Turramurra apartment has balcony bigger than most inner-city houses

Turramurra is a magnet for affluent families and four notable features of the area explain why. First and foremost, Kamahl lives there. 

Second, it’s close to a host of prestigious private schools, including Abbotsleigh, Barker College, Knox Grammar, Pymble Ladies College and Ravenswood.

Third, it’s close to the entrance to the Pacific Motorway (M1), a boon for those lucky enough to also own a beach shack to the north. Just an hour on the road has you at Lake Macquarie or Pearl Beach while two will take you  to Hawks Nest.

Last, it’s leafy, comfy and suburban; close to national parks, tennis courts, golf courses, swimming pools and, again, the coast to the north, all of which make it a great place to lead an active, outdoorsy lifestyle.

This immaculate penthouse apartment does a great job of seeming to be part of the great outdoors while providing all the indoor comforts, including a sleek, high-end kitchen, three light-filled double bedrooms, and two stylish bathrooms.

The vast terrace, however, is the property’s star feature. It’s bigger than the unit and surrounded by treetops that give the illusion you’re in the bush and far from the madding crowd, when in fact you’re seconds from the conveniences of urban life and minutes from a train station. On a clear day, you can see the Southern Highlands.

If that’s not enough outdoor living space for you, there’s another substantial, covered balcony on the north-western corner of the apartment that can be accessed from the main bedroom and the living area.

Bi-fold glass doors on both sides of the living area open up the space to the terrace and the balcony.

This apartment also comes with a remarkable amount of space below ground. The title includes a generous double lock-up garage that would make an excellent workshop, a separate single lock-up garage and a 22-square-metre, secure storage room. The relatively stable temperature down there would be good for wine storage.

Overall, the apartment is elegant and easy care, and the build quality is a cut above. It would make a fine home for downsizers or for a family keen to take advantage of those nearby schools.

The owner says: “We love the feeling of living up in the treetops. The area is peaceful and, with two train stations nearby, it’s easy to get into the city, too.”

Room for improvement: Consider installing an adjustable louvre system over a portion of the terrace, for shade and weather protection on demand.

37/2 Finlay Road, Turramurra
About $1.4 million
3 bed, 2 bath, 3 car
Built 2008
Size 132 square metres internal (239 square metres external)
Strata levy $2246 a quarter
Inspect Wed and Sat, noon-12.40pm
Auction October 17
Agent Ray White Turramurra, 0417 253 633

Need to know: 
Last traded $1 million in October 2011
Highest recorded apartment price in Turramurra (past 12 months) $1,831,000 for 7/20 The Chase Road in June
Median price for units in Turramurra $715,000

Recent sales:
$1.71 million for 13/7-11 Turramurra Avenue in May
$1.39 million for 24/2-6 Warrangi Street in July
$1,281,000 for 4/14 Ray Street in September
Source: Domain Group

Surrounding area:
Turramurra is part of Sydney’s upper north shore. The area is liberally festooned with prestigious private schools and beguiling national parks, including protected tracts of blue gum and turpentine forest. It is also pleasingly close to the entrance to M1 motorway for those who like to escape to the north. The CBD, by contrast, is 17 kilometres and many sets of traffic lights to the south.
Serviced by trains and buses
Close to Ku-ring-gai Chase and Lane Cove national parks; Macquarie University, Turramurra’s shopping village and Avondale Golf Club.