'We feel safe, connected and can relax': What keeps prestige buyers coming back to Brighton

It’s one of Melbourne’s wealthiest suburbs and the first place that springs to mind for a day at the beach. Residents of Brighton love living bayside where they enjoy a happy dose of nature alongside a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

“We seem to be happiest when we’re by the water,” says Matthew Paynter. “We joke about it, but it’s probably a place where we feel safe, connected and can relax.”

As director of the iconic Brighton Baths Health Club, Paynter is in a good position to comment. When he took the reins in 2008, the venue was in a state of disrepair, with a focus on the cafe and restaurant but no love spared on the gym or sea-baths.

Healthy living

Keen to share the lifestyle benefits of the beachfront club with a more diverse group and capitalise on the superb location, Paynter has grown the membership from fewer than 200 to 1000 members and expanded the club’s offerings to provide a more holistic program.

“We’ve dialled down the boys’ club mentality and introduced yoga, meditation and pilates,” he says. “Then there’s the Icebergers, the gym, personal training, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding and beachfit classes.”

Paynter says members include locals, city workers and even people who live interstate and travel for work. “They come here to catch their breath and quiet their minds,” he says.

Club member and Hodges Real Estate Brighton agent Jason Gill grew up in Brighton and was keen to return to the suburb after getting married and having children. “I wanted the kids to grow up here, it’s such a good place to raise families,” he says.

“You’ve got all the local schools, all the sporting clubs, you’re very close to the water and there’s nothing better than going for a walk along the beach on a nice day.”

The beach plays host to another bayside landmark, the colourful Brighton bathing boxes, which regularly attract prices in excess of $300,000 on the rare times they come to market.

Diverse dwellings

Beyond the beach, Brighton offers two cinemas, galleries, a strong restaurant and cafe culture and excellent public transport alongside a wide mix of housing.

Gill says there are still plenty of character homes as well as big contemporary homes and new medium-density offerings. “The townhouse/apartment market is really gaining momentum,” he says.

“There’s a large population of long-term established Brighton residents who don’t want to leave the area but want to downsize, so there’s very good demand for single-level townhouses and apartment-style living.”

Top home in the area

Beautifully configured to make the most of the north-facing back garden and pool, this family home is sprawled across 1410 square metres.

The residence has three living spaces plus a covered deck with built-in barbecue and gas fireplace.

Hodges Real Estate Brighton is selling the home with a $5.4 million-to-$5.94 million price guide.