Red-hot Red Hill sizzles with demand high and new development on the horizon

Red Hill has been a choice address in Canberra since its earliest days and its appeal was recognised in 1927 by pioneer land agent Harry Calthorpe, whose name lives on through his eponymous heritage-listed house on Mugga Way.

Sophie Luton, of Luton Properties Manuka, says Red Hill’s unbeatable location, close to everything, is one of the key reasons for its enduring popularity.

“It’s next to Manuka and Kingston, Woden is just over the hill and the Parliamentary Triangle and Civic are only minutes away,” she says.

“And the Red Hill reserve means you can be quickly in the bush while still only minutes from top restaurants and bars.”

Luton says the local market has been running strongly in 2017 and demand is high.

Traditional freestanding homes are favourites with families moving into the area while dual occupancy town residences are also popular with downsizers looking for less land with high quality inclusions.

“It’s still possible to find a family home in Red Hill for around $1.1 million, but that’s entry level and would probably need renovation to contemporary living standards – or complete redevelopment,” she says.

“Townhouses begin around the $1 million mark and there are a lot of blocks suitable for dual occupancies.”

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• Related: Red Hill public housing redevelopment lodged

The record price for Red Hill still stands at $7.2 million – a high mark set and held, incredibly, since 2010. A median price for a family home is about $2.2 million.

At the other end of the scale is the redevelopment of public housing close to the Red Hill shops.

“I think it’s going to give that area a real facelift and it’s really positive for the suburb,” Luton says.

A spokesman from the ACT Government says the development application for the Red Hill public housing precinct was approved on June 29.

“That plan outlines the sub-divisions and the block sizes of the development site,” he says.

“It approves the creation of 108 single dwelling sites, four multi-unit sites and six green spaces.

The sales method for the site will be announced later this year, but demolition of the existing buildings could begin as early as next month.

The Brema Group has been appointed as the demolition contractor and will begin with removal of hazardous material and then proceed to structural demolition. That is expected to be completed in March next year.

The development hasn’t been without its issues with local residents initially up-in-arms over what was perceived to be a poor original round of consultation.

Melissa Bennett, chairwoman of the Red Hill Residents’ Group, says a later reset community consultation with the ACT government had delivered an outcome that has been accepted by most members.

“There was a level of outrage after the first consultation where it was felt valid concerns hadn’t been listened to by the government,” she says.

“To their credit, the reset consultation was a much-improved process and it appears to have delivered some significant improvements to the public housing development.”

Bennett says key wins for the community included a reduction in height from six storeys to four and an overall reduction in dwellings.

“There certainly have been some trust issues along the way, but the proof will be in the pudding,” she says.

“We’ll be keenly watching construction to ensure developers aren’t permitted to change the scope of what has been agreed.”

Seeing Red

• Location: It’s a prestigious inner-south suburb that’s close to everything – Manuka, Kingston, Parliamentary Triangle, Civic and more.
• Location: Red Hill’s Mugga Way is undoubtedly one of the Canberra’s dress-circle addresses with some truly impressive homes.
• Location: A connection with nature is retained through Red Hill Reserve with an abundance of flora and fauna.

Close to nature

Red Hill is the perfect location for Campbell Brede who swapped 40 years as a committed Belconnen resident for the inner south.

Campbell and wife Jenny, pictured above,  decided about nine years ago that a new address that was an even distance from work locations in Tuggeranong and Belconnen made a lot of sense.

“Red Hill is like the perfect midpoint – I can be in either place within 20 minutes and it’s only eight minutes to Civic and about the same to Woden,” Campbell says.

The Bredes bought a 1960s house on a typical big Red Hill block, some 2600 square metres, and worked with architect Terry Ring on extending and renovating the home up to contemporary standards.

Long-term living in Red Hill has easily converted the Bredes to all its charms.

“It has a real sense of community and we’ve made many new friends,” Campbell says.

“It’s also got a wonderful connection with nature – the Red Hill Reserve is nearby and we love walking the dog there.

“Our international visitors can’t believe that within a 100-metres or so they can find themselves face-to-face with kangaroos,” Campbell says.

Luxury and space

There are many reasons why Red Hill is a prized location; it’s always been regarded as one of Canberra’s most desirable inner south-suburbs; it’s close to everything and the right address has views to die for.

Number 58 Endeavour Street manages to tick all the right boxes. This modernist-influenced Peter Byfield design has effortlessly combined luxury, space, light and a strong connection with the outdoors highlighted by spectacular vistas from Canberra Airport to Gungahlin.

This two-storey residence delivers quality on every level with high ceilings complemented by beautiful parquetry flooring and double glazed windows.Open-plan family living, floor-to-ceiling windows and bi-fold doors frame a superb chef’s kitchen with marble benchtops, gas cook top and butler’s pantry providing a second hotplate, oven, sink and dishwasher. 

There are three bedrooms on this level.Upstairs, the master retreat offers a sitting area with gas fire, bespoke timber cabinetry and private balcony to enjoy those views. There’s also a fifth bedroom or nursery.Easy-care landscaped gardens, a covered entertainment terrace and sparkling in-ground swimming pool complete the resort-style feel. It gets even better with a five car garage.

Auction: 11am, Saturday, July 29, onsite. Inspect: Contact agents, Richard and Sophie Luton, Luton Properties Manuka 0418 697 844, 0410 750 413.