Anyone who’s read my The Block tour of Melbourne post will know that I’m a shamefully big fan of the Channel 9 reno show The Block. And given The Block Triple Threat series just came to a heady conclusion, I’m now at a loss as to how to spend my Sunday nights. So I thought I’d use this time productively and go be one of those pesky neighbours gawking at the construction of the next series as it comes to life, which is conveniently again just up the road from my over-priced Prahran rental.
The next series of The Block juggeraught has just begun production at the old Hotel Saville site on Commercial Road, also in South Yarra. For any other nosy Nancys I’ll be sharing photos over the coming weeks as the next season’s build takes shape.
If you want a sneak peak before the next series of The Block goes to air, here you go…
The Block – Friday 13 November 2015 – the hammer has fallen… on this post
With the auction for this series not far away on 21 November, this is my final update to this post, so lots of Blockness to squeeze in…
Firstly, private buyers have been descending on the building like honey-craving bees. The producers are clearly rolling out the big guns to attract five cash-flinging buyers, including a very plush red carpet, not-so-burly security guards and hosting a lovely little soiree up on the top terrace on Monday night.
Although Andy doesn’t seem too stressed about the upcoming auction. Talking to him at a function last week he had a considerably calm ‘what will be, will be’ attitude. Seeing how genuine, kind and somewhat innocent he is in person you can’t help but feel sorry for him (and Whitney) with the social media trolling they’ve copped during the show.
Back to The Block. Having been stalking the build in the name of this blog post for longer than I care to admit (but if you spend half a day scrolling to the bottom of this post you can work it out), it’s interesting to see that the current episodes going to air at the moment were shot back in July, yet construction work has been running around the clock until now. Including today. Having breakfast at Mister Zen (The Block’s downstairs cafe), my avo smash eating was accompanied by the view of some very lovely sewer works; along with running into a The Block who’s who (including builder Aiden and producer Julian Cress).
So that’s it. The hammer has finally fallen on this photo gallery. Enjoy these final photos from The Block Blocktagon…
The Block – Tuesday 20 October 2015
Small change.
The Block – Friday 9 October 2015
A few months ago, The Block was a loud construction mess, today it’s a complete contrast with two lone construction workers standing guard. While the building is glaringly unfinished, it looks like things have come to a stand-still on the construction front, for now. In fact, there’s more action behind the coffee machine than the jackhammer, with on-site cafe Mister Zen now open to the public. Run by the brilliant team of nearby Piccolo (and coffee suppliers for The Block: Glasshouse season) your daily The Block perve now comes with a side of latte.
The Block: Blocktagon – Monday 14 September 2015
The Block: Blocktagon – Sunday 30 August 2015
The countdown is on! One week until this latest season of The Block goes to air and while we have 12+ weeks of made-for-TV building drama ahead of us, the finishing touches are clearly being applied to the Blocktagon apartment complex with filming nearly over. It was very quiet at the Commercial Road construction site today – I was secretly hoping it was judging day and I’d bump into Darren Palmer, forcing him into a conversation on the merits of seagrass wallpaper. Not today.
The Block: Blocktagon – Thursday 13 August 2015
The Block: Blocktagon build is coming along Usain Bolt fast. Contestants have been announced (there will be five pretty standard teams of two). With road closures and so much activity on the Commercial Road site now its been increasingly difficult to get any decent stalker shots of late. So I decided to up the paparazzo stakes and turn to the cover of night. I’m not too sure why I haven’t done this sooner as I was able to see SO MUCH more.
Feast all you like on some close ups of the new, on-site tradie-only cafe Mister Zen, which surely screams contestant challenge; the north-facing balconies, which look pretty much complete; the appearance of more pendant lights and orchids; the landscaped courtyard; and a truck-load of scaffolding.
The Block Hotel Saville – Wednesday 5 August 2015
The Block site was incredibly busy this morning, with construction workers scampering about, contestants being filmed and Dave Franklin’s truck parked out-front again. Surely they’re on the home stretch now. A couple of exterior brick walls have gone up since my last nosy – perhaps to create additional terrace space on the southern side…
There’s also been an update on the series name, now penciled in as The Block: Blocktagon.
The Block Hotel Saville – Thursday 23 July 2015
The Block Hotel Saville – Thursday 16 July 2015
The Block Hotel Saville – Friday 10 July 2015
Firstly, I must apologise that this latest photo update has been baking for a lot longer than normal. Having been struck down by the dreaded Melbourne winter flu the thought of walking to The Block site was about as appealing as having an ice bath. Anyway! There’s been much progress since my last visit, as the photos attest.
The amount of scaffolding has tripled and now practically stretches around the entire exterior of the building. Today there were at least half a dozen cranes in force and the exposed areas of the building revealed an army of fluro vest-wearing workpeople scampering around the site like busy worker bees.
Resident The Block landscaper Dave Franklin’s van was also parked out-front. Although given there isn’t a skerrick of plant-life in sight, presumedly they’re on-site for a pre-consultation. Also visiting The Block was Melbourne-based custom wall covering company Grafico (who’s previously appeared in a challenge on the Fans vs Favs season) – which team is planning on jazzing up their walls?
Also for those curious in the goings on of nearby 270 Punt Road, which was also purchased by The Block production company, Watercress Productions, as part of the Hotel Saville sale. There’s not much to tell, except that it resembles a trailer park. Obviously this is production HQ for the 11th season of the Channel 9 show.
The Block Hotel Saville – Monday 29 June 2015
I’ve been interstate for the past week, so when I popped my head around The Block this afternoon quite a bit has happened since my last visit.
New windows are being popped out as frequently as royal babies and more of the old motel balconies (on the southern side of the building) have been removed. Today the lift was heavily in use, crawling up and down the building like an overactive spider.
The entire first floor has also been ripped out and is in the middle of being rebuilt, but into what? It’s clearly not a contestant’s apartment. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
What is the plan for the first floor?
More new windows, less old balconies.
The Block Hotel Saville – Thursday 18 June 2015
The Block Hotel Saville – Friday 12 June 2015
The Block Hotel Saville – Monday 8 June 2015
All the north-facing balconies have been removed. To make way for terraces or voids, perhaps?
The Block Hotel Saville – Wednesday 3 June 2015
The Block Hotel Saville – Monday 25 May 2015
While not a lot visually has happened at The Block’s Commercial/Punt Road corner site, the power tools were definitely out in force this morning, with a clear buzz of progress in the air. Keith and the crew are also obviously wasting no time in disposing of the old motel windows/balcony doors and replacing these with new glass and frames.
As I was walking down a side street heading home, coming towards me were two pretty brunette contestants (I assume), possibly sisters, being trailed by a camera crew. As I passed, one of the production crew commented jokingly to one of the girls that, “you have him wrapped around your little finger.” I was going to turn around and keep following them, eavesdropping on their conversation, but felt that could have been slightly stalkerish. Who the cameraman was referring to will have to remain a mystery for now.
The Block Hotel Saville – Sunday 10 May 2015: demolition has begun
Can you take some more pics.
More pics will definitely be coming. Last time I checked (early last week) there hadn’t been much more progress. Stay tuned…
I just want to know what it is called.
When up you next go to The Block please ask these 2 questions;
1. What is the series called?
2. How are they going to decorate the facade?
Thanks
There’s not really anyone to ask when I’ve been – it’s much quieter than it looks on TV. I’m sure all will be revealed very soon!
When is the next update.
I plan on heading over to the site tomorrow 🙂
Next time you go over can you go to 270 Punt Road because The Block also owns that as well.