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Redfern Property Market Shows Double-Digit Rise Amidst Lockdown Restrictions

Though living circumstances might have changed during the pandemic, with more people avoiding inner-city areas in favour of a sea-change or tree-change, Redfern posted double-digit property market growth from October 2020 to September 2021 and remains one of the suburbs to watch in the Sydney property market.

Highlights

Property prices in Redfern grew by 24.14 per cent despite Covid lockdown uncertainty and upheaval.
The median house price is now at $1,800,000 for the period of October 2020 to September 2021.
The unit market also increased to 4.71 per cent despite a lull in apartment buying activities across Sydney due to border closures.

House Price Growth

From October 2020 to September 2021, Redfern’s property market grew by 24.14 per cent, per data from Property Market Updates. Despite the lockdown gloom, market confidence remains high and resilient in this suburb, as 107 properties sold during this period within an average of 35 days on market.

House sales were mostly swift, coming in under a month for three-bedroom homes in Redfern, where the median house price now sits at $1,800,000. Without a doubt, the diversity of this suburb — with dwelling options ranging from public housing, to trendy studios, stunning warehouse conversions, and charming Victorian-era terraces — continues to have a wider appeal to buyers looking for places their buck.

The transformation of Redfern from a formerly industrial, uninviting inner city area into an inner city urban haven has been attracting more families who prefer the conveniences and amenities of city living. With pocket parks next to pre-schools or primary schools and several unique shops close to everything, Redfern has drawn a number of inquiries from young professionals with kids.

In September 2021, a gorgeous, fully transformed four-bedroom terrace house on Great Buckingham Street, one of Redfern’s highly-coveted locations, sold at $4.65 million, the highest price for the period. This elegantly updated house, with its own garden and parking space, is only 50 metres next to the heritage-listed Redfern Park and a short walk to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School, the Sydney Boys High School, and the Inner Sydney High School.

Unit Price Growth

The unit market in Redfern remained strong and in high demand compared to the rest of Sydney, despite the lack of student renters during the border lockdowns, with buyers sensing numerous opportunities to invest. In fact, Redfern’s apartment sales grew by 4.17 per cent for the period of October 2020 to September 2021, with 181 units sold within an average of 33 days on market.

Though Redfern’s median unit price is still not back to its pre-pandemic status, buyers’ interest has been largely sustained because this suburb’s unit market is still more affordable. There’s no question that Sydney has one of the most expensive property markets in the world, but smart and keen buyers could still snap up a lovely inner city unit for less than a million in Redfern.

About Redfern

Situated just three kilometres to the south of Sydney CBD, Redfern is a solid example of an affordable, gentrifying suburb with a strong community spirit. Home to Indigenous people and a vibrant art scene, Redfern has a rich cultural heritage that thrives in the midst of its modern transformation.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

After a series of work done on its landscaping, streets, and parks, Redfern has become a child-friendly, pet-friendly, and cycling-friendly city with access to heaps of bars, cafes, and restaurants. Though the conveniences of city life and commercial developments are there, the hustle and bustle in the streets are replaced by calming, well-kept green spaces everywhere.

Redfern has an eclectic mix of residents. Apart from the Indigenous communities, generations of Italian and Greek immigrants, Russian families, young Sydney families, and single professionals have called this place their home over the years, contributing to the fabric of the suburb’s cosmopolitan lifestyle.

“Redfern is becoming an inner city suburb on the watch! With recent developments, government changes, residential and commercial growth, it’s fast becoming the new Surry Hills.”
Brendan A

” I love this area sooooooooooooooooo much. I walk home from the city at 1.30am every weekend and I am never affraid. It is so well lit and so clean and nice that no one bothers you. To me, Redfern is THE place to be in Sydney for affordability, cleanliness, and lifestyle.”
Melissa

“I had lived in George Street in Redfern since 2006, and it is perfectly positioned in arguably one of Redfern’s finest streets. It is also a short walk to Prince Alfred Park, Central Station, and the CBD. Recently, Prince Alfred Park has been fully renovated and there are a lot of more new shops, fitness centre opening in this area. I can easily drive or walk to Broadway shopping centre, Chinatown, University of Sydney, UTS, and beaches.”
Richard

Look: The Redfern On George St Restored To Former Glory

Photo credit: The Redfern/Google Maps

The Redfern has been restored to its former glory, opening its doors once again as a neighbourhood pub where locals can come together for great food and creative cocktails.

