The runner-up house in season four of The Block NZ has hit the market for sale.
38 Haig Avenue, in Auckland’s Sandringham, will be auctioned off next month, nine years after it wowed TV audiences.
Many stylish touches Block contestants Jamie and Hayden added to the three-bedroom, two-bathroom home during the reality TV show have been retained, including the much-talked-about black kitchen and graffiti splashback.
The property was snapped up at The Block’s grand finale auction in December 2015 by the current owners. They paid $1.335 million, $160,000 above the reserve and the second-highest price of the night.
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One of the owners admitted to OneRoof that he had never seen the show, and only gave the house a look after being urged to do so by their agent.
“Our agent, Paul Sissons, was selling one of them. He said ‘Why don’t you guys come and look?’ We were surprised at the quality,” he said.
“If I’d had the money, I would have bought all four. I thought they were that great. They were modern, had good sections and were well-placed.”
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The couple decided to bid on two of the Block houses, and walked away with 38 Haig Avenue, ending their six-month-long property search. The auction was tense, the owner told OneRoof.
“There were probably four or five other bidders [we could see in the room] who had missed out on the first house and were looking to bid on the second. We got down to the last two bidders [for 38 Haig Avenue]. We thought, ‘OK, we’ll go up one more, fingers crossed’, and we went up our last $5000,” he said.
The tactic worked, but the couple didn’t stay for any on-air celebrations, instead racing home to family. “We found my mother dancing in the living room. I think she was glad to finally celebrate that her son had his property.”
The eye-catching kitchen with its graffiti splashback. Photo / Supplied
Apart from a fresh coat of paint in places the villa is pretty much the same as it was when the owners bought it almost nine years ago. Photo / Supplied
The best bit, the owner said, was moving day, when all they had to bring was clothes, kitchen and personal gear – everything else was already there, right down to the bed linen and towels. Over the years they’ve replaced furniture and refreshed some of the curtains and paintwork, but the house is pretty much as they found it.
“We love the kitchen, and that island. The graffiti on the backsplash could put people off, but we think it’s a great little addition. It’s been a great talking point,” the owner said.
He said the best part of the house was the outdoor living – the only challenge won by contestants Jamie and Hayden – which includes a louvre roof and a built-in barbecue area on the deck.
“It’s great for summer hosting. Even in winter, it gets afternoon sun. It’s a great extension of the lounge.”
The outdoor entertaining space is the couple's favourite part of the house. Photo / Supplied
One of the other lucky buyers at the packed grand finale auction for The Block: Villa Wars in 2015. Photo / New Zealand Herald
Harcourts agent Abbey Davis, who is marketing the house with colleague Richard Humphreys, said she was excited to show the villa.
“We haven’t had many homes in this area of this calibre to offer buyers, which makes me excited for this one to hit the market. We’re expecting great buyer demand,” she said.
“Everyone loves a villa, and I know buyers will walk in and fall in love with the quality and finish, there just isn’t anything to do here and the area is so handy to Cazador and the French Bakery.”
38 Haig Avenue is the second property from The Block: Villa Wars to hit the market since the show ended.
A neighbouring house sold in October 2020 for $1.925m, $653,000 more than contestants Sarah and Minnane got in 2015.
For sale: 5/516 New North Road, in Auckland's Kingsland, is the penthouse suite. Photo / Supplied
With the future of The Block NZ uncertain, following the cancellation of the 11th season earlier this year, the sale of 38 Haig Avenue could be the closest Kiwis get to a Block auction this year.
However, Block fans looking for something smaller can check out the penthouse from season eight of the show.
The two-bedroom pad on 516 Great North Road, in Auckland’s Kingsland, was renovated by The Block contestants Sophia and Mikaere Gardiner in 2019. It has been on the market since April and is for sale by negotiation.
- 38 Haig Avenue, in Sandringham, Auckland, goes to auction on September 4
