Adrian Portelli has made headlines by gifting five houses purchased from The Block, valued at over $15 million, to lucky winners in a live lottery event held on December 2024 at Phillip Island. This extravagant giveaway attracted more than 20,000 viewers online, with many fans gathering on-site to witness the exciting event.
The giveaway began with a slight delay, but the atmosphere remained electric as Portelli engaged with the crowd, sharing promotional materials for his new show, My Renovation Rules. He was joined on stage by Tahan Lew-Fatt, a former contestant from Big Brother, and business partner Troy Williams. The houses were awarded sequentially based on their auction day sale prices.
Portelli initiated the lottery by reaching out to the winners via FaceTime. The first home was awarded to Parvin, a 43-year-old teacher who won the property that Portelli purchased for $2.6 million. Initially, she missed the call, but when she eventually answered, her disbelief was palpable. “It’s my first win of anything ever,” she said, sharing her plans to inform her husband of their new fortune.
Following her win, the second house was gifted to Josh, a 22-year-old who was socializing with friends in Western Australia when he received the call. “You are now a multi-millionaire mate. You are rich. Drinks are on you!” Portelli exclaimed, confirming the legitimacy of the surprise announcement through a FaceTime call.
The excitement continued with Martha, who won the house belonging to Kristian and Mimi. Her reaction was one of astonishment, famously stating, “F*** off! Have I won a f***ing house?” After processing the news, she expressed her joy despite initial disappointment about the location.
The event also saw Jason, a Sydney-based maintenance worker, learn he had won Courtney and Grant’s property while relaxing in his massage chair. “I am just shocked. I didn’t think I would be winning anything,” he remarked, showcasing the wide range of winners.
The final house was awarded to Donna, who received the news while attending a Christmas pageant with her daughter. The diverse backgrounds of the winners highlighted the broad appeal of Portelli’s giveaway.
Portelli, who has a personal connection to Phillip Island, described the giveaway as a decluttering exercise. Initially contemplating keeping the houses, he pivoted to offering them as prizes through his company, LMCT+. His previous attempt at a giveaway during a Boxing Day raffle, where the winner chose between $8 million in cash or the five renovated properties, ended with the winner opting for the cash.
Having spent $15.03 million on the five properties from the 2024 Block auctions, Portelli’s giveaway marked a significant moment in the show’s history, creating the most lucrative auction day for contestants. His biggest purchase was for Maddy and Charlotte’s house, which he acquired for $3.5 million, setting a record for the youngest winners in the show’s history.
Over three years, Portelli has invested an astonishing $31.68 million in Block properties, gaining recognition as the “Lambo guy” after arriving at the 2022 finale in a yellow Lamborghini. His recent purchases included three properties in Hampton East for $12.4 million, highlighting his continued prominence in the real estate market.
As Portelli steps away from The Block to focus on his new project with Channel Seven, the impacts of his departure are already evident. The recent auction results were less impressive without his financial backing, with two properties passing in and lower earnings for the winners compared to previous years.
Host Scott Cam downplayed concerns over Portelli’s absence, stating, “That’s not going to happen. He went two million over reserve. He just wanted to do a promotion. It was unrealistic, absolutely.”
While the future of My Renovation Rules remains uncertain, Portelli’s recent actions have undeniably altered the landscape of competitive home renovation shows in Australia.
