Posted by admin on 12 November 2010
It wouldn’t raise a mention in many parts of the world, Asia and Europe especially. But new stats from the West End State School show 32% of their students are currently living in local apartments. They have 700 students so that’s a lot of non-house-dwelling primary school kids.
Many Brisbanites still see apartment living as the lifestyle of choice for singles and couples only, but that’s clearly not the case. Families are choosing them for their convenience and often for their price.
Even more reason to ensure we have great parks and local amenities.
Tags: Brisbane apartments, West End State School
Posted in Highgate Hill, South Brisbane and South Bank, West End, real estate marketing | No Comments »
Posted by Rob Honeycombe on 17 September 2010
The Beaumont Apartments at 91 Dornoch Terrace
There’s often chat in the market about “all those big apartment buildings” proposed for the area and how they might impact Highgate Hill. It’s hard to embrace change and especially when it effects our homes and through them our immediate lifestyle.
Ironically though Highgate Hill’s biggest apartment buildings have been a part of our local landscape for many years.
Torbreck, Beaumont and Dornoch Towers all line Dornoch Terrace, prominent on its high ridgeline and soaking in fabulous views. Rising 10 to 13 storeys from the street level these would be tall even if they were down low near the river. And they’re on one of Brisbane’s highest land areas.
Completed in 1960 Torbreck is still Highgate Hill’s most densely populated building with estimates ranging up to 300 residents. Beaumont has 48 apartments, just tipping Dornoch Towers with 45, both buildings having been built in the mid 1970’s.
There are a lot of apartments in the suburb – about half its 2000 dwellings in fact. And for the most part they are little buildings of 6-12 apartments. The challenge for Council, the development community and existing local residents, is to manage the increase in the number of apartments while protecting all that’s important to our lifestyles.
There’s already a long history to learn from.
Tags: Beaumont Apartments Dornoch Terrace, Dornoch Terrace Brisbane, Dornoch Towers Highgate Hill, Torbreck Apartments Highgate Hill
Posted in Brisbane's future & new infrastructure, Highgate Hill | No Comments »
Posted by admin on 19 July 2010
The Residential Tenancies Authority recently released their June quarter stats and analysis by Bees Nees Research shows inner Brisbane’s rents have now remained flat for well over a year. Small drops in some suburbs shows landlords are being cautious and reducing their rents to keep their homes rented.
Bees Nees head of Property Management Annie von Rudzinski said a more balanced market had replaced the strong rental growth of 2007-2008.
“In postcode 4101 for example we have the same median rents for a 2 bed apartment that we did in September 2008 at $450 per week. The appeal of South Brisbane, West End and Highgate Hill is still very much on the rise but saving money in tougher times has drawn some tenants into cheaper areas further out.”
The RTA shows rents are flat right across Brisbane and Ms von Rudzinski believes landlords are reluctant to push for rent increases. “Rising interest rates do make some landlords nervous and that has a flow on effect. To see a drop in popular spots like Fairfield and Annerley (down $10 to $310 per week for a 2 bed apartment) suggests tenants are getting good value. A typical house in that area is still $400 per week, the same level as September 2008.”
One of the few inner city areas to see a rise in the June quarter was a $10 increase for Woolloongabba/Dutton Park apartments.
Tags: Brisbane Property Management, median rents Brisbane, Residential Tenancies Authority
Posted in Brisbane landlords, Brisbane's rental market, Dutton Park, Highgate Hill, South Brisbane and South Bank, West End, Woolloongabba | No Comments »
Posted by admin on 21 June 2010
There’s a mumbling about the market right now that we might be in a quiet spot. But the buyers of Highgate Hill houses don’t seem to have heard! Over the past two weekends there’s been 3 auctions on local houses and all 3 have sold – 1 before auction, 1 under the hammer last weekend and another in the 5 days after its auction.
The bidding hasn’t been frenetic but the buyers were prepared to bid strongly. At prices between $639,000 and $1.5m it’s a sign that this is still a sought-after location.
Posted in Brisbane's sales market, Highgate Hill | No Comments »
Posted by Rob Honeycombe on 8 June 2010
It’s one of those rare times you see the soul of a community – the local school fete! Last Sunday was Queensland Day and West End State School marked the date with their annual “Fiesta”.
