we think the location is the most preferred of all five houses. The floorplan and orientation of the house gives it a private sunny courtyard that none of the other houses can boast. While some of the styling and layout is concerning, they have the largest master suite on The Block, which is also an asset for buyers in this price range. All said, we think House 1 is in a good place to take out the win, which would be in keeping with Block history.
House 2 – George and Sarah
It’s been hard to get the overall picture of their house. Their first guest room, with the built-in study, now seems so sensible given how many of us are working from home! They have not really played with the overall floorplan and the aesthetic is neutral, which would have broad appeal, but so far there is nothing significant that makes this house stand above the rest.
House 3 – Daniel and Jade
Week 5 of The Block saw Daniel and Jade take a gamble by adding an extra bedroom to their floorplan. With a house already boasting four bedrooms, adding a fifth seems redundant, especially if they are small. However, if the fifth bedroom is easily transformed to a home office, they might just be onto something. For a buyer in this range, they might need two home offices, making this change to the floorplan attractive!
House 4 – Luke and Jasmin
Jasmin and Luke started slow, and in the last few weeks we have seen their competitive sides come through fast and strong…creating some drama along the way. They have created beautiful rooms that are not polarising and would sit well with many buyers who would be able to imagine themselves in this house. There seems to be a sense of calm in their design, and the house is back from the busy street corner.
House 5 – Jimmy and Tam
Throughout the season, Jimmy and Tam have been fan favourites and received great scores from the judges. History would therefore suggest this house will not win. Looking at their design aesthetic it is quite polarising, and we think they have reduced the appeal of their house to quite a specific buyer. This may reduce the number of buyers, and competition for their house. The corner block position is also not appealing, and this may reduce buyer demand.
Our pick for the win? Flip a coin! The Block is full of surprises!
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Harry and Tash | 23.5/30 LAST PLACE
It was initially all positive feedback from the judges for the Melbourne father and daughter. The judges thought the bedroom referenced the Art Deco period of the 1920s-inspired house. The Kinsman wardrobe was a hit, and the judges loved the artwork from Art Lovers.
The bathroom was also very well done, in particular the beautiful terrazzo tiles. However Darren was first to pick up a big mistake; the bathroom wall was out of plumb around 40mm and was crooked. A huge setback for Harry and Tash, they may have to pull the bathroom out and start again.
Sarah and George | 29/30 JOINT SECOND
The Western Sydney married couple have come back from the break in the build with a healthy new attitude. One of the first things the judges noticed was the stunning Grafico wallpaper mural in the bedroom, and the sheer size of the room.
There was so much storage with the Kinsman wardrobes, and we all know the judges love lots of storage. With huge ceilings, there wasn’t much wrong with the bedroom. In the bathroom they loved the tiles. One of the only criticisms was the position of the tap in the shower, but overall, a fantastic week for Sarah and George.
Daniel and Jade | 25.5/30 THIRD
The South Australians did something unique to the other couples this week on The Block; they had two bedrooms and a bathroom. It’s a move that will surely add to the value of their family friendly 1930s-inspired home. The judges loved that the bedrooms were designed for a boy and a girl. Shaynna loved Jade’s styling, something the hairdresser takes very seriously on The Block.
However as far as the bathroom goes, it wasn’t brilliant feedback. Jade loved her mint green basins From Nood Co, and Shaynna thought they was a great addition. But Darren in particular wasn’t a fan of much at all in the room. So while the bedrooms were nearly perfect, the bathroom was a let down for Daniel and Jade this week.
Luke and Jasmin | 30/30 FIRST
WOW. That’s probably the best word to describe the bedroom and bathroom that Luke and Jasmin delivered this week. Whimsical and gorgeous were two words thrown about while judging the bedroom, which was made for a child.
Stunning wallpaper, a hanging chair, and the bunk beds were a highlight. They also loved the small touches including the elephant and lion mounted on the wall. The bathroom was executed perfectly, including beautiful terrazzo and subway tiles. 30/30 for Luke and Jasmin, you can’t get much better than that.
Jimmy and Tam | 29/30 JOINT SECOND
The nature of the space in Jimmy and Tam’s upstairs bedroom would have been difficult to work with, but they nailed it. The bench work-from-home space overlooking the back yard was just perfect, according to the judges.
