The Block 2024 has promised to build a “tropical paradise” on the “idyllic” Phillip Island, just a few hours south of Melbourne.
But the reality paints a very different picture from the beach getaway promotions that Nine has launched this season, called Block Island, in recent months.
Daily Mail Australia was given access to the construction site on Thursday, expecting a “slice of heaven” but found only a cold and windy complex of terraced houses.
While the completed homes were modern and beautiful, albeit unfinished, the dreary climate and standard exteriors made for a mediocre first impression.
In the latest trailer, hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft crash-land at an isolated white sand shelter in the middle of an uncharted jungle.
However, this “pure paradise” is actually located right in the middle of an up-and-coming suburban area, surrounded by modern buildings designed according to a similar plan.
“The Australian dream goes tropical,” the trailer says, but the nearest beach is a 20-minute walk down the road at the end of a typical Australian cul-de-sac.
Phillip Island is also thousands of miles from anywhere remotely tropical: its winters are cold and its summer temperatures average around 20 degrees.
The Block: Island promised to build a “tropical paradise” on the “idyllic” Phillip Island, but the reality paints a different picture to the beach getaway promos Nine has released for the 2024 season in recent months. Pictured: Presenter Scott Cam
A sign outside the construction site reads ‘Island Cove Villa’ before a long driveway leads into the heart of the complex, surrounded on all sides by houses that look identical to each other.
Originally populated by nine abandoned cottages, the Nine team purchased the resort for $9.5 million in October last year after their preferred location in Daylesford fell through.
A team of five new contestants have combined the cottages to build four identical townhouses (a common design among residential property developers today), with only one of the houses featuring completely different architecture.
The chain has made a decent attempt at making the resort’s interior look tropical, with palm trees, rocks, and all-white gazebos.
While it paints a pretty picture, it doesn’t quite live up to the exotic island getaway the promotional materials were intended to portray.
The exteriors of the homes are pleasing to the eye, but they are also the latest in a long line of mass-produced architectural designs sold to the upper middle class.
The Daily Mail Australia was given access to the construction site on Thursday, expecting a “slice of heaven” but found a cold and windy complex of terraced houses.
While the completed homes were modern and beautiful, if unfinished, the dreary climate and ordinary exteriors made for a mediocre first impression.
Interior design is where their personalities begin to shine, but the influence of current style trends still manages to paint many of their rooms with the same brush.
The Block was forced to change plans for its special 20th anniversary season late last year when it failed to secure a venue in the Victorian town of Daylesford.
Delays in obtaining the necessary construction approvals forced production to move to Phillip Island.
The latest trailer shows hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft crash-landing at an isolated white sand shelter in the middle of an uncharted jungle.
However, this “pure paradise” is actually located right in the middle of an up-and-coming suburban area, surrounded by modern buildings designed according to a similar plan.
“The Australian dream goes tropical,” the trailer said, but the nearest beach is a 20-minute walk down the road at the end of a typical Australian cul-de-sac.
But executive producer Julian Cress recently confirmed that the 2025 series will now be set in Daylesford, thanks to a timely intervention by the Victorian Planning Minister.
Daylesford is located 114km northwest of Melbourne and its unique combination of natural beauty, historic charm and vibrant local culture provides a stunning backdrop ideal for the reality show.
The Block originally had its sights set on a prime plot of land owned by Hygge Property on the outskirts of Hepburn Shire, where it planned to build five luxury homes by the 2024 season.
The series has previously been filmed in a variety of popular urban and regional areas including St Kilda, South Yarra, Prahran and Gisborne South.
A sign outside the construction site reads ‘Island Cove Villa’ before a long driveway leads into the heart of the complex, surrounded on all sides by identical homes.
Originally populated by nine abandoned cottages, the Nine team purchased the resort for $9.5 million in October last year after their first location option in Daylesford fell through.
A team of five new contestants have combined the cottages to build four identical townhouses (a common design for residential property developers today), with only one house featuring completely different architecture.
This comes after co-creator and producer Julian confirmed that The Block, which premieres on Monday night, will take a dramatic turn when one of the five teams leaves the show midway through its run.
“We couldn’t go through the whole series with all five teams. We had to replace one of them along the way, which was a very dramatic moment,” Julian told TV Tonight.
It was previously revealed that Blue Team lovebirds Jesse and Paige abruptly left the show in the middle of filming, with Julian adding that there was a big reason why they did so.
“It was a very difficult decision for them, but there was a very powerful reason why they decided to do it. It is very, very dramatic and will be revealed in the coming weeks.”
Julian added that audiences will be in for a shock when they see the drama unfold on screen that led to the Blue Team retreating and abandoning their construction site.
The chain has made a decent attempt at making the resort’s interior look tropical with palm trees, rocks, and all-white gazebos.
While it paints a pretty picture, it doesn’t quite live up to the exotic island getaway it was made out to be in the promotional materials.
The exteriors of the houses are pleasing to the eye, but they are the latest in a long line of mass-produced architectural designs sold to the upper middle class.
“I’m not saying these people left out of laziness. They wanted to do it, but at some point it became a huge challenge,” he said.
“The reasons why they left are very interesting. I think this will lead to an interesting conversation among the public.”
Fortunately, producers managed to recruit sisters Maddy and Charlotte to replace the Blue Team in short order, ensuring that five couples will make it to the final.
The Block: Island will premiere on Monday night at 7.30pm on Nine and 9Now.