Read: Hospitality Group Breathes New Life Into Historic Alexandria Hotel

Did you know that before the site became home to various establishments, such as bars, restaurants, and retail spaces since 1990, it was first a neighbourhood pub for more than a hundred years?

The Victorian building, situated on George St and just a few minutes walk from the Redfern Station, was established in 1853. It began as a small pub known as the ‘Royal Albert Hotel.’ During the early 1900’s, a second level was added to the building as it opened as The Court House Hotel.

When hospitality group W. Short Hospitality acquired the site five years ago, they decided to restore it in its original form as a pub.

“The Redfern boasts a true-to-its-name Public Bar on the ground floor. The façade has been entirely transformed with teal tiles and stained timber frames around the windows looking out to the streets of Redfern,” stated in their website.

Highlights on the menu include classics such as pasta, pizza, schnitzel, and burgers in addition to a ‘secret’ pasta and pie by the slice that will be launched every week.

With a menu sure to please all taste buds, 26 tapped beers on offer, along with a selection of wines, live sports on TV, The Redfern will surely be a place where locals can hang out comfortably.

It’s located in the same building as Misfits, a retro-inspired bar also owned and operated by the W. Short Hospitality. It promises a livelier venue, where you can dance and party whilst sipping on contemporary cocktails.

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The Redfern is open daily, from 10:00 a.m. until late. Walk-ins are welcome but they encourage bookings as tables can be limited at times. Visit their website to book a table or follow them on Facebook and on Instagram @theredfernhotel for updates.

In compliance with NSW’s new regulations for hospitality venues, The Redfern requires proof of vaccination for all guests. For more information about the state’s updated Covid-19 regulations, visit www.nsw.gov.au.

Hospitality Group Breathes New Life Into Historic Alexandria Hotel

Photo credit: Save the Alex Pub/Tumblr

Sydney’s historic Alexandria Hotel is now undergoing renovations and will reopen as ‘Backyard at The Alex’ before 2021 ends. It will be a family and dog-friendly outdoor space where the community can come to dine, drink, and socialise.

Read: Scape Redfern To Accommodate Returning International Students In December 2021

Merivale, the current owners of Alexandria Hotel, has not announced an exact opening date for Backyard at the Alex, but it’s anticipated to open by the end of 2021, most likely before the Christmas season.

What to Expect from ‘Backyard at The Alex’

Backyard at the Alex will be a pop-up outdoor community hub that will highlight a large garden outback. The garden will be centred around a basketball court and will have communal tables and grandstand seating.

The Alexandria Residents’ Action Group revealed the venue will have an outdoor viewing screen that will once again be available to cheer on the Sydney Swans and for other sporting events.

“The focus is on the return of the community hub that we fought to retain, rather than the destination venue that might have been expected from Merivale,” shared the Alexandria Residents’ Action Group.

As for food, guests can order from the rotating food trucks, which will feature menu items such as chicken schnitzels from Wholly Schnit and Yakitori-style bamboo skewers from Firepop, and a pop-up kitchen serving Merivale favourites.

A Win for the Community

Backyard at The Alex’s transformation is a big win for the locals, who fought hard to save the hotel from impending demolition. Back in 2015, locals formed Alexandria Residents’ Action Group to object to a development application, which involves knocking down the hotel to construct residential blocks in its place.

The developers initially proposed to build 28 apartments over four storeys and later revised the plan to 26 apartments over seven storeys.

The locals’ campaign resulted in more than 500 written objections and thousands of signatures on a petition to Sydney City Council. The developers took the matter to the Land and Environment Court, where over 100 people turned up to the hearing to object.

In 2016, it appears the locals’ prayers have been answered because hospitality giant Merivale bought the hotel for $10 million, announcing its plans to preserve the front bar and transform the courtyard into a vibrant space for the community.

“Institutions like this must be preserved, they reflect our history and help shape our culture – especially when they mean as much to their local community as The Alex does. This outcome is a great reward for the passion and character of the community who fought so hard to save this property where a hotel has stood for almost 150 years,” said Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes in a media release.

