A block from the beach

Anyone wondering why there's been so many glimpses of Bay Street on the new season of the The Block need only peer round the corner onto Rouse Street. This nondescript commercial property, currently still listed on the business association's web-site as home to Think Sustainable Print, is actually where many of the DIY challenges have been performed.

With three of the last four series using properties within a kilometre radius of South Melbourne (the latest conversion, of a tall building described variously as a former factory, cinema or church, is on O'Grady Street in Albert Park), it comes as no surprise to learn that the executive producer lives nearby. Probably on a different street though, given the unwieldy volume of spectators the show seems to inflict upon disgruntled neighbours.