Inviting Wollstonecraft apartment looks over treetops to the harbour

Evidence for the psychological benefits of green space has been growing since the 1980s, when Robert Ulrich showed that surgery patients who could see trees from their hospital windows recovered more quickly than those who looked out at a brick wall. Research has also shown that urban greenery encourages social interaction, another ingredient vital to human wellbeing.

Think of dog walking, community gardens and land care groups, for example.

Lucky, then, the residents of Wollstonecraft who are encircled by a thick band of green, including Berry Island, Badangi Bushland and Gore Cove reserves as well as Greendale and Smoothey parks. These green zones are home to Sydney Red Gums, peppermint trees, lillypillies, wattles, ferns and even rare Forest Red Gums. And along with the trees come the birds, including Tawny Frogmouth owls, fairy wrens, lorikeets, koels and satin bowerbirds. As if to prove the point about social interaction, a Bushcare group has been looking after Badangi Bushland Reserve since 1993.

The entire western side of this airy, immaculate unit looks out towards the treetops of Gore Reserve. There are also partial views of Gore Cove from some of the windows. The unit is not an on-trend showpiece, but rather a charming and inviting home; one in a well-kept block of five in a notably leafy and appealing street.

The unit’s layout, the light, the high ceilings and the banks of timber windows give it a notably open and spacious feel, even though it’s not actually open-plan. It has some pleasing nooks, too – ideal spots for reading, for bookshelves or for displays of beloved objects.

Beware the powerful call to stop and bake cake that emanates from the benchtops in the kitchen. The cook’s space in this apartment boasts a generous island bench, integrated Liebherr fridge-freezer, separate wine fridge and a stainless steel Miele cooker and microwave. There is storage space to burn.

Other features include ducted airconditioning, an internal laundry cupboard, an electric fireplace and storage space in the garage.

The block also shares a small and pleasantly shady swimming pool, located on a timber terrace at the rear of the building. It looks like a prime location for floating around on your back and watching the lorikeets up in the trees.

The agent says: “The bay windows, leafy outlook, high ceilings and abundance of light make this an incredibly inviting space. It feels more like a house than a unit.”

Room for improvement: Consider updating the bathroom cabinetry.

1/70 Milray Avenue, Wollstonecraft
About $1.6 million
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 parking space
Built 1983
Size 144 square metres
Strata levy About $1141 a quarter
Inspect Sat and Thu, noon-12.30pm
For sale
Agent Richardson & Wrench North Sydney 0402 253 864 or 0416 195 877

Need to know:
Last traded $1.25 million in March 2013
Highest recorded apartment price in Wollstonecraft (past 12 months) $2.76 million for 8A/26 Ross Street in June
Median price for units in Wollstonecraft $846,000

Recent sales:
$1.45 million for 4/38 Morton Street in August
$1.25 million for 1A/80-82 Shirley Road in June
$1,185,000 for 2/2A Hume Street in December
Source: Domain Group

Surrounding area:
Wollstonecraft is tranquil and suburban but also just four train stops from the CBD, and three from Chatswood. It is close enough to Crows Nest to bask in some of its glory – the Nest recently took the No. 1 spot, alongside Surry Hills, on a Sydney index of urban liveability – and for its residents to enjoy the top-rated suburb’s embarrassment of restaurants, shops and other amenities.
Serviced by Buses and trains
Close to Gore Cove, Balls Head Bay and loads of green space, including Badangi and Berry Island reserves. Wollstonecraft station is only 300 metres from the property. Crows Nest is just across the other side of the Pacific Highway and the Mater and Royal North Shore hospitals are also close.