After 51 episodes across 12 weeks, it was finally time for The Block auctions. The holiday home builds at Phillip Island kept viewers checking out the progress across the three months on Nine and 9Now.
Before the auctions got underway, the biggest show on Australian TV had to first share the reserve prices and then the auction order. Not everybody wanted their reserves revealed and there was plenty of debate before an auction order was finally agreed.
The final episode of the season got underway at 7pm on NIne, with the hammer falling on the final property auction at close to 9.30pm.
This year’s auctions for The Block culminated in a record-breaking day – with all five houses sold to one buyer and securing the highest total winnings in the 20-year history of the show.
The auctions kicked off with House 2, renovated by Courtney and Grant, and purchased by property investor and well-known figure on The Block, Adrian Portelli for $3.3 million. Their reserve was set at $1.95 million, earning the couple a $1.35 million profit.
Next in line was House 4, renovated by Kylie and Brad, which sold to Adrian for $2.6 million.
House 5, finished by Kristian and Mimi, had a $50,000 advantage for winning the final Clubhouse challenge, reducing their reserve to $1.9 million. They sold their house for $2.93 million to a buyer’s agent, later revealed as bidding for Adrian, resulting in a $1.03 million profit.
House 3, by Ricky and Haydn, went for $2.7 million, once again to Adrian.
Finally, House 1, renovated by Maddy and Charlotte, achieved the highest price of the day at $3.5 million, with a single knock-out bid from Adrian. With their reserve set at $1.95 million, Maddy and Charlotte walk away with an incredible $1.55 million profit, plus the $100,000 grand prize.
“We are just so grateful, and it’s a very surreal feeling,” said Maddy. “You can’t anticipate how something like The Block will end, but it is the perfect ending for us. I think there is such a special relationship with sisters, and I’m so proud of both of us and how hard we worked.”
Charlotte added, “To end The Block on such a high note is so special. We never thought it would go like this. I could not have had this experience with anyone else but Maddy. We have been in this from the beginning, so it’s an incredible feeling for both of us now.”
Maddy and Charlotte concluded: “This has been the experience of a lifetime. Winning this much money is life-changing for us. We can’t believe Adrian loved our house as much as we do!”
“It’s a fantastic result,” said host Scott Cam. “I’m so pleased for the girls to win it, and they deserve it. All of the houses have sold, and it’s a fantastic way to finish the 20th season of the show, with all five couples making some decent coin.”
Julian Cress, The Block’s Executive Producer, added: “I’m so excited for all of our contestants who have worked so hard and I’m incredibly proud of Maddy and Charlotte, our youngest team ever to appear on the show. They didn’t arrive until week 5 and they’ve taken out the win. It’s a great Block story, a fairytale ending and they are an inspiration to all young women.”
In a first for The Block, Adrian Portelli secured all five properties. Portelli stunned the crowd when he revealed, post-auction, that he had bought every home on the show, directly or through his buyer’s agent. Following the extraordinary reveal, Portelli then confirmed that he would not be returning next season, making this his grand finale on the show and added that he wanted to go out with a bang.
With a combined total of $5.43 million in winnings, this year’s contestants secured the highest amount in the history of The Block. Over its 20 seasons, the show has now awarded an incredible $39,627,139.63 in total winnings.
Phillip Island Block auctions on Saturday, November 9, 2024.
See also: TV’s ratings giant: How co-creator David Barbour makes The Block auctions sparkle
What happened last year? 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 and their pots of gold
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 & Oz, $1,686,666.66
Maddy and Charlotte take home $1.65m at Phillip Island Block auctions on Saturday, November 9, 2024.