Curtin classic represents the Great Australian Dream - a solid house on a quarter acre block

Bree Prince of HIVE Property, who lists this week’s Curtin feature property which sits on nearly a quarter acre – in the old money (AKA 0.1 hectares) – says it’s a suburb with strong community ties.

“Families who live here and are looking to move, mostly want to upsize in Curtin,” she says. “It’s an easy place to live in – plenty of amenities, shops, recreational options and it’s close to everything.”

Prince says, generally speaking, there are two locales: on the ridge and close to the shops. “Each has their own appeal, but they all enjoy Curtin’s enviable location,” she says.

Prince says detached homes in original condition are in the $1.3 million to $1.4 million band while the upper end is pushing through the $3 million ceiling. The latest Domain House Price Report cites a median Curtin price of $1,427,500.

Mario Sanfrancesco of Blackshaw Manuka says Curtin blurs the line of where the Inner South ends. “It sits right there on the border and buyers looking at the Inner South are certainly drawn to its leafy streets as well,” he says.

Sanfrancesco recalls two buyers who were focused on the Inner South ending up bidding on the same house in Curtin with one setting a suburb record.

“Buyers see the value that’s offered just minutes away where it’s often possible to get more home on a bigger block,” he says.

Feature property:

One of the advantages of a suburb such as Curtin is that it benefits from earlier planning dynasties that believed in the Australian Dream: the iconic “quarter acre block”. That’s around 1012 square metres and this one in Wilson Street is so close to that mark it’s not worth arguing about.

Add to that a quiet cul-de-sac location, a wide landscaped frontage, a Curtin Ridge backdrop and a northerly aspect into the living areas.

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Aside from the planning, the links with earlier times continue. This home presents through the medium of another icon – original Canberra red bricks. But the history lesson ends there. The home may have been built in 1967, but inside it has been renovated convincingly into 2023. And it now delivers 182 square metres of light-filled living – along with a bonus detached garden studio in the generous backyard.

The entry presents a practical floor plan featuring lightly toned engineered oak timber floors in the kitchen, dining and living area with an adjoining play hub. The main bedroom suite is separated by three other generous bedrooms and a multipurpose room.

The kitchen gleams in white with a stone island bench, integrated dishwasher, double ovens and a spacious butler’s pantry. Home comfort is delivered through ducted heating and cooling.

Outside, there’s plenty of room for al fresco living with a covered entertaining deck, while a double garage offers plenty of space for a boat, trailer or other toys.

Curtin curtsy

Family-friendly: There are plenty of large blocks in Curtin, a suburb established some 60 years ago. That’s a big tick for families along with its easy access to schools and recreational options.

Attractions: Local stars on the hospitality scene are introducing more people to the appeal of Curtin, including gastro pub, Two Blind Mice, award-winning Daana Restaurant and the retro cool Statesman Hotel.

Great outdoors: There are plenty of options for stretching the legs, including ovals and walking trails that offer the perfect escape from the bustle of everyday life while still being conveniently close. Enjoying the best of both worlds, it attracts buyers from the Inner South while it’s also part of the thriving Woden Valley.

On the market in Curtin

15B Reynolds Street

$1.749 million

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20 Gillies Street

$1.65 million+

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3 Macalister Crescent

$1.13 million+

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