Once again the incredible Grafico wallpaper stood out. As for the bathroom, the bold choice of peach paint had a mixed reaction, with Shaynna calling it the Donald Trump of bathrooms. Everything else though was amazing. The big question is, will Jimmy and Tam’s build appeal to the Brighton buyer, as it is so specific? They are certainly taking the 1950s brief very seriously.
Well, I have to say, I was IMPRESSED by The Block contestants this week. Seriously impressed! There were high scores across the board and deservedly so! My personal favourite had to be Luke and Jasmin’s with its curved wall and reeded glass, joint first place with Jimmy and Tam (after the latter used their golden gnome bonus point to tie). But they were all pretty fab, weren’t they? And I love how different they were.
Joint second:Harry and Tash | 28.5/30
The tile choices were praised by the judges. They said the room was so much better and the opposite of their last bathroom, which was slammed.
Neale said it felt like a contemporary bathroom with definite references of the era. He said he wanted the basins for his own house! And Shaynna absolutely loved the bath, which couldn’t be more appropriate for the era!
None of them liked the wall sconce right above the tiles. And of course Darren noticed the shower glass being too short again!
They said the styling was superb; pared back and simple.
It was a tough week for the couple after Sarah’s grandmother passed away. But with the help of their trades, they rallied together to deliver a beautiful and spacious bathroom.
Neale said: “Just when you think it couldn’t get any better, wow!”
Darren said it was just as bloody good as nextdoor. “These tiles are so beautiful. It’s really impactful and also really calming.”
Shaynna said there were technically too many types of tiles but somehow it all blended beautifully. “When you’re confident, know the rules and break them.” She was worried the splash out from the shower could be too much though.
The judges struggled to find anything to fault. Neale said, after learning about their family tragedy on top of the pandemic, that it was incredible they had delivered what they had.
“I’d be proud if I owned this home; I’d be proud if I created this bathroom,” said Darren. “This is exceptional.”
Fish scale tiles on not one but three walls! It was a brave move.
Darren loved the entrance through the wardrobe into the en suite. Neale said the fish scale tiles were beautiful. “I never thought I’d see as much of it and love it!” Darren said they made perfect sense.
Shaynna loved the layout and the drainage. And she loved the subtle curves, such as the bath, contrasting the hard lines.
Darren thought the vanity could have been a lot bigger.
But the tiling was exceptional, and the paintwork was excellent, there was no sense of hurry and it was another fantastic bathroom.
That curved wall! Oh my! This was my favourite, even though it was hard to pick this week.
Shaynna and Darren both said “What?!” as they walked in. In a good way! Neale followed it up with “Wow!”
“It’s so elegant, I’m just blown away how beautiful it is,” said Darren.
“I would not have expected a black bath but I love it,” said Shaynna. Darren said it was the one contrast point that was needed.
Neale said it was exceptional. “They have give us a very, very modern bathroom but remained faithful to those period cues.” He rightly pointed out that one of the vanities was much too close to the shower screen though. And the toilet roll holder was not well placed either.
Minor faults in an otherwise perfect bathroom.
Darren said the execution and craftsmanship was amazing. “They’ve taken a big risk but it has paid off.”
Joint first: Jimmy and Tam | 28 +1 with gnome = 29/30
Darren noticed it didn’t have a bath tub because it was smaller. But Shaynna said she preferred a bigger walk-in robe. They’d need to ensure they had a bath in their next bathroom though.
Shaynna said the colour palette was divine. Darren said it was a clever move to match the vanity to the bed and bedside tables. “They’re interesting tiles but they’re not expensive. It’s clever.”
Neale said the sconces were a little disappointing. And Shaynna said the lighting wasn’t functional at all. But that aside, the bathroom was great.
“Jimmy and Tam know exactly how to build a space that makes your heart sing; makes you happy,” Shaynna said.
Neale said the woman in the Slim Aarons print would be very happy in this bathroom.
Overall, the judges said they felt privileged to have been at The Block that day. “I can’t remember seeing five such consistent bathrooms this early on in the compeitition,” Neale said. They agreed it was remarkable, especially considering the world was going into lockdown around them and they were away from their families.
Next week: a bedroom and a bathroom!
