Forget The Gatwick: New location for The Block revealed

EXCLUSIVE: A $10 million parcel of prime residential property in one of Melbourne’s up-market enclaves looks set to be the location for this year’s series of The Block. SEE THE PICTURES.

EXCLUSIVE: A $10 million parcel of prime residential property in the up-market enclave of Elsternwick looks set to be the location for this year’s series of The Block.

While speculation has run rampant in recent months that rundown St Kilda flophouse The Gatwick Private Hotel was the prime target for the show’s producers, it has emerged that The Block team had a back up plan.

A huge vacant block in Elsternwick, not far from the historic Ripponlea homestead and Caulfield Grammar has quietly been snapped up.

The new site for The Block is believed to be in Elsternwick.

46 Regent Street in Elsternwick. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Vacant property at 46 Regent Street Elsternwick. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The property was purchased for $9.6 million in mid December by a company linked to Channel 9, with Nine CEO Hugh Marks listed as one of the directors.

The company has since had plans for a five lot subdivision approved this week by Glen Eira City Council.

Workmen moved on to the site on Friday with fencing erected and a bobcat used to start digging up the various blocks in preparation for foundation work.

Sources had previously indicated that the show was looking to do “something different’’ this year, and a from scratch project would certainly be a massive departure for the program which has traditionally overhauled run down homes and buildings.

The most recent season of The Block was an apartment block in Port Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

The Block has had success and disappointment for contestants at auction.

Interestingly several of the tradesmen on site were wearing fluoro vests branded with the name of a company that specialises in relocating homes.

The Block has previously worked renovation magic in Richmond, South Melbourne, South Yarra, Albert Park, Prahran and most recently Port Melbourne.

Filming is tipped to get underway on the new series late next month with the show typically airing from August.

The Gatwick meanwhile could still come into play as a location for future series of the show, should a sale go through, however as of Friday the property was still on the market with residents having been given four months to find alternative accommodation.

Channel 9 declined to comment when asked about The Block location for this year’s series and the Elsternwick land purchase.

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