After a tense auction between two bidders, this home in the Sydney suburb of Balmain sold for $2.726 million. Here are the highlights from our live stream.
Balmain could become home to a gaggle of Google workers if the technology giant moves its Sydney headquarters to the White Bay Power Station.
UrbanGrowth NSW is negotiating directly with Google Australia about the redevelopment of the power station to deliver “a global centre for high-tech jobs and innovation”.
Agent Paul Cooper of Coopers Agency says if successful, the move would bring more people into the suburb, leading to price increases for both sale and rental properties.
Bifold doors open onto a new deck at 46 Harris Street, Balmain. Photo: Supplied
“Google have a culture where they prefer their employees to walk, ride or row to work, so they would like people to live nearby,” he says.
Cobden & Hayson Balmain agent Samantha Elvy says if Google moved in, it would reconfirm Balmain’s position as a thriving inner-city hub.
“The Bays Precinct is going to be an exciting hub for the area and it will be great if Google goes in,” she says. “It’s a hip company that will underpin the eclectic funkiness of Balmain and Rozelle.”
The living areas at 108B Darling Street, Balmain, showcase a double-height wall of glass. Photo: Supplied
Prices in the peninsula have dropped this year, according to Domain Group data, with houses down about 5 per cent over the 12 months to September to a median price of $1,716,500. Units are down just over 2 per cent for the same period to a median price of $910,000.
Yet agents have seen little sign of a slowing market.
“We found growth was very high again, which was unexpected,” McGrath Balmain agent Cindy Kennedy says. “It just seems to be a really popular place for people to live with a very wide demographic.”
The penthouse at A10/1 Buchanan Street, Balmain, enjoys views of the Harbour Bridge and city skyline. Photo: Supplied
Cooper says the market has been starved of property in 2016 which has had a positive effect on pricing.
“Our main category of sellers comes from people who are upsizing or downsizing, but these sellers haven’t been in the marketplace this year and as a result [of reduced stock levels] prices have been consistent and growing,” he says.
![46 Harris Street.](http://web.archive.org./web/20161203144937im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/k/7/s/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1480641475249.png)
1. 46 Harris Street
$2.9 million
5 bed 3 bath 1 car
Built 1890s; renovated 2016
Land 234 square metres
Inspect Sat, 1pm-1.30pm; Wed, 6pm-6.30pm
Agent Cobden & Hayson Balmain, 0408 664 774
Auction December 10
Last traded for $1,425,000 in 2010
See more at: domain.com.au/2013220885
This Victorian terrace has undergone a top-to-toe cosmetic renovation introducing a fresh colour scheme, new floors, a modern kitchen and new bathrooms. Agent Samantha Elvy says a great addition is the new studio, built over the existing garage, which has also had a makeover so that it can be used as an entertaining space with bifold doors opening onto a new deck. A bright living room with two walls of windows captures the northern light and looks over the landscaped garden. The stone and gas kitchen comes with a built-in breakfast nook and an integrated fridge-freezer. There is one bedroom on this level and three more upstairs, one with fireplace and balcony and one wrapped in glass that would make a lovely second living room or office. The property is metres from Darling Street shops, cafes and city buses.
Room for improvement: Update the timber stairwell to match the rest of the decor.
![108B Darling Street.](http://web.archive.org./web/20161203144937im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/k/7/n/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1480641468733.png)
2. 108B Darling Street
$1.9 million
3 bed 2 bath 1car
Built 2000
Land 208 square metres
Strata levy $750 a quarter
Inspect Sat, 10.45am-11.15am; Tue, 6.30pm-7pm
Agent McGrath Balmain, 0404 000 570
Auction December 17
Last traded for $1,525,000 in 2009
See more at: domain.com.au/2013231256
Enjoy views over Johnstons Bay while you shower in this townhouse, one of a pair in Balmain East, only 450 metres from the ferry wharf. Entry from the street is into the upper level where you’ll find the three bedrooms, the master with bay views from both the bedroom and en suite. Head downstairs to the living areas which showcase a double-height wall of glass overlooking the deck and a level lawn capturing glimpses of the city skyline. A sleek, white kitchen has sky windows overhead to maximise natural light and features stainless steel appliances, a gas cooktop and a glass splashback. There is a separate laundry with guest toilet and access to the secure car space. The property comes with airconditioning and automated glass louvres.
Room for improvement: Add some plants to the back garden.
![Buchanan Street.](http://web.archive.org./web/20161203144937im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/2/k/7/h/image.imgtype.articleLeadwide.620x349.png/1480641461489.png)
3. A10/1 Buchanan Street
$1.8-$1.9 million
4 bed 3 bath 2 car
Built 2000
Size 191 square metres
Strata levy $2487 a quarter
Inspect Sat, 3pm-3.45pm; Thu, 6pm-6.30pm
Agent Coopers Agency, 0410 510 248
Auction December 17
Last traded for $710,000 in 1999
See more at: domain.com.au/2013233593
This penthouse is one of only three, four-bedroom apartments in the Dockside complex, a development of 82 apartments with a central, 25-metre heated pool surrounded by manicured gardens. The views stretch from the Harbour Bridge, across the city skyline and White Bay to the Anzac Bridge. A combined living and dining room with parquetry floors opens to a partially covered north-east facing balcony. There is a stone-topped kitchen with stainless steel gas appliances, a full bathroom, a guest powder room and a separate laundry. There are three bedrooms on this level and the master bedroom upstairs comes with an en suite and walk-in wardrobe. Agent Paul Cooper estimates the apartment would rent for $1300 a week.
Room for improvement: Add a feature wall in the main bedroom.