The Block 2026’s Mount Eliza homes have sparked a split between insiders who say the show has evolved and property experts warning the builds could miss what Mornington Peninsula buyers want. Picture: Supplied
The Block’s 2026 Mount Eliza season is facing a “red flag” warning from property insiders and experts who fear the multimillion-dollar homes have misread what Mornington Peninsula buyers want.
New renders obtained by News Corp Australia reveal a dramatic shift from the sleek all-white homes shown in Channel 9’s 2026 upfronts promo late last year, with the latest designs featuring darker cladding, timber-style finishes and stone features.
Construction images circulating on a fan Facebook page also appear to show darker external materials being installed at the Mount Eliza site, suggesting the finished homes could look substantially different to the early promo vision.
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One insider familiar with the project claimed the prestige builds risked looking like “a townhouse complex dressed up as prestige housing”.
“This could be one of the biggest misreads of a market The Block has ever made,” the insider said.
“They’ve completely missed what buyers actually want in Mount Eliza.
“This looks like Brighton has been dumped in Mount Eliza. They’re monoliths, not Peninsula homes.”
The latest Block 2026 renders show a darker, more textured design with timber-style finishes, stone features and heavier landscaping than the original white promo vision. Picture: Supplied
The Block 2026 homes were first teased at Nine’s late 2025 upfronts with a sleek all-white look before newer renders pointed to a major design shift. Picture: Nine
The insider told News Corp Australia Mount Eliza buyers will not compromise on land and that’s “exactly what’s been compromised here.”
“You can’t fix a bad product with a nice kitchen. That’s not how prestige property works.” the insider said.
“If these struggle on auction day, it’s not bad luck, it’s poor planning. This is where The Block risks losing credibility.
“This should have been a slam dunk, on paper this should theoretically work. Instead, it’s starting to look like a miss.”
The new backyard render points to a more landscaped, lifestyle-focused vision for The Block’s Mount Eliza homes. Picture: Supplied
Aerial images of The Block 2026 site have fuelled concerns from property experts. Picture: Facebook/Gregor Carr
M R Advocacy director and buyers’ agent Madeleine Roberts, who is based on the Mornington Peninsula, said the updated renders looked “nice”, but warned the way the homes appeared to sit on the land was a bigger issue for buyers.
“Looking at these aerial shots, the way these houses are next door to each other, that is not going to fit the buying pool of Mount Eliza,” Ms Roberts.
“Mount Eliza is renowned for larger sized blocks. It’s that very suburban-style feel.
“What we’re seeing here is almost more Melbourne-style, like touching.
The Block hosts Scott Cam and Shelley Craft will front the Mount Eliza season, which is already dividing insiders before the homes hit auction. Picture: Nine
A drone image circulating on a fan Facebook page appears to show darker external materials being installed at The Block’s Mount Eliza site. Picture: Facebook/Gregor Carr
“So that’s already going to, in my opinion, bring the pricing down.”
Ms Roberts said the density of the homes appeared to work against what buyers traditionally sought in Mount Eliza.
“Effectively, the way those are built in comparison with what we see in Mount Eliza, which is those more than 1500sq m blocks, you’re almost buying a townhouse at that point,” she said.
M R Advoacy director Madeleine Roberts warned The Block’s Mount Eliza homes could be a “red flag” for prestige buyers if the builds do not match what the local market wants. Picture: Supplied
“Even if the inside is nice, it’s not enough to save it. Not in this type of area, the type of properties that you can buy, and particularly for that location.
“It’s much more of a townhouse-style build now, what I’m looking at.”
Ms Roberts said the homes would be a “red flag” if she were advising a buyer.
The late 2025 Block promo showed a cleaner white design, but newer renders and construction images suggest the finished homes may take a very different direction. Picture: Nine
“I would be looking at so many other homes in Mount Eliza before I looked at one of those, unfortunately,” she said.
But a production insider defended the design direction, insisting the darker and more textured look was deliberate rather than a retreat from the original white promo.
“This is hands down the best Block we’ve ever delivered, not even close,” the production insider said.
“People think it’s a shift, it’s not, it’s an evolution. This is where high-end design is actually going.
“What you’re seeing is a move towards warmth, texture and real luxury. Buyers don’t want sterile anymore, they want homes that feel lived in.”
The production insider told NewsCorp Australia each year critics and fans question the homes each year
“The auction day comes around and the results speak for themselves, these will attract serious buyers. We’re talking a completely different calibre of product this year,” the production insider said.
Auction day will be the ultimate test for The Block 2026, with one insider confident the homes will reset expectations and others warning buyers may baulk. Picture: Supplied
“This is one of the most tightly held prestige markets in Victoria, and we’re delivering something high-end that doesn’t exist there yet.”
The production insider also rejected comparisons to townhouses, saying the homes had been designed to offer luxury without the burden of a major landholding.
“What people don’t understand is we’ve maximised the land in a way that gives buyers luxury without the maintenance of a huge block,” the insider said.
Scott Cam returns for The Block’s 2026 Mount Eliza season, where the homes’ final facades and auction results are already under scrutiny. Picture: Nine
“These are not townhouses, they’re architecturally designed homes with finishes you don’t see anywhere else.
“Wait until people see the inside, it’s next level. It’ll completely change the conversation.”
The production insider told NewsCorp Australia there are no concerns around auction day.
“We’re not worried about auction day at all. If anything, this is the year that resets expectations,” they said.
“This is the kind of Block that people will look back on and say, that’s when the show stepped up again.”
Block judge Marty Fox has praised the Mount Eliza kitchens as “phenomenal”, but buyers’ agent Madeleine Roberts warned strong interiors might not save the homes. Picture: Instagram/benrobinson_flint
The Block’s 2026 season was meant to be a prestige reset in Mount Eliza, but insiders are split over whether the homes will deliver on auction day. Picture: Nine
The comments follow Block judge Marty Fox telling News Corp Australia last week that this year’s kitchen week had delivered some of the best rooms he had seen on the show.
Fox said the kitchens were “phenomenal”, with five-metre benches and views across Port Phillip Bay.
Nine has not officially confirmed the final facades.
The Block will air later this year on Nine and 9Now.
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david.bonaddio@news.com.au
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