The Gatwick in Melbourne’s St Kilda has been called an ‘eyesore’, a ‘blight’, even ‘a dump’ and now, it’s where The Block 2018 will be filmed.
Unsurprisingly given the use of such ‘colourful’ descriptors, The Gatwick, once used as a hotel and a boarding house, has something of a shady past.
The derelict 66-room boarding house has been dubbed a ‘flea pit’ and is even rumoured to have been avoided by most homeless people in the area before its Blockhead makeover.
Here’s what else we know about the 1950’s building.
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The Block renovation has been in the works since 2016
All the way back in 2016, The Block’s producers were approached by The Gatwick’s owners to buy the building.
Given the building’s prime beach-front location and the love The Block crew have for a challenge, it was a no brainier for the team who jumped at the chance. Channel Nine bought the decrepit property last year for an eye-watering $10 million.
“I knew it was a fantastic, iconic building, and I knew it had so much potential, so I was very excited when I heard The Gatwick would be our next project,” Scott Cam, who is returning to host the show for its 14th season, tells Nine.
How will the renovations work this year?
Five teams and one derelict boarding house – how will The Block renovations work this year?
“Over eleven weeks, and with a budget of $220,000, these teams will compete to totally transform five luxury apartment spaces, delivering a room a week for the judges’ assessment,” Nine explains.
“Although each apartment is configured completely differently this year, all five will feature a master suite,two guest bedrooms, second bathroom and additional WC, laundry, combined living/dining area, a deluxe kitchen, and for some, a massive outdoor space”
The stakes are massive this year, there is, of course, the $100,000 prize money AND the teams get to keep any profits made when their apartments go under the hammer at a live public auction at the end of the series.
Gatwick hotel murders
Between January and June 2016, The Herald Sun reports that more than 50 crimes were committed in the building – including rape, drug dealing, assault, theft and arson.
Four deaths have been linked to the notorious property, including a case in 2011 where a man was stabbed to death by an alcoholic.
Detective Sergeant Ed Logonder said: “There’s no hiding the fact that there’s been murders, violent assaults, there have been drug overdoses there.”
These hosts aren’t phased by the building’s past, instead focusing on its future.
“I love that we’ve been lucky enough to give this building a new lease on life. And if any building deserves it, it’s this one. With so much character and history, I know we are going to do it proud,” returning co-host Shelley Craft tells Nine.
“It’s so exciting for me knowing that we’re not just changing the building, but perhaps the neighbourhood as well.”
We can’t wait to see the faces of the new Blockheads as they walk through its doors on August 5th.
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