Australia’s premier renovation reality show, THE BLOCK, is all set to return for its 19th season at 7:00 pm on August 6, airing on Nine and 9Now.
This year, the show brings a fresh challenge to its contestants, transporting them to the family-friendly suburb of Hampton East, Melbourne, where five aging houses from the 1950s, located on the aptly named Charming Street, await a contemporary facelift.
In a first for the show’s history, host Scott Cam is set to share the complete renovation schedule with contestants on the inaugural day. Additionally, in another unprecedented move, contestants will receive their entire budgets and view all finished designs of the houses on Day 1.
However, contestants will quickly realise that renovating these original 1950s homes will be far from an easy feat. Structural issues, severe weather conditions, and a significant amount of demolition work are poised to test the mettle of the five couples from across the country.
Veteran judges Shaynna Blaze, Darren Palmer, and Neale Whitaker are set to return, with guest judge and real estate expert Marty Fox joining the lineup. Fox brings a wealth of experience to the panel, having previously sold two houses on THE BLOCK in 2020 and 2022.
They will accompany the indomitable duo, foremen Keith Schleiger and Dan Reilly, on the site. The innovative designs for this year’s homes come courtesy of Julian Brenchley, THE BLOCK’s resident architect.
As the contestants gear up to undertake the significant task of transforming these charming, yet challenging homes, a hefty prize of $100,000 awaits the team that garners the most profit at the auction at season’s end.
Despite two decades in the business, executive producer Julian Cress, who co-created the show with David Barbour, remains as passionate as ever. In his words,
“We all still love making the show, and no two series of THE BLOCK are ever the same, as these five new teams will truly prove this year!”
The fresh roster of contestants vying for the title comprises five distinctively vibrant couples, each bringing a unique blend of experiences, skill sets, and design preferences.
From the heart of Sydney, we meet the youngest couple, Steph and Gian. Married just a year ago, their love story that blossomed from school bus companions to life partners, offers an emotionally engaging backdrop to their renovation journey.
Beyond their personal charm, Steph and Gian are not novices to the home renovation scene. Having recently overhauled their Sydney residence, they fell head over heels for the process, eventually inspiring them to take up the challenge of The Block.
Steph’s background in architecture combined with her family’s deep roots in construction gives them a clear edge in the competition.
Gian, a tech start-up worker, is set to offer his problem-solving prowess and a reputed knack for budgeting, honed from his experience in the finance sector.
The design aesthetic the couple intends to bring to the competition is Japandi, a harmonious fusion of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality, reflecting Steph’s specialisation in residential architecture.
Then there’s the striking pair of sisters from Melbourne, Elisa and Liberty, offering a refreshingly different profile with zero renovation experience.
Both in their mid-thirties, they’ve lived through the same routines every day and are craving a shift from the norm. The Block, for them, presents an exciting opportunity to challenge themselves and step out of their comfort zones. Eliza, with a background in the entertainment industry and radio production, coupled with her advocacy for mental health, offers a resilient personality bound to resonate with viewers.
Liberty, a fitness enthusiast who has previously worked with the Richmond Football Club and now an advertising company, promises to inject her disciplined and energetic approach to the show.
The third duo, Leah and Ash, a married couple from Brisbane, also bring their fair share of renovation experience to the table.
They’ve been navigating their way through the renovation of a dilapidated Queenslander while simultaneously running their new building company and parenting three young children.
Leah, a first aid trainer with a penchant for design, aspires to construct a house with a modern art deco feel. Her assertive nature coupled with a generous heart adds an intriguing dimension to their team dynamics.
Ash, with a sales background and a dream fulfilled of owning a building company, presents himself as a “bloke’s bloke” and is eager to put his builder/carpenter skills to work on The Block.
Next, we meet Kyle and Leslie, a resilient couple from Perth who’ve fought their way onto The Block after five attempts. Their personal journey includes raising two children, one of whom, Archer, was diagnosed with Autism.
Their determination is evident in their past endeavours too, having built their house in the Perth suburb of Caversham.
Leslie, an educational assistant and an immigrant from Zimbabwe, brings a rich cultural perspective, her effervescent personality, and her ambitious dream of becoming a teacher.
Kyle, a firefighter with a love for sports, looks forward to applying his methodical approach honed from his dream job.
Finally, we have Kristy and Brett, a ten-year-strong couple from Adelaide who are poised to inject some drama into The Block this year. Known for their structured lives and straightforward opinions, they’re fascinated by the unpredictability The Block promises.
With experience from a bathroom renovation and impressive planning skills from their successful careers in the power and energy sector, they’re equipped for the challenge.
Kristy, a project manager, is fiercely competitive and eager to get hands-on with the renovation, hoping to craft a home that encapsulates both Victorian and modern contemporary features.
Brett, a safety advisor with a hidden history of working as a tiler, is all set to surprise viewers with his concealed skill set.
The contestants, with their unique backgrounds, exciting skill sets, and diverse design preferences, are ready to create remarkable transformations on Charming Street.
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