The Block 2026 To Feature Contestants Renovating Shitbox Studios In A Bid To Be More Relatable To The Average Aussie

EFFIE BATEMAN | Lifestyle | Contact

Channel Nine producers have announced that the next season will see contestants battling it out to renovate crumbling studio apartments  in a bid to appear more relatable to the average Aussie.

Last night’s Block finale caused widespread furore among fans, who argued that the reserve prices set for the houses were outrageously high.

The five Daylesford properties carried reserve prices between $2.94 and $2.99 million, resulting two couples (Emma and Ben, and Han and Can) failing to make any profit.

The winners, Britt and Taz, made $420,000, as well as the $100,000 prize money, with runners up Sonny and Alicia making $120,000, and Robby and Mat netting  $109,000.01.

The show has also copped ongoing criticism for its heavy reliance on property investor Adrian Portelli, who has splashed almost $32 million at Block auctions, including purchasing all five properties in last year’s season.

Portelli did not purchase any of the properties in last night’s finale.

As more young Australians watch their home ownership dreams slip away, many are finding The Block’s focus on multimillion-dollar renovations increasingly distasteful and out of touch.

However, The Advocate can confirm that next season will see five couples renovating dilapidated studio apartments in the same building, with rumours circulating the chosen site will either be an apartment complex in Frankston or Dandenong.

What’s more, the building is expected to have been constructed sometime between 2003 and 2018 – the golden era of cheaply built high-rises riddled with defects and questionable workmanship.

“Next season will be all about showing the reality of buying a property as a young couple in Australia,” said head producer Mimi Thoms.

“No more multimillion-dollar houses in fancy suburbs. It’s shitbox studio season.”

More to come.