The Block’s new digs have a dark past.

The Channel 9 renovation show debuted it’s 11th season last night, with the show making much of the ugliness of the ‘Blocktagon’ – a derelict hotel in Melbourne’s South Yarra.

Definitely not seen on AirBnB. Via Channel 9

But the eight level, 34-roomed Hotel Saville has a past.

According to Property Observer, in 2002, a 30-year-old woman was violently raped in one of the rooms by a man who claimed he was a vampire.

The woman, known as Jenny, was found by hotel staff half conscious in the shower of her room, with blood bubbling from her mouth, blackened eyes, teeth marks on her thigh and bruising to her neck and jaw. Part of her tongue had also been ripped out.

The accused, Melbourne man Shane Chartres-Abbott, was later murdered in his driveway, right in the middle of his trial.

Chartres-Abbott allegedly told his victim that he was a 200-year-old vampire who drank blood to stay young.

Smile: this year’s The Block contestants. Via Channel 9

All this news was a past glossed over last night as this years contestants – including “The Larrakins”, “The Single Mums” and “The Go-Getters”- began their DIY dream.

Real estate agents have a duty to disclose murders, suicides and other material facts that may be off-putting to buyers, and the exact laws around these issues vary from state to state.

In NSW, agents that fail to tell prospective buyers about events that occurred in the property can be hit with fines, but in Victoria, where the hotel is located, agents only have to mention a crime has taken place if asked.

The property was purchased last year by Watercress Pty Ltd, the production company of Channel 9’s The Block for $6.25 million.

The Block’s Suzi and Vonni. Via Channel 9

The Herald-Sun Crime reporter, Liam Houlihan, wrote of the bizarre case in his book,  Once Upon a Time in Melbourne:

A Channel Nine spokesman told news.com.au the hotel’s horrific past had “no relevance”.

He also would not clarify if, or how the program intended to deal with the disclosure matter or if the couple renovating the floor where the room was located were aware of the incident.

Would you want to know if something had happened in your home?