The Block 2020 master bedroom reveals
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The Block 2020 guest en suite reveals
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The Block 2020 first room reveals
Not only is The Block all about houses this season, they’re also period houses! And we’re onto the first room reveals already! That’s what we’re all here for, right?! It…
Not only is The Block all about houses this season, they’re also period houses! And we’re onto the first room reveals already! That’s what we’re all here for, right?! It was pretty good feedback from the judges last night for this early on in the competition. Although it remains to be seen how crucial sticking to the homes’ eras will be and I think this could get interesting!
Jimmy and Tam’s winning room in the 1950s house
Jimmy and Tam, with their high ceilings, skylights and palm tree wallpaper won, and Luke and Jasmin, who were slammed for not taking the heritage cues of their house at all and doing their own (contemporary) thing, came last.
Read on for more of what the couples did, what the judges thought and where you can buy our favourite picks.
THIRD: HARRY & TASH (1920s house) 24/30
The feedback was so good for the show’s first father-daughter team, it left Tash in happy tears of relief!
The judges loved (of course) the skylights and the sense of space. Shaynna loved the Venetian blinds saying they worked with the period, and the colour scheme.
Neale couldn’t believe it was the team who came last in last week’s challenge. He said it was a contemporary home with a nod to the twenties. “It feels like a very confident room. Those little touches give you a sense of period but feel very in keeping with today. To come through with something as accomplished as this is amazing.”
Darren said: “This colour palette his spot on trend, very 2020.” And all the hardware in the wardrobes said luxury. He said the painting was mostly very good and he loved the grey and white.
Shaynna didn’t like the carpet, saying it was more office than luxury, but that was about as far as the negatives went.
These two were brave in deciding to split their massive guest bedroom into a bedroom plus study which they hoped would give them an edge. But they were left deflated by the judges’ feedback.
Shaynna loved the colour palette but was disappointed at how they hadn’t worked with the beautiful period features, rather recreating their own idea. The execution though was “pretty good”. She wished they’d done a walk-in robe rather than use the space for a study. Neale found the study dull and bland.
Darren loved the ceiling rose, the door handles and the cabinetry, but hated walking straight into a corner. Moving the door would have made a big difference. He said the painting finish was very good and the finishes in the study were excellent. “As a luxury addition, I’m confident this adds value to the house.”
Neale acknowledged the 40s was a challenging period to represent. He said they’d done just enough. He didn’t like the lights but loved the wardrobes.
Darren was immediately wowed by the ceiling rose, the skirting and pendant light. Neale said it had a beautiful vintage feel but felt modern too. Shaynna was not happy with the shutters though as they weren’t Deco style at all.
The judges loved the use of green. Neale said the greys and greens in the bed linen were perfect. Darren noted there were no bedside tables, but loved the “delicious” wardrobe handles!
Execution wise, the paintwork was perfect. “How is this week one?” said Darren, with Neale adding that they’d set the bar very high.
This couple weren’t quiet about the fact they weren’t keeping to the period and that they preferred contemporary. Whoops! Because the judges immediately picked up on this and weren’t impressed!
They said it was a contemporary room with some generic heritage touches which was a shame. Shaynna said it was the least relevant room to its era they had seen. “This is the first house that shutters are truly relevant. What it doesn’t work with is Venetian plastering!”
Darren however said it was a fair interpretation. Shaynna argued it was a crying shame! And Neale said it was a very accomplished, glamorous, contemporary room.
Shaynna wouldn’t let up though, eventually talking Neale and Darren around to her way of thinking!
“The shutters, the wardrobe and the doors: tick, amazing, gorgeous!” Shaynna said. “The rest of it? Goodbye!”
Period-appropriate or not, we love that artwork, The Exception by Prudence De Marchi. Buy it from $290.
FIRST: JIMMY AND TAM (1950s house) 25.5/30
Of course the high ceilings and four skylights made a great first impression. “I’ve walked into this room with an evident, powerful, emotional attachment, Darren said.
Shaynna even did a little dance! “This one has got me by the heart strings. It feels so beautiful.” Darren said it was light, bright, cool and edgy.
They loved the secret door to the (future) en suite and said the execution was excellent.
“This is not what I thought this house was going to be but now I’m in here I absolutely bloody love it,” Neale said. But he also said he didn’t see much that was fifties.
And there ensued a debate about how fifties it was, or not! Wth Shaynna, unusually, sitting on the fence!
