Danny Wallis with Scott Cam after buying three houses on The Block Brighton. Picture: Supplied
A regular Block buyer once considered an auction “nuisance” has generously donated one of his three latest purchases on the hit reno show to charity.
Melbourne rich lister Danny Wallis has confirmed he would donate the 1930s creation by South Australian contestants Daniel and Jade, which he bought for $3.8m, to the My Room Children’s Cancer Charity.
The gesture is extra special given Daniel and Jade’s own daughter Isla suffers from a rare chromosome disorder.
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Mr Wallis with the contestants who he bought houses from. Picture: Supplied
362A New St Brighton will be donated to the My Room Children’s Cancer charity.
“The My Room Children’s Cancer Charity do so many wonderful things for sick children and their families, and they will benefit so much from having access to Daniel and Jade’s amazing home,” Mr Wallis said in a statement to Nine.
“It is made extra special for me because I know Daniel and Jade have been through so much with their daughter Isla over the years, in and out of hospital, and they will understand just how important the house will be for My Room and all the incredible work they do for sick children and their families.”
Daniel and Jade’s house is being donated to charity. Picture: Supplied
It’s a very generous offer, after Mr Wallis spent $3.8m on it.
It’s not the first time the wealthy IT entrepreneur has used the properties he bought on The Block for good. A South Melbourne house at 403 Dorcas Street, which he bought for $1.4m in season five, was used for several years by the Ronald McDonald House for free until he sold it in 2016.
It’s understood Mr Wallis will rent out the remaining two properties he bought on The Block Brighton – Sarah and George’s and Harry and Tash’s.
Mr Wallis with the South Melbourne house he bought for 1.4m from The Block in season five.
He spent almost $12m on the three family homes, which are expected to have a rental return of thousands of dollars a week.
He also bought Mitch and Mark’s St Kilda party house last year for $3.374m, which CoreLogic shows was being leased out for $2700 a week earlier in 2020.
Mr Wallis made his money by founding and directing a number of IT and technology companies – the latest of which was DWS, which he sold for $162m in September.
Inside Mitch and Mark’s St Kilda house last year.
He bought it for $3.374m last year.
But despite buying multiple properties on The Block, Mr Wallis had admitted he’s not a huge fan of the hit reno show.
He told the Herald Sun last year that he found the auctions “slow” and “stupid”.
“I’ve never been at an auction where people get five minutes think time,” Mr Wallis said.
Queensland contestants Jimmy and Tam win the Block 2020. Picture: Fiona Hamilton
He also told Fox FM on Monday that he didn’t actually thoroughly inspect The Block properties before buying them and that he only watches the Sunday night episodes for room reveals.
“I don’t actually like going in a lot of houses I buy, because I don’t like seeing what people live like. I just buy them on the outside,” Mr Wallis said to Fox.
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Buyer’s advocate Frank Valentic told the Herald Sun last year that Mr Wallis was “a bit of a nuisance” because of his unusual bids and auction manner.
The Block Triple Threat buyers’ advocates Greville Pabst, Nicole Jacobs, and Frank Valentic were unable to compete against Mr Wallis. Photo by Martin Philbey
Renowned buyer’s advocate Nicole Jacobs also said she was “a bit dumbfounded” by all of Mr Wallis’ auction action.
“I’m going to ask him next year if I can bid for him,” Ms Jacobs said.
“But Danny has nailed it. He’s got three amazing properties, which have all sold for well under the money that’s gone into them. He should be feeling very comfortable.’
He also bought 364 New St Brighton made by Victorian’s Harry and Tash.
Sarah and George’s house at 362B New St Brighton was also bought by Mr Wallis.
Mr Wallis suggested his buying streak may come to an end, after the 17th season was announced for Hampton in 2021.
“Where’s that?” Mr Wallis said.
“Never heard of it …. that’s too far out.”
READ MORE: The Block 2021: Nicole Jacobs sells Hampton house to show
The Block 2019: The man who bought Mitch and Mark’s property
The Block 2020: Mitch and Mark dish the dirt on the best houses
