Elsternwick: a one-of-a-kind village suburb with culture and community

 Few suburbs can boast proximity to the city and the bay, with a quality of life quite like Elsternwick.

Despite its relative under-the-radar status, this suburb has all the attributes of a prestige postcode (south-eastern suburbs location, established architecture, quality schools) but with a history and soul not matched by its neighbouring counterparts.

“For families looking for convenience while balancing professional lifestyles and family commitments, look no further than Elsternwick,” says Buxton sales consultant Tom Davidson.

“Elsternwick is a suburb with a sense of community and belonging, ideal for young families, yet offering an abundance of history embodied by the elderly that have lived here for generations.”

Walk down Glenhuntly Road or Glen Eira Road on the suburb’s fringe on a Saturday morning and the village feel of Elsternwick could not be more evident.

Here, you’ll see Jewish families as they head home from synagogue, young families walking to Harleston Park, and twenty-somethings trying to snag a table at one of the new cafes. It’s this multiculturalism and diversity that gives Elsternwick its true community atmosphere.

The growing popularity of Elsternwick, as reflected in the growing house prices, can be largely attributed to its surge of new eateries and boutiques. These businesses have introduced those previously unfamiliar with Elsternwick to the area, and in turn boosted the suburb’s reputation beyond locals.

According to director at Biggin & Scott Bill Stavrakis, new businesses such as homewares store Mercantile Home, Vietnamese restaurant Hanoi Hanna, and cafes Glovers Station and Penta have raised the bar in terms of service over the past 12 to 18 months.

“Without a doubt, the area has transformed into a more sophisticated environment,” Stavrakis says.

These new businesses sit alongside the suburb’s most classic and beloved venues, such as Classic Cinemas, Will’s Batch Ice Cream and The Flying Saucer Club.

“A multicultural society exists in Elsternwick and the best part about that [for me] is the spoilt-for-choice eateries, iconic ones at that,” Davidson says.

“There’s also Maxy’s [Middle eastern and European meals], After The Tears [traditional Polish food with liquor to match] and Aviv [iconic bakery, often with lines out the door on the weekends].”

New apartment developments have also recently introduced new buyers to the area, from those looking to downsize and first homebuyers previously priced out of this pocket.

“There have been significant changes in recent years. We have started to see increased development within the area with new apartments and retail spaces,” says Buxton director Halli Moore.

“There are a lot of younger people attracted to the area, adding to the vibrancy of Glenhuntly Road.”

These new developments sit alongside the suburb’s established architecture, with a mix of Edwardian and Victorian properties regularly on the market.

“I have noticed that the original family homes have traded hands and are now being renovated and restored by the professional couples and families,” Stavrakis says.

“The area seems to be attracting highly educated professionals that appreciate the ‘soul’ and diversity of ethnicities that make the area so very popular.”

These observations are confirmed in the data, with a real mix of buyers now establishing themselves in the area. The divide between families and singles is almost equal, and there’s an even split of rented properties, fully owned homes and those under mortgage.

Local guide

• Located nine kilometres from the CBD.
• Medians: houses, $1.4 million; units, $564,000.
• Elsternwick ranked sixth in The Age’s most recent most liveable Melbourne suburbs list, up from the 24th spot in 2011.
• Many of the suburb’s original buildings are still standing, such as the theatre built in 1910 (today known as the Classic Cinemas), and the former post office built in 1891.
• Elsternwick’s Jewish Holocaust Centre is an internationally recognised institution and museum.
• Homewares store Dalgarno’s on Glenhuntly Road was established in 1913 and still operates today.

Cherished address

Amanda Ruben, above, has lived in Elsternwick for 13 years with husband Mark Gardy and children Cooper, 12 and Milla, 11.

Originally attracted to the area for its location complete with leafy streets, parks and large block sizes, the couple purchased an Edwardian home in need of restoring.

“The house needed a lot of work when we bought it but we thought it had the potential to be a gorgeous family home, especially with a very generous sized backyard,” Ruben says.

Ruben has watched the suburb evolve over the years, particularly noting the growing dining options such as her own, Miss Ruben, which opened last year. Located just over the Elsternwick border in Ripponlea, Miss Ruben is a New York-style canteen that’s part cafe, part food store, and part Jewish deli renowned for its pastrami on rye sandwiches.

“When our kids were born we’d have to walk to Carlisle Street to get a good coffee because there was nothing around. Now, we’re spoilt for choice with great coffee and food almost on our doorstep,” Ruben says.

With business and pleasure mere metres away, the family have no plans to move from their beloved suburb.

“When my kids were little our favourite place to hang out was Harleston Park. Now we love being so close to the Classic Cinemas, the beach, the mix of architecture and cultures,” Ruben says.

“Elsternwick is a great place for families. Surrounded by lots of schools, the beach and not far from the city it’s just a beautiful relaxed suburb.”

Cover property

20 Shoobra Road, Elsternwick
$2.2 million-plus
Auction at 11am, on November 19
Biggin & Scott, Bill Stavrakis 0418 327 622

This four-bedroom, two-storey house is both a comfortable, functional family home and an entertainer’s paradise.”It is unlike many of the renovated homes that we see these days,” says the agent, Biggin & Scott director Bill Stavrakis.”The owners have hosted loads of parties at the home and the house has been designed with entertaining in mind … At the first week’s open homes it felt like more of a house-warming party than an open house!”Behind the restored facade is a cosy haven complete with original design features – ideal for hosting intimate dinner parties by the open fire. The bay-style leadlight windows, decorative ceilings and polished floorboards have all been beautifully preserved. A contemporary extension on the ground floor features an open-plan living area for day-to-day life, opening out onto an outdoor entertaining area with a generous solar-heated pool, lawn and deck.Plant life surrounding the entertaining area and a deep private garden at the front of the property add a sense of seclusion and privacy to the home, despite being less than 10 kilometres from the CBD.”From the minute you set foot in the place you can sense that it has been a great home, and there is a relaxed resort-like feeling that is really quite special,” Stavrakis says.Other features include three bathrooms, remote double garage, study and an upstairs balcony with views across the alfresco entertaining area.

Or try these . . . 

64 St Georges Road, Elsternwick
$2.4 million-plus
Auction at 12.30pm, on November 19
Buxton, Halli Moore 0403 777 661

Behind this property’s original Edwardian facade is a four-bedroom home distinguished by a striking architect-designed extension.”It has been fully renovated and combines perfectly the period beauty of yesterday with all the modern day comforts,” says the agent, Halli Moore.

42 Bertram Street, Elsternwick
$2.1 million
Auction at 1pm, on November 12
Biggin & Scott, Bill Stavrakis 0418 327 622

Renovations have maximised the connection between indoors and out in this four-bedroom home, creating a stunning, light-filled family haven.The outdoor areas are particularly impressive, featuring a courtyard surrounded by landscaped gardens and a generous sized lawn.

87 Orrong Road, Elsternwick
$1.8-$1.9 million
Auction at 2.30pm, on November 19
Buxton, Tom Davidson 0488 017 500

This home’s Queen Anne facade and 15-foot-high ceilings are complemented by a stylish interior renovation.”Behind the Leyland Cypress hedge is a beautiful example of a period home fused with a modern renovation,” says the agent, Tom Davidson.”Old meets new in a seamless fashion, and the location couldn’t be more convenient.”