NEXT WEEK: The couples are facing their first bathrooms!
What did you think? Which was your favourite? Do you think the couples are sticking to the periods of their homes?
The Block starts on Sunday (finally!) with 5 houses from 5 decades.
After some Covid filming setbacks, The Block returns this Sunday for the 16th time. This season will take us on a new journey, from the beginning of the 20th century…
After some Covid filming setbacks, The Block returns this Sunday for the 16th time. This season will take us on a new journey, from the beginning of the 20th century up to the dawning of the rock ’n roll era. Five period homes from the 1910s, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s, all in a dire state, have been uprooted and transported to a 2761-square metre block of land in the heart of sunny and affluent Brighton in Melbourne. There they wait to be brought back to life by five eager new couples.
I’m excited!
This year’s Block is within walking distance of the beach and minutes from the world- famous Brighton Beach Boxes. “We always change our show up and make it fresh and I think this is a great way of doing that, by having houses themed according to different decades,” says host Scott Cam.
“I love that we are getting back to renovating family homes as well. People can watch The Block and see what the contestants are doing and get inspired to do it themselves.”
After overcoming all sorts of complex challenges in previous seasons, this year The Block encountered something that could never be planned for: a global pandemic. This will be the season that goes down in history as it captures the first ever shutdown of The Block, and the way the program was able to resume production in a world grappling with the upheaval of COVID-19.
“It was an incredibly tough decision, but I firmly believe it was the right thing to do,” says executive producer, Julian Cress. “At the time it was kind of heartbreaking, but we were able to get our contestants back to their kids and loved ones, which was the most important thing.”
Architect Julian Brenchleyhas designed the renovations, which maintain the five period houses and add new two-storey extensions at the rear. Each house now has at least four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a huge kitchen, dining and living area, plus a double garage with a studio and a pool!
“This time around we looked at preserving some of the period aspects of each house,” Julian says. “It’s been really interesting to explore five different renovations of five houses, because in the past they were all roughly the same design.”
Joining Scott again this season will be co-host Shelley Craft, site foremen Keith and Dan, and judges Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer.
The location – Brighton at a glance
Brighton is 12 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD.
Famous residents include Eric Bana, Shane Warne, Chris and Rebecca Judd and Brendan Fevola.
The median price for a four-bedroom house is $2.9 million.
The median price for a five-bedroom house is $3.68 million.
The last reported sale of a rare Brighton Beach Box was a remarkable $340,000 in 2019.
In affluent Brighton, 74% of residents own their own home while 26% rent.
The suburb is known for incredible churches and beautiful schools.
Bay Street is the centre of Brighton, with many cafés and the famous Palace Brighton cinema.
This year’s contestants
Harry and Tash (VIC)
The Block’s first ever father and daughter duo.
Harry (57, an IT manager) has renovation experience but he wouldn’t call himself an expert. He has renovated a bungalow as well as the family home. As for Tash, she loves a project and a good spreadsheet, but those things alone don’t build a house.
Family man Harry was born in Cyprus and moved to Australia when he was four. He lives with his wife Andrea (Tash’s mum) in the suburb next to Brighton. Harry hopes to have a home turf advantage as he knows the area and what the locals like.
Tash (32, works in social media and production management) is Harry’s eldest child. She lives with her partner Brad in the inner Melbourne suburb of Richmond works at a PR agency. Although she hasn’t had any experience on the tools, she won’t be letting that get in her way. “I am used to working with tight deadlines and ensuring the job gets done,” she says.
They are a very close pair. With strong Greek roots, they plan to show us how to laugh, argue and get the job done their way. One thing’s for sure, nothing will be boring. “We are here to have fun as well,” Harry says.
Sarah and George, NSW
These self-proclaimed “mad dogs” from western Sydney are unlike anyone we’ve seen on The Block before. Together for eight years and married for three, they have a relationship built on old-school values and new-school quirk. By just being themselves, these “westies” are ready to light up the competition.
George, 33, is an electrician, and they have renovated two homes together. Sarah, 27, a teacher, hopes the experience on The Block could lead her to a different career direction. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my job, but I am not the same person when I’m teaching. It’s just not the dream,” she says.
