Season five of Rock the Block delivered on its promise of redemption, pitting previous contestants against each other for a second chance at victory. After weeks of intense renovations and high-stakes challenges, the finale revealed the winners: twin sisters Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis. Fans watched with bated breath as host Ty Pennington, alongside Property Brothers star Jonathan Scott, delivered the final verdict, culminating in a dramatic drone show and the crowning of the Season 5 champions.
This season’s theme focused on redemption, with each of the four competing teams—Bryan and Sarah Baeumler, Page Turner and Mitch Glew, Keith Bynum and Evan Thomas, and Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis—all returning for another shot at the Rock the Block title. Coming into the final episode, Bryan and Sarah Baeumler seemed to be the frontrunners, boasting three challenge wins throughout the season. However, in a nail-biting finale, it was Lyndsay and Leslie who ultimately “rocked the block,” impressing the appraisers and judges with their strategic renovations. The grand prize? Bragging rights and their names on the street sign, a testament to their hard work and design prowess.
The Road to Victory: Loft and Laundry Room Transformations
The final challenge tasked the teams with transforming the second-floor lofts and laundry rooms of their Florida waterfront condos. Each team had five days and the remnants of their initial $250,000 budget (plus an additional $25,000 for pools) to complete these crucial spaces. The Baeumlers, thanks to their previous wins, had a comfortable $19,000 to spend, while other teams had to be more frugal.
Page and Mitch, with only $9,000 left, focused on creating a coastal chic aesthetic. They converted their loft into a cozy reading nook complete with built-in bookshelves and earned praise for their innovative bi-fold kitchen window and grocery lift. However, the judges weren’t entirely sold on the social media room concept, and Jonathan Scott felt the balcony lacked a certain “wow” factor.
Lyndsay and Leslie, operating with the smallest remaining budget of just $5,000, strategically invested in features that would add significant appraised value. They incorporated a functional office space and a third laundry room, notably featuring a unique dog-washing station. The judges acknowledged the appeal of their tropical retreat design, highlighting elements like solar panels, wine storage, a bold kitchen, and a spa-like primary suite with a sauna and cold plunge. However, the second-floor dog-washing station and the necessity of three laundry rooms raised some eyebrows.
Lyndsay and Leslie transformed their loft and laundry room strategically.
Keith and Evan, with $8,000 remaining, opted to forgo a laundry room altogether and instead added a dedicated office space with custom built-ins to their organic modern home. The judges appreciated the dramatic ceiling, grand kitchen, luxurious main suite, and outdoor kitchen. However, the repetitive use of the same tile in multiple bathrooms and the inclusion of a closet fireplace were points of contention.
Sarah and Bryan, with the largest remaining budget of $19,000, aimed for a natural zen vibe. They incorporated a curved statement wall with storage, a laundry room, and even splurged on a Jet Ski. The judges lauded the zen garden, elevator, curved walls, custom wallpaper, and automatic screens. Concerns were raised about the first-floor bedroom location and the layout of the primary suite closet.
The Appraisals Are In: Lyndsay and Leslie Crowned Winners
After the final walk-throughs and deliberations, Ty Pennington and Jonathan Scott revealed the results. Starting with an initial value of $1.7 million per property and a $250,000 renovation budget (plus $25,000 for pools), each team successfully increased their home’s value to over $2.28 million. In a remarkably close competition, only $20,000 separated first and second place.
The dramatic drone show culminated in the announcement: Lyndsay and Leslie were the winners of Rock the Block Season 5! The twin sisters were overcome with emotion, Leslie expressing her shock and speechlessness at the win. Their home appraised for just over $2.3 million, with key features like solar panels, backup batteries, a sauna, cold plunge pool, and climate-controlled wine storage contributing significantly to the appraised value. These strategic additions, aligning with the Florida market’s demands and preferences, ultimately tipped the scales in their favor.
Ty Pennington and Jonathan Scott announcing Lyndsay and Leslie as Rock the Block Season 5 winners.
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
HGTV’s Instagram announcement of Lyndsay and Leslie’s win ignited a flurry of fan reactions, showcasing divided opinions on the outcome. Some viewers wholeheartedly agreed with the judges’ decision, praising the twins’ smart investments in value-adding features relevant to the Florida climate. Comments highlighted the appeal of solar power, backup batteries, and the overall “Floridian” feel of their design.
However, a significant portion of fans expressed disappointment, arguing that other teams, particularly Keith and Evan, or Bryan and Sarah, were more deserving of the win. Criticism centered around the twins’ design choices being perceived as “bland” or less aesthetically appealing compared to the other homes. Some viewers felt that prioritizing practical additions like solar panels over high-end design elements was not in the spirit of the competition, suggesting that the “worst house” had won simply by adding “toys.” Despite the differing opinions, the finale undoubtedly sparked conversation and engagement among Rock the Block enthusiasts.
The Season 5 finale of Rock the Block proved that strategic renovations and understanding market value can be just as crucial as high-end design. Lyndsay and Leslie’s victory serves as a testament to their savvy approach, proving that sometimes, the most impactful renovations are the ones that offer practical benefits and resonate with the local market. Their win has certainly “rocked the block” and left fans eagerly anticipating future seasons of HGTV’s hit competition show.
