Neighbourhoods: Balwyn North

Comfortable. Middle-class. Exclusive. Boring. These are all labels that have been equally applied to Balwyn and neighbouring Balwyn North. In fact, one Balwynian wag once jibed the north was even blander because Balwyn at least had a library.

But Balwyn North is changing … rapidly. There’s a new liveliness, tempo and diversity sweeping this upwardly mobile leafy borough, 10 kilometres east of the city. Almost at every turn within its boundaries – Belmore Road to the south, Burke Road west, Winfield Road east and a green wedge both sides of the Eastern Freeway north – there are new houses going up.

“The rate of development has sped up dramatically in the past few years, particularly the past six to 12 months,” confirms Hocking Stuart agent Laurence Murphy. “There’s huge demand from local and overseas buyers for old homes that get knocked down and rebuilt.”

In the main, the houses being bowled over – often in the hands of the original owners, or their estate – are the cream and clinker bricks built during the post-war 1950s, which had replaced the orchards, vineyards and small farms dotting the area since it was first surveyed in the mid-1800s. Greythorn, now part of Balwyn North, was developed later.

The new houses – often huge two-storey dwellings, sometimes mimicking traditional architectural styles such as French provincial or neo-Georgian – are being largely bought or built by Asian buyers looking to reside within the prized Balwyn High School zone. “Sixty-five percent of properties are sold to Asian buyers,” estimates Noel Jones agent Dean Sun.

William Chen of Jellis Craig says the suburb’s generous blocks, closeness to amenities and other wealthy eastern neighbourhoods as well as minimal heritage overlay, allowing rebuilds, also have galvanised the high demand.

Murphy estimates 15 to 20 per cent of the suburb has been rebuilt over the past decade: “Give it another five to 10 years, half of the homes will be relatively new.”

Locals like

The schooling, particularly Balwyn High School, as well as the many nearby private schools; the convenience of getting in and out of the city; as well as the amenities of other prestige eastern suburbs; transport and parks.

Best addresses

Anything close to Balwyn High School; properties on the high point of Balwyn with views; streets within “the Paris end”, bounded by Balwyn, Doncaster and Belmore Roads, for multi-million-dollar luxury homes on large blocks.

Prospects

Balwyn North’s median house price jumped by 13.6 per cent over the year ending December 2014, while unit prices slipped by 3.2 per cent. “High levels of local residential infrastructure and amenities particularly schools and transport will ensure Balwyn North remains a leader in prices growth and buyer demand through 2015,” says Domain Group senior economist Andrew Wilson.

Where else you might try

If you’re trying to buy within the Balwyn High School zone, there aren’t many options; although Camberwell, Canterbury and Kew are possible, if opting for a private education. Bulleen, Doncaster, Surrey Hills, Mont Albert North and Kew East are comparable better-priced areas.

Three of the best in Balwyn North

1. 23 Rookwood Street
$4.8 million-$4.9 million
5 bed, 5 bath, 5 car
Built 2015
Land size 650 square metres
Sale Private
Inspect By appointment only
Agent Noel Jones Balwyn, Dean Sun 0400 699 682
Last traded 2009 (demolished)
More photos: Domain.com.au

Largish plots, with a mix of old and new housing in and around the intersection of Doncaster and Balwyn Roads, have locals dubbing this pocket “the Toorak of Balwyn North”. If there was any doubting it, you only need look at this new three-level French provincial-styled mansion, designed by prominent Melbourne architect Phillip Mannerheim. The house is the epitome of the kind of style and luxury you’d commonly find on the other side of the Yarra. But it’s also of similar scale.

While the front is certainly grand, it isn’t until you enter that the enormity and grandeur of the house, partially hidden by the sloping block, is revealed. There’s a wonderful openness and flow downstairs front to back with formal and informal living/dining and generously proportioned rooms throughout, assisted by large picture windows. Sweeping panoramic views to the north from two balconies also add to the sense of space and volume. The lower ground is all about recreation: gym, spa, sauna and theatrette. Here, too, is a wine cellar, six-car garage and a lift to all levels.

