Neighbourhoods: We take a look at three of the best in Glebe

An influx of development in Glebe and its western neighbour Forest Lodge means you’ll find a surplus of new apartment listings when trawling for real estate.

Last year residents began moving in to Mirvac’s Harold Park partially complete development, which will eventually be home to about 1200 dwellings and 2500 new residents. And opposite Wentworth Park, construction is under way on Mezzo, which will offer 213 apartments across four, 10-level towers.

But for many buyers, Glebe’s strength lies in its more grounded offerings. From crumbling, three-storey mansions to beautifully restored terraces and reinvented character homes, Glebe retains an interesting and increasingly pricey mix of housing stock.

According to Domain Group data, house prices rose 31 per cent in the six months to August to a median of $1.56 million. There’s precious little on offer under $1 million and a growing number of listings at more than $2 million.

Belle Property Glebe agent James Cahill says despite a bumper winter selling season, the suburb is still going strong.

Buyer numbers are down about 25 per cent but prices are steady, he says. 

“We’re getting lots of inquiry from owner occupiers now, young families with one or two children,” he says. “There are still a couple of investors in the market, a few super fund buyers, but it’s mostly people who really want to move to or stay in Glebe.”

Glebe’s village vibe continues to attract visitors from outside the area and City of Sydney council has recognised this by including the suburb in its Little Book of Sydney Villages, a guide released this year to help people discover the city’s suburban hubs.

Detailing attractions for shoppers, diners, drinkers, walkers and seekers of art and culture, the guide highlights the Glebe Foreshore Walk, harbourside parks, eclectic dining and watering holes plus the myriad book shops and galleries.

1. 156 Bridge Road
About $3 million
4 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 car spaces
Built 2015
Land 540 square metres
Inspect Sat and Thu, 1.30pm-2pm
Agent LJ Hooker Inner City, 0419 555 253
Auction October 31
Not yet traded

It took many years of deliberation before this element of the Abbey redevelopment was finalised.

The site was originally home to Hamilton House, a 19th-century residence designed by Ferdinand Reuss​ that had fallen into such a state of disrepair it was deemed better to rebuild in a similar style.

The result is a brand new home with classic sensibilities, a fitting neighbour for the heritage-listed Abbey that sits on its western border and started life in the 1870s as a Presbyterian church.

Designed in the gothic style by British-born architect Thomas Rowe and used as a restaurant and function centre from 1979 until 2004, it reopened in August as a childcare centre.

Designed for comfortable family living, the new home borrows plenty of cues from its predecessor, from the symmetrical facade with its bay windows to the corrugated iron roof.

A thoroughly modern island kitchen comes with marble benchtops, stainless steel Smeg appliances and breakfast bar seating and serves as a divider between the dining zone and lounge zone.

There are four bedrooms, each with en suite and the master with a dressing room. The home comes with a double garage, ducted airconditioning, level lawns and two north-facing outdoor dining terraces.

Room for improvement: Jazz up the master bedroom with some feature wallpaper.

2. 85 Wigram Road
About $1.9 million
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 car spaces
Built 1929; renovated 2009
Land 278 square metres
Inspect Sat and Wed, 10am-10.30am
Agent Belle Property Glebe, 0417 696 699
Auction October 31
Last traded for $638,000 in 2003

The casual passer-by is unlikely to give special attention to this Californian bungalow which blends into a pleasant streetscape of character homes. But step inside and you’ll find a property vastly different from its conservative neighbours. A stunning contemporary makeover has left little of the original home beyond the front two bedrooms, one of which hosts the master bedroom with a full en suite and access onto the front porch.

Past the home office with its curved walls and wraparound, built-in desk step down to a dining zone, then into the eat-in kitchen which sports high-pitched ceilings with exposed timber work.

The timber detailing is echoed in the timber-wrapped island bench. Step down again into the living room which comes with a built-in entertainment unit. From here step out to the side courtyard, a private garden oasis complete with fishpond.

Other features include ducted airconditioning, solar panels and a double garage with rear lane access.

Room for improvement: Install some feature lighting over the island bench in the kitchen 

3. 6 Bellevue Street 
$1.4 million +
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 car spaces
Built circa 1900; renovated 2000s
Land 141 square metres
Inspect Sat, 10am-10.30am
Agent McGrath Balmain, 0415 253 706
Auction November 14
Last traded for $837,000 in 2003

This well-preserved Victorian terrace has retained plenty of period features, including high ceilings, picture rails, cast iron fireplaces, timber floorboards and a covered lacework balcony.

There are formal living and dining rooms at the front of the home and casual living spaces to the rear. A modern kitchen with laminate benchtops has stainless steel appliances and a gas cooktop and overlooks the casual family room. It opens through double glass doors to a paved courtyard which captures the afternoon sun and doubles as an off-street car space with rear lane access.

There is a bathroom with laundry facilities on this level and a second bathroom upstairs alongside the three bedrooms, the master with built-in wardrobe, fireplace and a balcony with glimpses of the city skyline. A pull-down ladder provides access to a large attic.

Neat and tidy throughout, with neutral white walls, there is plenty of scope to inject the home with your own personality and add value with some cosmetic upgrades.

Room for improvement: Upgrade the courtyard.