The Block’s bullish billionaire buyer, Adrian Portelli, is again attempting to give away the Phillip Island houses he bought on the season finale last year, following a failed sales campaign.

The Block compound – or resort, as Portelli has previously called it – comprises five properties at 113-199 Justice Road, Cowes.

Portelli announced on his personal Instagram on Thursday that five people will each win a Block house through yet another sweepstake.

Adrian Portelli is switching things up again, announcing on Thursday via his Instagram story that he is no longer selling The Block Phillip Island houses, but instead is going to try and offload them via a giveaway (again). Photo: Instagram

Portelli paid $15.3 million for the lot during the televised auctions in November last year.

In December, he offered a choice of the resort or $8 million in cash as a trade promotion prize through his rewards club, LMCT+. However, the winner – a 34-year-old Ballarat healthcare worker – chose the money, leaving Portelli holding the keys.

In June, Portelli listed them for sale as one, through an expressions of interest campaign. However, he has abandoned those plans after thousands of social media messages and a few offers.

Adrian Portelli Instagram post in June, when he announced that he was selling the entire Phillip Island compound. Just two months later he’s decided to change tack again.

“I was going to go and sell those Block houses – as you know, I put them up for sale,” Portelli says in a new Instagram video, filmed as he walks through an airport.

“I had a few offers and other people trying to get finance. I can’t be bothered with that s— … so, I said, ‘you know what, I am just going to give it away’.

“I have five houses I need to get rid of. Anyone who grabs a package here, we are going to randomly select five winners, so you have five chances of winning a fully-furnished, debt-free house in Phillip Island, right next to the racetrack, in Victoria.

“And you get all the amenities that come with it. You share all the amenities with all the houses – tennis court, cinema, swimming pools. The absolute works … good luck.”

The entire compound is set to be given away for the second time as a trade promotion through Portelli’s company LMCT+. Photo: Nine

When the properties hit the market in June, Portelli told his followers on Instagram that he would not sell them separately.

He told Domain at the time that he was “not too fussed” about securing a buyer who would take all five houses.

“If someone is keen on the compound and wants it more than I do, they’re more than welcome to take it,” he said.

“I’m looking for a quick, easy sale on the lot, otherwise I’m happy to keep them.”

He said he was open to genuine offers. “I’m just looking to lean out a bit and let go of a few assets I don’t really have the time to enjoy anymore,” he said.

The fully-furnished properties have been empty since the auctioneers’ hammers fell last November.

Maddy and Charlotte embrace buyer Adrian Portelli after he made them $1.65 million richer at The Block 2024 auctions. Photo: Nine

The complex includes the $3.5 million house renovated by sisters Maddy and Charlotte Harry, which took out the competition and a $1.65 million winner’s purse.

Also on offer are Courtney McInnes and Grant Freeman’s home, which sold for $3.3 million; Kristian and Mimi Belperio’s $2.93 million property; Ricky Recard and Haydn Wise’s house, which cost $2.7 million; and Kylie and Brad Baker’s $2.6 million home.

Portelli used a proxy bidder to purchase the Belperio’s property, and only revealed his clean sweep after the auctions.

He told reporters that a “royal flush” was his game plan, and he had not wanted anyone to know.

“It was a spin on things, to make sure I got the deal done,” he said.

Portelli has spent $31.68 million on Block houses over the past three years. However, his renewed effort to offload the Phillip Island compound will not be followed by an appearance on the current Daylesford season on the show.

He indicated he will not be back to bid on the five houses, which have been listed for sale on Domain, with price guides of $3 million to $3.3 million.