'Beautiful parks and a community vibe': Why this inner city location has buyers circling

Once an industrial heartland, Zetland has been busy switching things up to become one of Sydney’s most sought-after postcodes. With an in-demand dining district, brand new developments and quick access to the city, parks and coastline, it has truly cemented its status as a vibrant inner-city hub.

Being one of Sydney’s most well-connected suburbs, locals have been ditching the car for trains, buses and cycleways. Whether it’s to the nearby universities, Centennial Parklands or Sydney Airport, everything locals could ever want is right on their doorstep. From grocery stores and fresh baked goods to the newly built aquatic centre and Green Square Library.

Then there is the explosion of on-trend cafes and global eats, with the weekly Joynton Park markets bringing together the local community. Add into the mix an abundance of green space with playgrounds and splash parks, and this inner-city neighbourhood is as much for families as it is for young professionals who love to be on the fringe of Sydney’s CBD.

“Zetland has its own little heartbeat. It doesn’t try to be something it’s not – it’s unique in its own sort of attitude, not too pretentious, just honest people trying to make a decent living and have a good time,” says Robert Adland, the manager of Zetland Hotel.

Zetland has reinvented itself in the past decade, turning spaces where old warehouses and industrial buildings stood into low-and high-density developments. And although Zetland has become modern, shiny and new, the heritage terrace houses along quiet tree-lined streets bring a charming juxtaposition.

“I’ve been here for five years, and even in that time, our clientele has changed,” Adland says. “We used to get a lot of builders and tradies coming in when all the construction was happening, and now that’s settling down, we’re getting young professionals, tradespeople and families coming in as we have a big outdoor dining and drinking area.”

The executive manager of corporate communications for Deicorp, Rob Furolo, agrees that Zetland has reinvented itself as one of Sydney’s hottest addresses.

“Zetland is quickly establishing a reputation as a super-convenient, vibrant part of the inner city where residents can enjoy the best of everything Sydney has to offer,” he says. “It’s the new heart of modern Sydney living with East Village shopping, Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre, great restaurants and cafes, Sydney’s most iconic sporting venues, and easy access to trains and the CBD.”

Embracing the ease and convenience of Zetland, people have been moving into the suburb in droves, spurring a nightlife and entertainment industry. This, Furolo says, is bringing the best of Sydney’s cool inner-city restaurants and breweries into the neighbourhood.

“All this development has changed the night, dining and entertainment options available to the many people moving into the area,” he says.

Zetland’s newest development, Downtown, has home buyers and investors talking. Across four uniquely designed buildings with pedestrian laneways and rooftop gardens, Downtown Zetland by Deicorp is contemporary living at its finest. Steps away from Gunyama Park Aquatic Centre, the apartments of Downtown offer flexible floor plans with seamless indoor-outdoor living.

“With four of Australia’s smartest architectural firms each responsible for a separate component of the Downtown project, the end result will be beautiful to look at and wonderful to live in,” Furolo says.

Bathed in natural light with tactile materials throughout, each apartment is thoughtfully designed with integrated spaces that adapt to meet the daily needs of residents, plus SMEG appliances, intelligent storage solutions and a dedicated workspace.

“Downtown Zetland is defined by its style and presence. One of the most striking elements of the project is the bold entry archway, combined with the trendy laneways throughout, giving it privacy and a sense of place that owners will fall in love with,” Furolo says.