The benefits of buying into a boutique development in Canberra

There’s strong demand from all parts of the market for apartments and townhouses within small developments.

Dan McAlpine, of Belle Property Canberra says first-home buyers, professional couples and downsizers are all leading the push.

“The older, established developments are highly sought after, often in preference to newer offerings,” he says.

“There’s a number of reasons – they are often centrally located and they’re old enough for any building issues to have revealed themselves, if they exist.”

McAlpine says these type of boutique developments can be found in suburbs such as Braddon, Kingston and Yarralumla.

“As far as contemporary developments are concerned, there’s definitely been more coming to the market, especially on the remediated Mr Fluffy blocks throughout the ACT,” he says.

“New or older, it’s up to the buyer.”

Sally Strang, of home.byholly, says she has also seen tremendous interest whenever apartments or townhouses in boutique developments come to market.

“We’ve had some recent examples: an older style townhouse in a Cook development and another in Aranda, both two-beddies. They generated enormous interest and strong competition,” she says.

“There’s a number of contributing reasons like location, they have often been completely refurbished and owners only have to deal with a smaller body corporate.”

Strang says many of the older offerings also tend to offer much more living and entertaining space.

“They were built at a time when floor plans tended to be a bit more generous and that extended to the outdoor areas, too,” she says.

• Boutique. It’s another way of saying “small developments” and they are certainly beautiful in the eyes of many buyers who appreciate a central location, fewer neighbours, more privacy, and simpler body corporates.
• Old is gold. Longer-established boutique developments have significant appeal to contemporary buyers from all demographics. Any building issues have usually long since revealed themselves and there are opportunities to refurbish.
• New with bling. More boutique developments have been coming to market, particularly in the wake of remediated Mr Fluffy blocks. Buyers are drawn to the inclusion of contemporary fixtures, fittings and finishes.

Check out our top pick of homes for sale in a boutique development:

Yarralumla

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Townhouse and apartment living is in high demand, particularly with discerning buyers who want the best contemporary living has to offer within boutique developments.

Added to that is their need for security, privacy and a desirable address. This Yarralumla development of just 14 executive townhouses delivers all that and more.

Entry to 7/65 Musgrave Street leads into a foyer that flows into a generous living area and onto a dining room. Both are illuminated by the key feature, an internal atrium that draws in an abundance of natural light.

A kitchen, casual meals and family room deliver the heart of the home, and foodies will appreciate the extensive storage for kitchen gadgets.

Upstairs, there are two good-sized minor bedrooms with built-ins, one with en suite. The generous main bedroom also has an en suite, a walk-through robe and shares a balcony and views with one of the bedrooms.

Outside, a high-walled courtyard runs the width of the home and offers options for al fresco dining.

The expansive, landscaped front garden is highlighted by a sparkling water feature, Japanese maple, espalier star jasmine, crab apples and cloud conifers. The front gate leads to a path through parkland reserve, directly to Yarralumla Bay.

There’s also easy access to schools, shops, the embassy belt, the parliamentary triangle and Lake Burley Griffin. This high-living, low-maintenance residence will appeal to downsizers, professionals and diplomats.

Price guide: $1.45 million +

Auction: 2.30pm, May 1

Agent: Dan McAlpine, Belle Property Canberra 0401 005 282

Or try these:

Canberra City

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Price guide: $439,000 +

Private sale

Agent: Home.byholly, Ash Costello 0402 718 359

Mawson

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Price guide: $1.35 million

Private sale

Agent: Blackshaw Manuka, Luke Revet 0418 101 213

Braddon

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Price guide: $494,000

Private sale

Agent: Luton Properties Manuka, Sophie Luton 0410 750 413