The Block bidder Adrian Portelli to give away $2.3 million waterfront mansion
After missing out on a new home, one of The Block’s bidders has announced he will be giving away a $2.3 million home in Queensland instead.
Adrian Portelli was thrust into the spotlight after the show’s recent season finale, amid accusations he placed “dummy bids” to ramp up the price of winning team Omar Slaimenkhel and Ozmand ‘Oz’ Abu Malik’s property.
The duo made a record-breaking $1.6 million on their house in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges, but came under scrutiny after they greeted Portelli by hugging him on the show and it emerged that the three were friends.
After Portelli engaged in a bidding war with veteran Block buyer Danny Wallis and came out unsuccessful, he didn’t bid on any of the other five homes offered on auction day, sparking the accusations of false bids.
While speculation has continued to grow, the 33-year-old property investor and car enthusiast has said he will be giving away a waterfront mansion in the Gold Coast’s Sanctuary Cove.
The property will be given away through Portelli’s promotions company, LMCT+, which offers giveaways of both houses and cars.
“We didn’t win The Block house to giveaway so we’ve found a replacement. This will be our next HOUSE GIVEAWAY on the Gold Coast 🤯,” he wrote on the company’s Instagram.
The house is one of a few Portelli owns in the area, including one in nearby Hope Island and another he is building in the neighbourhood, and “was never meant for a giveaway”, according to news.com.au.
“It’s a stunning house. It was never meant for a giveaway but here we are,” he said.
As for the bidding controversy, Portelli said he was interested in the other homes, adding that his intention had been to give the home he wanted to purchase away.
“People thought I was a dummy bidder and mate of Omar and Oz. I was simply wanting to buy the four-bedroom house to give away through my business LMCT+, to give everyday Aussies the chance to win a house they’ve all become attached to over its renovation on The Block,” he said.
“It’s not my fault Danny let his ego get in the way and drove the price up to a point where it didn’t make sense to me, so I backed out.
“The other houses just weren’t appealing to me for its intended use.”
Image: @adrian_portelli (Instagram)