Super fans paid for the privilege of touring the Block houses. Photo / Michael Craig
Super fans paid for the privilege of touring the Block houses. Photo / Michael Craig
They wax lyrical about space and colour, grin at the prospect of seeing a laundry and gush over views of the Sky Tower, these junior Block-a-Holics. Not for them a trip to the movies or a kick around at the park today.
Their passion is renovation, and they joined a crowd of about 50 in a special pre-open day tour of the four Sandringham homes spruced up as part of The Block NZ: Villa Wars, the latest installment in the wildly popular reality reno series.
Fans look around house number 3. Photo / Michael Craig
Diehard adult fans paid $69, and dropped another $38 for their equally-obsessed kids, to tour the homes.
At the front of the queue was 15-year-old Harry Crawford, likely the show's most devoted fan - he visited the site regularly during school holidays, delivering baked goodies for the exhausted contestants.
He couldn't wait to return for a closer inspection.
"I love renovation and seeing how good the houses look. I really want to spice up my renovation skills, and [join] the building and construction programme at my school, Onehunga High School."
Good mate and fellow renovation buff Sam Parr, 13, joined Crawford.
The St Kentigern College pupil loved the backyard - yet to be revealed on screen - of Auckland couple Jamie Johns and Hayden Campbell.
"It's done beautifully. I really like modern architecture, I love how liveable it is and the colours and the combinations of colours."
He dreamed of owning a architecturally-designed home, funded by "buying lots of rental properties".
Eleven-year-old Emily Holehan travelled from Whangarei with her parents and sister.
The family are mad keen on the show, but Emily was the biggest fan - especially for New Plymouth couple Cat Glass and Jeremy Hill.
"Everything is just so creative and they all have their own style."
Glass and Hill's pad, like the couple themselves, was her favourite - its best asset the view of the Sky Tower.
Outside the homes, the Herald on Sunday heard one girl talk elatedly about seeing a laundry, and a boy aged 11 - so excited he scooted away before sharing his name - give his approval to the interior design of the villa renovated by Christchurch couple Brooke Thompson and Mitch Davies.
The Block super fans Tracey Manning, partner Terry Holehan and their children Alice Holehan, 14, and Emily Holehan, 11, travelled from Whangarei for the visit. Photo / Michael Craig
"I really love this space," he said earnestly.
"I'm very interested in how people use spaces."
Adults were also impressed with the clean lines and indoor-outdoor flow of the villas.
Stonefields mum Adrienne Clarke toured the homes with daughters Holly, 10, and Madison, 14, and left with a smile on her face, especially after seeing the efforts of her favourite couple, Glass and Hill.
"It's feels homely. You can feel Cat's presence in the house, it's amazing."
Four teams of two renovated the villas, and the pair who sell for the highest profit above-reserve will be crowned champions and top up their profits with a $100,000 prize.
