The Block on Channel 9 – After 13 weeks of intense competition, renovations and drama, the most anticipated real estate showdown of the year – The Block auctions – yesterday smashed the all-time sale record.
The highly regarded House 4 was first under the hammer, and NSW high school sweethearts Steph and Gian went on to be crowned The Block 2023 winners when Australian Financial Review Rich Lister Adrian Portelli paid $5,000,000 for it. With their reserve set at $3,350,000, Steph and Gian take home a record-breaking $1,750,000 – making $1,650,000 over reserve plus $100,000 in prizemoney.
Next up was House 5 for Eliza and Liberty, the sisters from Victoria. Their auction had three bidders going toe to toe, but Adrian Portelli snapped up his second house of the day for $4,300,000. With their reserve set at $3,250,000, the sisters won an extraordinary $1,050,000.
House 3’s auction was slow out the gate, with South Australian couple Kristy and Brett seeing it go for $3,035,000, just $65,000 over their reserve of $2,970,000.
Nabbing his third house of the day, Adrian Portelli easily picked up House 1 for $3,100,000, the one renovated by WA couple Kyle and Leslie. Their reserve was set at $2,970,000, meaning they walked away with $130,000.
However, The Block’s fifth and most eclectic property, House 2, was a heartbreaker. With their reserve also set at $2,970,000, Leah and Ash’s home failed to attract a bid above $2,900,000 and was passed in.
As of 9.00pm Sunday, November 5, Leah and Ash’s home is still open to purchase offers.
The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian said:
“It’s an incredible feeling. We are so overwhelmed right now and can’t believe it. It was such a surreal day, and to end on such a high like this after all the hard work is amazing. We are so grateful that Adrian Portelli saw something in our house which we love so much. This will change our lives.
“We have no idea what we are going to do with the money yet. It’s going to clear our debts in Sydney. It’s going to set us up for whatever the next stage is. It’s just unbelievable.”
Host Scott Cam said:
“It has been a rollercoaster of a day, with ups and downs. We had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We had houses just above the reserves, one passed in, and then $1.65 million for Steph and Gian and over a million for Eliza and Liberty.
“I am very happy for Steph and Gian, I think they played the game beautifully and they deserve it. They stuck to their guns, they held their heads high, and they built a beautiful home.”
After watching the auctions unfold, The Block Executive Producer, Julian Cress, said:
“For someone to make a million-dollar bid when the bidding is already at four million, it was an astonishing day.”
He praised the contestants, saying:
“The ratings for the show say it all. It’s due to the contestants that the audience stuck by the show for 12 weeks and the ratings kept going up and up and up. It’s because of these people and the fact they were compelling to watch.
“I think Kristy and Brett are two of the best contestants we have had on the show and I feel terrible for them that they had to go through that, after just watching their neighbours make a million plus. For them to make $65,000 is pretty heartbreaking.”
After scooping up three houses, Adrian Portelli said: “I had a great day. It was an entertaining day to be part off. Life has changed so much since last year on The Block.
“I think with the three houses I bought, there is only a small percentage of Aussies who can afford something of this value. To be able to buy them and potentially give someone else a chance to win it in my promotion means a lot.”
Looking ahead to 2024, Julian Cress said: “It’s such a milestone to be able to say you are making a 20th season of a show. Scott and I and the whole crew are really excited to get into it.
“We think we have found the perfect location for an anniversary special in Phillip Island. It’s going to be an amazing 20th season of The Block.”
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, Australia’s richest reality program has awarded a grand total of $35,587,807.60 in winnings.