The crowds were great, soaking up the live music, international foods and plenty of games and rides for kids.
My kids voted the strawberry and marshmellow sticks (dipped in chocolate) the best they’d ever had!
You’ve got to take your hats off to the parents who volunteer to organise these sort of days. An enormous task!
Tags: West End State School
Posted in Highgate Hill, Inner Brisbane events, South Brisbane and South Bank, West End | 1 Comment »
Posted by admin on 4 June 2010
It’s a big question for families looking to buy in Brisbane’s inner south side suburbs and of course not so important for singles and couples without children. The chance of being able to send your child/children to a GPS school without it costing you thousands or even tens of thousands a year is enough motivation for families to move. While West End, Highgate Hill and South Brisbane exist entirely within the catchment, Woolloongabba only has about a third of its geographical area inside the BSHS boundaries but the suburb’s homes can often be a more affordable option. With a 2009 median average of $555,000 it was $100,000 cheaper than Highgate Hill and West End at that time.
The basic guideline for Woolloongabba is that anything west of the South East Freeway is in the catchment, while anything on the east side is out. Of course it couldn’t be quite that simple and there are three streets that are an exception to the rule. These are Carl St, Regent St and Cornwall St. Before making any house purchases we would recommend you check the BSHS web site.
Tags: Brisbane house prices, Brisbane State High School, BSHS, Buranda Brisbane, buying in woolloongabba, Carl Street Woolloongabba, Cornwall Street Woolloongabba, Gabba Central, Regent Street Woolloongabba, South East Freeway
Posted in Highgate Hill, South Brisbane and South Bank, West End, Woolloongabba | No Comments »
Posted by admin on 26 May 2010
More facts, figures and photo’s than you can poke a stick at here! Historical images of the promotion and construction of the landmark “Torbreck” building on the top of Highgate Hill. Click here to take a look. If you’ve ever lived at Torbreck or you just drive past it and have wondered what’s different about this building you’ll find a lot of answers on this site.
Tags: construction costs Brisbane, Dornoch Terrace Brisbane, Torbreck Apartments
Posted in Highgate Hill | No Comments »
Posted by admin on 21 April 2010
This one caught my eye last time I was in the lobby at Torbreck. Hung proudly for the residents and visitors to enjoy, the inset writing reads “Tapestry of original “Torbreck” 182 Dornoch Terrace, Highgate Hill built in 1875 demolished in 1958. Tapestry by Miss Julie Moynihan, long time resident of Torbreck. Donated 2009.” Not many locals can remember what was there before the first ever high-rise was built but it’s obviously dear memory to Julie.
Do you have pieces of Art showing a local landmark?
Tags: Dornoch Terrace Brisbane, Tapestry, Torbreck Apartments Highgate Hill
Posted in Highgate Hill | No Comments »
Posted by admin on 19 April 2010
The latest stats are out for the rental market in West End, South Brisbane and Highgate Hill. The big news in the data is the recent growth of the rental pool in Brisbane’s inner city. After 3 years of shrinking supply tenants now have more properties to choose from (139 more in this area compared to the end of 2009), largely due to investors returning to the sales market. So it’s encouraging for landlords that rents still snuck up in the March 2010 quarter, with median rent for a 2 bedroom apartment now $460. Of course this is only just back to where we were in June of last year, so it’s a little early to celebrate!. There’s a smaller number of rented houses in the area and their rent also rose – now $480 for a 3 bed.
This is still far and away the most expensive rental destination in Brisbane and the stable rents confirm that the area needs more new apartments to fill demand. While the new developments of 2003 to 2006 did boost supply enormously the number of rental homes on offer to tenants is still not growing at the rate needed.
Note: RTA stats quoted here cover all of postcode 4101 including Highgate Hill and South Brisbane.
Tags: Brisbane rents
Posted in Brisbane's rental market, Highgate Hill, South Brisbane and South Bank, West End | No Comments »
Posted by admin on 17 April 2010
A garage sale in Highgate Hill?… not this time. Just a lonely piano which might have played it’s last note. Not what you expect to see on the driveway of a Dornoch Terrace home – but there it was this early this morning when I was out for my morning walk. If you tried to play it as you walked by we’d love to hear.
Tags: Dornoch Terrace Brisbane, garage sale, Music, piano
Posted in Highgate Hill, just for fun! | No Comments »
