TELEVISION PUB RULES WILL TEST RENOVATORS

Gatwick Hotel may not be the biggest building renovated on The Block, but it comes with quirks challenging enough to leave amateur renovators shell- shocked.

Nine’s long- running reality reno show returns for a 14th season, and five fresh- faced teams will have just 11 weeks and a budget of $ 220,000 to transform the notorious Gatwick into five luxury apartments.

“It’s not the biggest building we’ve ever done but it’s the biggest construction we’ve ever done. There’s 150 tonne of steel going in, which is an enormous amount of steel,” host Scott Cam says.

“Our contestants are still surprised by the amount of work required,” Cam says. “They knew they’d be renovating the Gatwick but when you speak to any of the contestants they ( admit) never really realising how intense it is and how quickly they have to make decisions on the spot.

The teams will compete in a 48- hour kids’ bedroom challenge to determine who gets first pick of the apartments.

Each has a different aspect and size, with the largest apartment boasting a mammoth 100sq m open- plan living and dining area.

Three of the apartments are located within the old, heritage part of the building while two grand penthouses will be newly constructed on the roof.

The choice isn’t as straightforward as viewers may think. The two rooftop properties are clean slates with no heritage features, while one of the lower apartments has a safe with hidden “booty” inside.

As always, Cam acts as mediator, sounding board and disciplinarian.

Shelley Craft returns as co- host along with judges Neale Whitaker, Shaynna Blaze and Darren Palmer, foreman Keith Schleiger and his right- hand man Dan Reilly.