The Block 2020, Brighton: approved plans
The sixteenth season of reality TV show The Block has started.
In it, five renovation rescues – from each of the 1910s, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s – which were moved to 360-364 New Street, Brighton, over summer, will be modernised and extended by five contestant teams (see below) to become family sized homes.
All will sit on similar sized plots of just over 480 square metres – though the dwelling site coverage varies.
A right-of-way off Orchard St will provide rear access to each of the holdings, specifically double garages with upstairs self-contained studios and a pool.
Last year, when it was reported the producers had applied to move five older-style dwellings to 360-364 New St, a 1960s home was earmarked; this was instead late last year amended to allow for the century old Edwardian.
Upon completion agents are tipping the five completed homes will be worth $4-$5 million.
The winning team stands to grab $100,000 in prizemoney – like last year – plus whatever dollar value each house sells over an as-yet-unknown reserve.
In 2019 this totalled $730,000.
The Block Brighton site’s recent history
The TV show producers paid $14.96m (including GST) for the 2775 sqm Brighton site making way for The Block, last April.
That vendor acquired it from Lloyd Williams and his son Nick for $10.2m in 2015.
Both those owners had proposed townhouses.
The property previously traded for $5.78m in 2013, vacant, after operating as the Andrina Nursing Home.
Five facades, but the same design: The Block 2020 houses
Behind the facades, the producers have applied for similar floorplans.
The ground levels are designed with two front-facing bedrooms – including the master – and each with an ensuite.
Lot four (the 1940s house) will have a study off the second bedroom (story continues below).
All homes include an open plan east-facing living/dining and kitchen.
Upstairs, lot five (1920s) and four (1940s) have two bedrooms.
Lot three (1930s) has three bedrooms and a media room. Lots two (1910s) and one (1950s) are designed with two bedrooms and a media room.
Four dwellings will have backyards; the one which doesn’t – lot five (1920s) will instead have a larger front and (north facing) side garden, incorporating an established English Oak tree.
The producers applied 13 months ago to move different homes to the parcel (see image, bottom) – and extend these into three level dwellings. However an amended planning application was lodged late last year.
The contestants
This year’s contestants are working to first-time conditions given COVID-19 led social distancing and, in Melbourne, a second lock-down.
Production was temporarily shut down in March before new ways of renovating were introduced.
One major change viewers may notice is that contestants must shop online or by appointment off site.
This is also the first time a team will comprise a father and daughter – Harry, 57, who lives in the suburb next to Brighton, and Tash, 32, who three years ago moved out of the family home, to Richmond.
Sydney is represented by George, 33, an electrician, motorcyclist and Pokemon collector, and his partner Sarah, 27, a teacher – and also the series’ youngest player.
A 33 year old plumber, Jimmy and his partner, bar manager, Tam, 31, who have a four year old daughter, Frankie, are Queensland contestants.
Producers have selected a young rural couple to represent South Australia – Daniel, 35, a farmer, and Jade, 34, a hairdresser, have three kids, Lincoln, nine, Hayden, seven and Isla, six.
The Western Australian team have previously renovated a home: Luke, 35, a carpenter and former model and his partner, Jasmin, a part-time kindergarten teacher, have been together 17 years.
The pair have two kids, Lola, four and Sonny, one.
