The much-anticipated 2025 season finale of “The Block” unfolded on Sunday, capturing viewers’ attention as all five properties in Daylesford, Victoria, were auctioned off. However, it wasn’t only the homes that garnered attention.
Julian Cress, the executive producer, made a discreet yet fashionable appearance on Auction Day. He blended in seamlessly, sporting a rider’s hat, dark sunglasses, a scarf, and a sleek black vest.
Cress was seen mingling effortlessly with bidders, his charm palpable as photographers captured his every move.
The glamour of the rural Victorian setting was elevated when one bidder arrived in a striking Aston Martin sports car valued at $450,000, adding a touch of James Bond sophistication to the event.
Other bidders also made impressive entrances, arriving in a collection of luxury vehicles. Among them were a vibrant fire-red Ferrari and a stylish blue BMW Coupe, each worth several hundred thousand dollars, adding to the spectacle of the finale.
Meanwhile, other bidders were seen arriving in a variety of breathtaking luxury sports cars, including a fire-red Ferrari worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and a dashing blue BMW Coupe.
The Block Executive producer Julian Cress (right) made a low-key yet stylish entrance, going incognito under a rider’s hat, dark sunglasses, a scarf and a sleek black vest
He was spotted happily chatting with bidders throughout the day, exuding effortless charm as cameras snapped from every angle
It was a big day, as all five teams put their homes on the market, hoping to walk away with a tidy profit.
There were fears of an auction disaster in the lead-up to the big day, with the eye-watering price guides on the Daylesford homes raising some eyebrows.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the teams behind the five properties were hoping to fetch $3 million to $3.3 million for their creations.
However, the insanely high price guide doesn’t match up with the median house prices in the Victorian town, where homes are four times cheaper.
According to PropTrack data recorded in July, an average home in Daylesford costs around $820,000, which marks a decrease of 7.1 per cent compared to the year prior.
The price guides are quadruple the median home price, meaning there was real doubt many would sell at all or break local records.
‘As far as I’m aware, there’s only ever been one home within the township of Daylesford that ever sold for $3 million or above,’ Kim McQueen, director of McQueen Real Estate, revealed to realestate.com.au.
The agent, who is selling Robby and Mat’s house, didn’t seem too optimistic about bidders rolling in on auction day.
Meanwhile, other bidders were seen arriving in a variety of breathtaking luxury sports cars, including a fire-red Ferrari and a dashing blue BMW Coupe
Adding to the glamour of the rural Victorian auction, a bidder made a jaw-dropping entrance in a $450,000 Aston Martin green sports car
One bidder was seen exiting a stunning fire-red Ferrari worth hundreds of thousands of dollars
‘There are very few buyers at the best of times with $3 million or more to spend on a property in any regional location,’ she shared.
‘Now we’ve got five houses in a row with a $3 million-plus price range on them – that is not going to be easy.’
There was also a fair bit of chatter, in the lead-up to the auction, about whether serial Block bidder Adrian Portelli would put in an appearance at Daylesford.
Back in July, host Scott Cam sent a blunt warning to Portelli ahead of the season premiere.
Appearing on Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie, Cam begged Portelli not to attend this year’s auction to give others a chance to own a home.
‘To be honest we said to Adrian “we’d love you not to come next year, if that’s all right.” But you know it’s up to him it’s a public auction and he can do whatever he wants,’ he revealed.
‘He said he won’t come but he may come. We don’t know, but we do want to give mums and dads the opportunity to have a crack at a Block house.’
‘If Adrian comes and wants to buy the lot of them, well, that rules them out,’ Scott said.
During the 2024 finale of The Block, Adrian made history by purchasing all five of the properties for a huge $15 million.
He ensured Maddy and Charlotte Harry became the youngest-ever winners when he bought their home for $3.5 million.
