The Block 2019 – Restoration of The Oslo Hotel in St Kilda

The Block has returned to TV screens for another season and contestants are challenged with the task of renovating the long forgotten & rundown Oslo Hotel in St Kilda.

Whilst we’re eager to see the incredible transformation of this historic beauty, just as interesting is the colourful history of the former hotel.Long before The Oslo took a turn for the worst, it was notably one of the grandest properties located in prestigious St Kilda when it was built in 1859.

Previously known as Westbourne Terrace, it was home to some of Melbourne’s most influential people including Mars Buckley, the owner of Buckley and Nunn department store as well as Ebenezer Syme, the original owner of The Age newspaper.

The Neo Georgian property was originally a row of five, three-storey terrace houses. The current façade including porch, balconies and arches was added to the building sometime during the early 20th Century. By 1909, the address was listed as a single entity with further additions made to the façade over the years.

The building was also renamed several times. Known first as Kileen, then Westbourne Terrace and finally, The Oslo. It is around this time when a brother and sister took over the building, knocking down the walls and turning it into a massive hostel,

Just before Channel Nine bought the building for a reported $10.8 million — for this year’s show — the low-budget hotel offered accommodation in shared dorm rooms for as little as $18 a night.

This years restoration is by far the biggest in the history of The Block. Each house will have four bedrooms, three living areas, three outdoor spaces and a double garage.

It’s no doubt that the contestants will run into some mammoth challenges with the overhaul of this grand space, but as all of us here at Harcourts Melbourne City are lovers and advocates for all Warehouse, Heritage & Unique (WHU) properties we’re eager to see the outcome!

Source: www.nowtolove.com.au  www.homestolove.com.au www.news.com.au www.dailymail.co.uk