But it’s the quality of the design and build, the fittings and finishes (marble is extensively used), but also the meticulous attention to detail that make this property special. The ritzy latticed ceiling, soft cornicing, squared columns and wall panelling, the hidden file room (to keep the study tidy), mesh-panelled cupboards (for speakers) and marble-clad rangehood – these are just some of the many hidden treasures. 

Room for improvement: All that’s needed is the owner’s touch: greenery on the balconies, splashes of colour inside, perhaps the odd pendant light.

2. 99 Longview Road
$2.2 million+
5 bed, 3 bath, 2 car
Built 1999
Land size 730 square metres
Auction 2pm, May 2
Inspect Noon-12.30pm, Saturday 
Agent Jellis Craig Hawthorn, William Chen 0438 383 336
Last traded September 2005
More photos: Domain.com.au

The owners had their eyes on three properties. But 10 minutes inside this neo-Georgian won them over. It was the elegance of the property that did it: the columns loosely demarcating the clean white-tiled hallway from the spacious open carpeted formal living and dining area; the detailing, like the cornicing and scalloped ceilings; and stylish drapes with swags and cascades, which still hang throughout the house. The curved timber and steel staircase, including a wall recess for vase or some similar decorative piece, leading to the upstairs bedrooms add a grand touch too. So do the french doors: the main bedroom has no less than four sets.

But the atrium-styled lightwell in between the formal front of the house and the relaxed rear – accommodating family room, meals and kitchen – clinched it for the owners. Not only does it push light into the property, it breathes life into the house as well, a small green oasis amid the cool-white surfaces.

Elegance aside, the house is well-appointed for a large family: upstairs, three bedrooms for children, shared bathroom, and a main bedroom, which has a balcony offering leafy views west, as well as a sizeable walk-in wardrobe with his and hers sides leading to an en suite with spa bath (french doors can close off each of the room’s parts). A downstairs bedroom and bathroom, if not needed, doubles nicely as a home office.

Room for improvement: While the tiered back garden is stylishly presented, there’s scope for a pool, particularly if a family with kids were to buy the property. The bathrooms also are possibly due a refresh.

3. 1/3 Rangeview Grove
$1.2 million+
3 bed, 3 bath, 2 car
Built  2008
Land size 338 square metres
Auction Noon, April 18
Inspect 1pm-1.30pm, Saturday 
Agent Fletchers Balwyn North, Jack Peng 0404 934 497
Last traded for $1.35 million, March 2014
More photos: Domain.com.au

Large single homes make up the lion’s share of new developments in Balwyn North. Multi-unit developments and multiple townhouses on a block are less common. It’s a situation unlikely to change, given recent zoning changes.

Which makes this street-facing townhouse – one of three – attractive to buyers who are looking for all the benefits of living in Balwyn North without having to stump up the $2 million to $3 million that single dwellings can often sell for.

But it’s also the kind of property with a price tag that may suit investors as well as downsizers, who have sold their existing home on a large block and are looking for alternative accommodation that’s comfortable and low-maintenance.

This townhouse offers this. It isn’t grand; it’s simply good, low-key living. The house is set back from the street, providing ample front yard. Inside, an open study and living room sit either side of the entrance. Further in are the kitchen and dining area and, off to the side, the main family area, with access to an alfresco patio, with vergola, north-facing grassed yard and two-car garage. Upstairs is standard townhouse: three bedrooms, the main with en suite and walk-in wardrobe, a shared bathroom and open retreat.

But it is the house’s location that can’t be overlooked: a seven-minute radius on foot to Balwyn High School and Balwyn North Primary, the shopping village on Doncaster Road, public transport and Myrtle and Macleay Parks.

Room for improvement: Given there is a downstairs bathroom, the open front living room can be closed off with, say, bi-folds, to create an additional bedroom, if needed, for guests or elderly family.