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Get ready Blockheads: the new Block location is a far cry from every other season.

With the rumour-mill out it in full force in the last few months with odds-on guesses as to where the next season of the Block will be, it appears we may have our answer.

The Herald Sun are reporting that a $10 million block of land in the Melbourne suburb of Elsternwick looks set to be the location of this year’s series.

According to the paper, the property was purchased for $9.6 million at the end of last year. It’s believed it was snapped up by a company that has strong links to Channel 9 and where Nine CEO Hugh Marks listed as one of the directors.

If the series is to go ahead in the Elsternwick location, it will no doubt breathe a breath of fresh air into the long-running series that’s arguably due for change after 12 seasons. At this point, the property that has been purchased is a sizable but empty block of land.

In previous series, contestants renovated existing hotels or apartment blocks where the framework of the building was worked around.

46 Regent Street Elsternwick. Image via Google Maps.
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However, in this case, the Herald Sun report plans for a five lot subdivision has been approved, suggesting five renovating teams could soon be on their way to the suburb for filming.

Although not a hike from the CBD, Elsternwick is a unique location for the franchise to settle on, usually purchasing building sites in inner-city suburbs. In fact, the furthest suburb from the city The Block has so far filmed in is Prahran back in 2014, which in itself was a stone's throw from Melbourne's Chapel St.

Elsternwick sits a little further out from the bustle of inner-city Melbourne, approximately 9km from the CBD, with this particular location not far from the historic Ripponlea homestead.

The story comes just months after reports circulated that Channel 9 were close to closing a deal and purchasing the infamous Melbourne hotel the Gatwick. The Gatwick has long been considered one of Australia’s most dangerous boarding houses.

The walls of the hotel have witnessed four homicides in the past decade alone, with the 64-room building amassing a reputation over time for consistent reported drug abuse and violence. At the time it was believed the building was being sold with a hefty $15 million dollar price tag.

However, just last week the ABC reported the owners of the hotel said they were closing down due to pressure from politicians and police.

With assistance from St Kilda Community Housing, the 41 residents have four months to find new accommodation. It's unclear whether the Gatwick will be used for future series of The Block.