1 week ago
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Controversial entrepreneur Adrian Portelli is preparing to return to Melbourne after spending several months living a glamorous life in Dubai – despite recently claiming the Middle Eastern city felt 'safer' than Australia.
The billionaire businessman, best known to television audiences as The Block's so-called 'Lambo Guy', is expected to touch down in Australia in the coming weeks as he ramps up a string of major business projects.
Among them is an ambitious new venture that will see Portelli enter an unexpected industry: petrol stations.
Sources say the LMCT+ founder is preparing to open the first LMCT+ branded petrol station, with the inaugural site reportedly set for Preston in Melbourne's north.
The project marks Portelli's latest attempt to expand his ever-growing business empire beyond the promotions platform that made him famous.
Through LMCT+, Portelli built a massive following by offering members the chance to win luxury cars, multi-million-dollar homes and other high-end prizes.
Controversial entrepreneur Adrian Portelli (pictured) is preparing to return to Melbourne after spending several months living a glamorous life in Dubai - despite recently claiming the Middle Eastern city felt 'safer' than Australia
Now the businessman appears ready to move into the fuel market – meaning the man known for giving away Lamborghinis could soon also be selling petrol.
The timing of his return to Australia also coincides with the upcoming launch of his new television venture.
Portelli has teamed up with Chris Brown for Seven Network's renovation competition My Reno Rules, which is expected to premiere after Easter.
Industry insiders say the entrepreneur will likely need to be in Australia once the show launches as Seven ramps up promotion for the series.
The program centres around renovation prize homes that will ultimately be given away, tying directly into Portelli's broader business model.
It also marks his first major move into television following his highly publicised falling-out with The Block.
Portelli previously made headlines during his time connected to the Nine Network renovation show after purchasing several properties at auction, earning him the nickname 'Lambo Guy'.
His return to Melbourne is particularly notable given the controversy he sparked while living overseas.
Sources say the LMCT+ founder is preparing to open the first LMCT+ branded petrol station, with the inaugural site reportedly set for Preston in Melbourne's north
Portelli has teamed up with Chris Brown (left) for Seven Network's renovation competition My Reno Rules, which is expected to premiere after Easter
Portelli previously made headlines during his time connected to the Nine Network renovation show after purchasing several properties at auction, earning him the nickname 'Lambo Guy'
Earlier this week, Portelli told followers on social media that Dubai felt safer than crime-ridden Melbourne, despite missile strikes being reported in the region at the time amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
'The truth of the matter is, it's 100 per cent true,' he said. 'I would rather have missiles flying over my head than potentially waking up in the middle of the night to a bunch of thugs standing over my bed with machetes, and then nothing gets done about it.'
He said he was fed up with offenders only 'getting a slap on the wrist' back in his home city.
'Guess what? I do feel safer here,' he said. 'There's a few explosions here and there, they rattle the house, but big s***.
'It looks worse on media and socials than what it actually is.
'We're here. I'm not stranded here. I did get a heads up that this was gonna happen. They offered to bring the jet over to get me out of here, but I declined and we're just here... Everything is sweet here.'
"He then showed some construction workers outside the window, who appeared to be quietly building a courtyard, and commented on how much he loved Dubai and disliked the wave of influencers who had set up shop there to give the impression of wealth.
Earlier on Monday, Portelli even shared a photo of his young son eating pasta and joked he was 'more concerned' about cleaning the mess than the attacks from Iran.
Earlier this week, Portelli told followers on social media that Dubai felt safer than crime-ridden Melbourne, despite missile strikes being reported in the region at the time amid rising tensions in the Middle East
Portelli confirmed he and his family (pictured) have temporarily relocated to Dubai and haven't been stranded by the conflict
His comments quickly raised eyebrows among Australian followers, with many questioning the comparison between the two cities.
Portelli appeared largely unfazed by the backlash, later reassuring fans that his family was safe while they remained overseas.
Despite his jet-set lifestyle abroad, Melbourne remains the centre of the entrepreneur's expanding empire.
Between the LMCT+ platform, the new petrol station rollout and his upcoming television series, Portelli has plenty of reasons to be back on home soil.
Sources say Portelli is expected to arrive in Australia by private jet in the coming weeks, alongside his partner Karlie and their two children, as he prepares for the next phase of his business ventures.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, tourists and residents panicked as Iranian drones slammed into the landmark Palm Jumeirah hotel, injuring four people, and also struck the iconic sail-shaped Burj Al Arab hotel.
The government of the UAE, which governs Dubai and the six other emirates, confirmed three people have been killed by Iran's strikes and 58 more injured.
Dramatic footage showed a fireball lighting up the sky near the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, as a missile was intercepted.
The UAE's Ministry of Defence said that, as of Sunday afternoon, it had shot down 152 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 506 drones (pictured is damage in Tehran, Iran)
The government of the UAE confirmed three people have been killed by Iran's strikes and 58 more injured (pictured is damage at The Palm)
Authorities confirmed debris from drones intercepted by air defences fell onto two homes in the city, injuring two people, and also caused a fire at the major Jebel Ali port.
Further videos overnight showed panic inside a smoke-filled, debris-strewn terminal at Dubai Airport, which was evacuated after four members of staff were injured.
The UAE's Ministry of Defence said that, as of Sunday afternoon, it had shot down 152 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 506 drones.
Airspace over the Middle East remains almost completely empty, with most airports closed to all traffic. Around 20,000 flights have so far been delayed or cancelled.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said an estimated 115,000 Australians are currently stranded across the Middle East with airspace closed.
Wong said the government's priority was helping Australians return home on commercial flights once international routes reopen.
She urged those in the region to register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
'First we need to see if commercial flights will restart, given the numbers of people in the region,' she told ABC News Breakfast.
'The issue is not who is flying, it's that people are not flying. At the moment, we know this is a very volatile situation.
'We will continue to provide the most up-to-date and timely information we can, and I urge anyone needing assistance to register with DFAT.'
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