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Report: The Block to revamp South Melbourne motel

The Block looks set to convert a six-storey derelict motel into luxurious apartments in South Melbourne.

2012-12-30_0024The Block will head back to South Melbourne following its Bondi “All-Stars” season, according to media reports today.

But this time it will convert a six-storey derelict motel into luxurious apartments, in what looks set to be its most ambitious renovation yet.

Fairfax Media has an unconfirmed report that Watercress productions has spent $6.71 million for the bizMotel at 142 Park Street. The four star motel closed its doors a few months ago.

It reports security fencing and scaffolding have already gone up around the building, with construction crews apparently stripping out the walls, fixtures, electrics and plumbing before they are handed over to the contestants.

Each floor is about 25 per cent larger than the average Australian home, and it’s looking increasingly likely that the series will feature more than its standard 4 couples.

But Nine isn’t confirming the speculation, nor even if the show will return to Melbourne. Producers are likely to be unhappy about the report, given prospective contestants can begin to research and plan their renovations. The Block has a history of neighbours objecting to their various projects, but so far has managed to achieve an outcome.

Nine has repeatedly stated there would be two seasons of The Block this year. The All Stars version, which will run in coming weeks, is a short run series of about 6 weeks.

Filming on the next series is expected to begin in late January.

7 Responses

  1. How hilarious! Many years ago I stayed at this bizHotel, it was great! Well to an extent if you just want a room and bathroom. The place came with free wifi, good for the time; free car parking with car park and easy access to Melbourne CBD via the trams and pretty, very nice surrounding area! This will be a great season seeing how many rooms will be converted to apartments… perhaps 6-7-8 rooms into one place… can’t remember how many were on each floor! This will be awesome.

  2. Surely they cant renovate this building one room at a time. Anyone in the building game is so frustrated at the piecemeal approach taken in previous series. If this is reality TV, that’s not how its done in reality.

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