Glebe: The inner-city village retains community feel and gains upmarket edge

The inner Sydney suburb of Glebe has been attracting residents and visitors for years with its bohemian vibe and village atmosphere. And its ongoing transformation is adding greater appeal.

Located three kilometres southwest of Sydney’s CBD, Glebe is bordered by Blackwattle and Rozelle bays and parts of Sydney Harbour. Annandale and Forest Lodge are located to the west with Ultimo on the east.

“Glebe has everything,” says long-term resident Catherine Garcia. “It’s so close to the city and has heaps of public transport options yet you’re able to walk to many places, such as Darling Harbour, Newtown, Chippendale, Surry Hills and around Sydney Harbour.”

Garcia says in the 11 years she has lived on Glebe Point Road she has seen many changes. “When I first moved here there were a number of businesses that had been here for a long time,” she says. “But after a few years, the council came in and dug up the streets and a lot of them moved out or shut down.”

Garcia says the resulting improvements to the streets and landscape attracted new businesses, and in the past three years in particular a number of new bars have opened, such as Timbah, Mr Falcon’s and Little Guy.

“Improvements were also made to the Glebe Foreshore walk, which goes from Bicentennial and Jubilee parks to the Sydney Fish Markets in Pyrmont and along Rozelle Bay and Blackwattle Bay,” she says. “It’s also well-serviced for shopping or the movies at Broadway and for places to eat with a wide choice of cafes and bars.”

The Little Guy bar along Glebe Point Road. Photo: Instagram

Local business owner Edrick Santos agrees that Glebe has it all. Santos set up the cafe In The Annex on Ross Street four years ago and has seen a number of changes in that time.

“When I first set up business, most of the cafes were sandwich and coffee shops,” he says. “That’s changed and has been helped by the arrival of developments such as the Harold Park Tramsheds down the road, which has added some big names. This has had a huge impact on the area including on the price of property.”

But Santos says Glebe still retains its community feel. “Glebe has always been known for its cafes and late-night restaurants,” he says. “Now it’s become more upmarket – Glebe Point Diner on Glebe Point Road is a good example.”

He adds people like this area because it retains an inner-west feel but is so close to the city. “You can literally walk there – as many found out during the recent Pokemon Go phase.”

Ian Bennett, Director of Residential Colliers International, says what’s happening in Glebe is similar to what’s been happening in a lot of other areas that have undergone rezoning from an industrial or commercial precinct to a residential precinct.

“There are also huge changes with the new transport corridors which Glebe will benefit from,” he says. “The light rail, for example, will eventually go out to Randwick.”

Clipper Cafe along Glebe Point Road. Photo: Destination NSW

Colliers International is the agent for the new West End development, located on the corner of Cowper and Elger Street in Glebe ­­– due for completion in late 2018. “The development is ideally located near private schools and to places such as the Broadway shopping centre, which you can walk to,” Bennett says. “You’ve also got the universities close by and these amenities tick all the boxes for investors but also for people living in the area.”

Ben Hopkins, Director of Roxy-Pacific Australia, says Glebe is that one great suburb that is located close to everything. “It has been transformed over time with great changes that embrace the Glebe culture,” he says. “And this has been reflected in our building aesthetics.”

Hopkins says property styles in Glebe and ultimo includes Victorian houses as well as industrial warehouses, and the West End development blends these the two, with a one-off chance to own a unique piece of architecture. “But its proximity to so many features and being so near the CBD will be key to attracting a big buyer and renter pool, which will range from university students, to young couples that want to live near the city, as well as the downsizers who want to remain in Glebe and stay a part of the village.”

West End apartments’ chic warehouse design. Photo: Supplied

Penthouses and gardens on the top. Photo: Supplied

Reflecting the rise of industrial chic for residential buildings. Photo: Supplied

West End apartments interior design. Photo: Supplied