Sarah says the reason she is always positive, laughing and smiling is because of her one- of-a-kind husband, George. He has worked as an electrician in Sydney for 13 years. Sarah describes George as a very funny character, a bit of a nerd, and unlike anyone she has ever met. He plans to make his fellow Sydney westies proud by keeping his bling and his hair fade looking “fully sick” throughout his time on The Block.
They’ve had their struggles. An investment property they owned was trashed by tenants when they were newly married, leaving them devastated and forced to completely rebuild the inside of the house. But they feel it has perfectly prepared them for the hard work The Block is notorious for.
Daniel and Jade, SA
These hard-working farmers from 250 kilometres north of Adelaide have made four attempts to get on The Block. Now that they’ve finally made it, they are ready to grab The Block by the horns in the hope of changing the future for their family of three young kids.
Daniel completed his carpentry trade in his late teens and put the skills to good use on the family farm. Jade is a highly visual person, so when it comes to design she plans on making the executive decisions.
Being a farmer is everything to Daniel, 35, a true-blue Aussie man on the land who feels more at home on a tractor or working with animals than choosing cushions. He doesn’t understand why past contestants have ever complained about things, and he is ready to enter the build with a whole lot of confidence.
Jade, 34, works part-time as a hairdresser when she isn’t looking after the kids. Being on the farm is something that has taken her some getting used to, but with Daniel and the children by her side she has made herself feel right at home.
“Our life is going to work and supporting the kids. Being away from them is going to be a big test,” Jade says. The main reason the pair applied for The Block is daughter Isla. She is one of only eight children in the world identified with a rare chromosome disorder that affects her speech and physical ability. They say anything they can win and put towards helping her is worth going to be worth the hard work.
This couple, who own two farms in rural SA, have endured great hardship over the years. Their farms have been affected by drought since 2016, and just when they thought things couldn’t get any harder, last Christmas one farm was destroyed by a bushfire. They’re now close to million dollars in debt.
So Daniel and Jade hope The Block will turn their lives around, get them back on their feet, and maybe free up some of their time back in South Australia.
Luke and Jasmin, WA
This dynamic Perth duo, married with two young kids, are ready to school the other contestants on how to build the best house on The Block. Luke, 35 is a chippy and Jasmin, 36, is a teacher. They think they might have the perfect mix of skills to be the first West Australian couple to win The Block.
Luke owns a carpentry business that he started nine years ago but his CV also includes his other successful career – male modelling! “I used to do a lot of fashion stuff when I was younger,” says Luke, who was signed to the premium agency Chadwick Models. “But now it’s mainly commercial.” If he isn’t on the tools or looking after the kids, this Perth local can be caught catching waves.
Jasmin is a part-time kindergarten teacher who loves being able to educate and entertain children. Luke describes Jasmine as a hard-working, beautiful person and mother, saying he and the family would be lost without her.
This couple met 17 years ago in a local pub on a student night and have never looked back. They are currently renovating their own home as they raise their two kids, Lola, 4, and one-year-old Sonny. “It’s pretty much been baby, renovations, baby, toddler, and renovations,” Jasmine says.
Jimmy and Tam, QLD
These married battlers from Brisbane are ready to give The Block everything they’ve got. They’re ready to bowl over the competition to create a better life for their young daughter.
Jimmy, 33, is no stranger to a worksite and has been around plenty of renovations with his plumbing work. Whereas Tam doesn’t know what a spanner is. But one thing this couple have in spades is grit and determination.
Jimmy is a very experienced plumber. After working his way up in the trade, he now manages large plumbing jobs, but he hasn’t forgotten how to roll his sleeves up and get his hands dirty. He was previously a gym coach and that is where Tam came into his story.
The bar manager at her local bowlo, Tam, 31, says the club has been a major part of her life for as long as she can remember. She grew up there as her mum was a star player, and it was her first place of employment. She even got married to Jimmy at the bowlo!
A self-proclaimed op-shopaholic, Tam with her bright red hair is quite the fashionista and she’s not afraid to show it. She has always had her own unique sense of style and she will be bringing that to the suburb of Brighton as well as the renovation project.
They rent in Brisbane with their four-year-old daughter, Frankie. “We are doing this for Frankie. We want to try and win to set our family up,” Jimmy says. If they do win big on The Block this ambitious young couple plan to use the money to enter the property market, buy a place and turn their lives around.
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