THE BLOCK 2023 – AUCTION RESULTS
| Order | House | Reserve | Sold for / highest bid | Profit |
| 1 | House 4 | $3.350 mil | $5.000 mil | $1,650,000 |
| 2 | House 5 | $3.250 mil | $4.300 mil | $1,050,000 |
| 3 | House 3 | $2.970 mil | $3.035 mil | $65,000 |
| 4 | House 1 | $2.970 mil | $3.100 mill | $130,000 |
| 5 | House 2 | $2.970 mil | PASSED IN |
PREVIOUS BLOCK WINNERS
2003 – BONDI – Adam & Fiona, $256,000
2004 – MANLY – Jamie & Andrew, $178,000
2010 – VAUCLUSE – John & Neisha, $305,000
2011 – RICHMOND – Polly & Waz, $115,000
2012 – SOUTH MELBOURNE – Brad & Lara, $606,000
2013 – ALL STARS (BONDI) – Phil & Amity, $395,000
2013 – SKY HIGH (SOUTH MELBOURNE) – Alisa & Lysandra, $395,000
2014 – FANS v FAVES (ALBERT PARK) – Steve & Chantelle, $736,000
2014 – GLASSHOUSE (PRAHRAN) – Shannon & Simon, $435,000
2015 – TRIPLE THREAT (SOUTH YARRA) – Darren & Deanne, $935,000
2015 – THE BLOCKTAGON (SOUTH YARRA) – Dean & Shay, $755,000
2016 – PORT MELBOURNE – Will & Karlie, $815,000
2017 – ELSTERNWICK – Josh & Elyse, $547,000
2018 – GATWICK (ST KILDA) – Hayden & Sara, $645,000
2019 – OSLO (ST KILDA) – Tess & Luke, $730,000
2020 – BRIGHTON – Jimmy & Tam, $1,066,000
2021 – FANS v FAVES (HAMPTON) – Mitch & Mark , $744,444
2022 – TREE CHANGE (GISBORNE) – Omar and Oz, $1,686,666.66
The Block on Nine and 9Now – Catch up on all the latest episodes on 9Now.
This recap has been used with permission from Channel 9
Special thanks to Lulu Wilkinson at Nine.
Link to 9Now HERE
Link to Lulu’s full recap including with extra video content and info HERE
The Block on Channel 9
About The Block
Get ready, Australia. The Block, the number one renovation reality program, returns for an incredible 19th season on Sunday, August 6, at 7.00pm on Channel 9 and 9Now.
Set in the family-friendly Melbourne suburb of Hampton East, the new series features five houses designed and built in the 1950s and located on the aptly named Charming Street. These grand old dames are now aged in their 70s and way overdue for a contemporary update.
For the first time in Block history, host Scott Cam will be providing contestants with the full renovation schedule ahead of time this season. So get your cameras out, Blockheads, it’s photo time.
Adding to the year of Block firsts and amping up the stakes at play during the 48-hour House Decider Challenge, contestants will be seeing all finished designs of the houses on Day 1. Who will prevail and get the house of their choice?
Not only will they get the schedule and designs up front, but in another first, they’ll receive their entire budgets as well.
However, the Blockheads will soon find out that it’s not all smooth sailing when renovating an original 1950s home – structural issues, extreme weather events, and a mountain of demolition will test our five keen couples every step of the way.
Plus, The Block’s state-versus-state rivalry will be amplified by the sheer closeness of the houses this year. Who knew being able to peak into your neighbours builds would cause such tension?
The couples in contention are: sisters Eliza and Liberty Paschke (personal assistant, 37, and integration producer, 34, VIC); parents Kyle and Leslie Cottone (firefighter, 36, and teaching aide, 34, WA); parents Leah and Ash Milton (first aid officer, 31, and builder, 36, QLD); married couple Kristy and Brett Beames (project manager, 34, and safety officer, 34, SA); and newlyweds Steph and Gian Ottavio (architect, 27, and start up worker, 27, NSW).
Real estate expert Marty Fox isn’t the only new addition to the lineup this season. The formidable foremen Keith Schleiger and Dan Reilly will be joined on site with the fan favourite from last year, Tom Calleja.
The nation fell in love with Tom and his wife Sarah-Jane because of their work ethic and relatable marital bickering, and he jumped at the chance to work with Scotty and come back as this year’s official Block plumber.
The designs of the amazing homes in this series again come from The Block’s resident architect, Julian Brenchley.
At stake is $100,000 for the overall winner of The Block, on top of any profit the five couples can all make on the critical auction day. Plus bragging rights for the winners’ state.
Since premiering on Channel 9 in 2003, Australia’s richest reality program has awarded a total of $32,592,807.65 in prizemoney.
The Block – on Channel 9 and 9Now
Media Release – Nine
TV Central Nine content HERE
