After 13 weeks of intense competition, renovations and drama, the most anticipated real estate showdown of the year – The Block auctions smashed the all-time sale record.
The highly regarded House 4 was first under the hammer, and NSW high school sweethearts Steph and Gian went on to be crowned The Block 2023 winners when Australian Financial Review Rich Lister Adrian Portelli paid $5,000,000 for it. With their reserve set at $3,350,000, Steph and Gian take home a record-breaking $1,750,000 – making $1,650,000 over reserve plus $100,000 in prizemoney.
Next up was House 5 for Eliza and Liberty, the sisters from Victoria. Their auction had three bidders going toe to toe, but Adrian Portelli snapped up his second house of the day for $4,300,000. With their reserve set at $3,250,000, the sisters won an extraordinary $1,050,000.
House 3’s auction was slow out the gate, with South Australian couple Kristy and Brett seeing it go for $3,035,000, just $65,000 over their reserve of $2,970,000.
Nabbing his third house of the day, Adrian Portelli easily picked up House 1 for $3,100,000, the one renovated by WA couple Kyle and Leslie. Their reserve was set at $2,970,000, meaning they walked away with $130,000.
However, The Block’s fifth and most eclectic property, House 2, was a heartbreaker. With their reserve also set at $2,970,000, Leah and Ash’s home failed to attract a bid above $2,900,000 and was passed in.
As of 9.00pm Sunday, November 5, Leah and Ash’s home is still open to purchase offers.
The Block 2023 winners Steph and Gian said: “It’s an incredible feeling. We are so overwhelmed right now and can’t believe it. It was such a surreal day, and to end on such a high like this after all the hard work is amazing. We are so grateful that Adrian Portelli saw something in our house which we love so much. This will change our lives.
“We have no idea what we are going to do with the money yet. It’s going to clear our debts in Sydney. It’s going to set us up for whatever the next stage is. It’s just unbelievable.”
HostScott Cam said: “It has been a rollercoaster of a day, with ups and downs. We had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. We had houses just above the reserves, one passed in, and then $1.65 million for Steph and Gian and over a million for Eliza and Liberty.
“I am very happy for Steph and Gian, I think they played the game beautifully and they deserve it. They stuck to their guns, they held their heads high, and they built a beautiful home.”
After watching the auctions unfold, The Block Executive Producer, Julian Cress, said: “For someone to make a million-dollar bid when the bidding is already at four million, it was an astonishing day.”
He praised the contestants, saying: “The ratings for the show say it all. It’s due to the contestants that the audience stuck by the show for 12 weeks and the ratings kept going up and up and up. It’s because of these people and the fact they were compelling to watch.
“I think Kristy and Brett are two of the best contestants we have had on the show and I feel terrible for them that they had to go through that, after just watching their neighbours make a million plus. For them to make $65,000 is pretty heartbreaking.”
After scooping up three houses, Adrian Portelli said: “I had a great day. It was an entertaining day to be part off. Life has changed so much since last year on The Block.
“I think with the three houses I bought, there is only a small percentage of Aussies who can afford something of this value. To be able to buy them and potentially give someone else a chance to win it in my promotion means a lot.”
Looking ahead to 2024, Julian Cress said: “It’s such a milestone to be able to say you are making a 20th season of a show. Scott and I and the whole crew are really excited to get into it.
“We think we have found the perfect location for an anniversary special in Phillip Island. It’s going to be an amazing 20th season of The Block.”