About the Alexandria Hotel

The Alexandria Hotel photographed not long after completion, circa 1930s (Photo credit: Save the Alex Pub/Tumblr)

Catherine Goodfellow, a widow who lived in Redfern, was the original lessee of the property. Goodfellow initiated the development of Alexandria Hotel and it was trading as Alexandria Family Hotel in 1874.

In 1879 Catherine Goodfellow offered the leasehold of her substantial property for sale, which included the Alexandria Hotel.

It was described as “most substantially erected brick premises on stone foundation, slate roof, containing balcony, bar, side entrance, 8 rooms and kitchen, with cellar in basement, good yard – along with four “brick verandah cottages”, a shop and dwelling, butcher’s shop, two building allotments on Raglan Street and 10 allotments of land on which stood cottages and Alexandria Council Chambers.”

The new leaseholder, Mathew McNamee, sublet the major brewers Tooth & Co for 15 years. When the Commissioner for Railways conveyed the property title to Tooth & Co they acted quickly to modernise the property.

The Alexandria Hotel was designed by the prominent architectural firm of Rudder & Grout, which designed many hotels for Tooth & Co across NSW during the 1920s and 1930s. The firm also designed some of the state’s most significant public swimming pools during the 1930s. A number of Rudder & Grout’s hotels are located within the City of Sydney.

Kepos Street Kitchen in Redfern Prepares to Reopen, Takeaway Dinner Packs Remain

Kepos Street Kitchen, one of Redfern’s popular breakfast cafes specialising in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes with a twist, is preparing to re-open after more than 100 days in lockdown and the staff couldn’t be more excited to welcome the diners now that restrictions are easing down in Sydney.

If you miss having authentic spanakopita and shakshuka or dining in-store or al fresco on a beautiful Sydney day, it won’t be long before the cafe welcomes you back. Beginning Monday, 18 Oct 2021, Kepos Street Kitchen will serve dine-in customers for breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Booking for a table isn’t required as the cafe will welcome walk-in guests.

Photo Credit: KepposStreetKitchen/Instagram

CHECK UPDATED RE-OPENING MENU

In anticipation of the return of normal business trading, the restaurant is hiring enthusiastic waitstaff who are willing to be trained and can work weekend shifts. Trading hours at Kepos Street Kitchen will not include evenings so interested job applicants will have their nights free.

However, for customers planning to have Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes for dinner, the restaurant’s food packs will remain on the menu, which means they could pick up takeaway orders at the Redfern site themselves or order online for home deliveries every Wednesday to Saturday.

The standard dinner pack can feed two to four people who would enjoy a feast of coriander-crusted slow-roasted lamb shoulder, cauliflower salad (with mint, parsley, walnuts, pistachios, and cranberries), hummus, and pita pockets.

At-home customers may also order the Mezze Boxes or Bake at Home Boxes of their choice with a few extras (dips and desserts)

ORDER ONLINE

Kepos Street Kitchen is from Israeli-born chef and owner Michael Rantissi. Diners can’t get enough of his breakfast falafels (served with hummus, tomato, cucumber, labneh, pickled chile, and soft-boiled egg) or his egg dishes and pastries.

For store updates, follow the cafe’s Instagram.

Delicious food and vibes! The Mediterranean cuisine is authentic and very nutritious! The staff are lovely and sweet and it’s great to see Michael’s great smile as he flits through. Also love that Michael set up the deli during covid, it’s perfect for hosting with delicious meals!
Priya Singh-Gregory

The cafe is gorgeous and well situated. Service was friendly and fantastic and the hot chocolate was delicious and not too sweet. But the food blows all that away!! The falafel for breakfast dish was amazing, the hummus was flavourful and i would just highly recommend going there if you are in Sydney at all.
Roase Baulch

We had a lovely breakfast at Kepos with friendly staff and a great non-standard offering of Mediterranean inspired dishes. The labneh was particularly notable and halloumi cooked to perfection. There’s Even a Fridge packed full ofgoodies to take home with you
David Maddison

Scape Redfern To Accommodate Returning International Students In December 2021

Photo credit: Free-Photos/Pixabay

Redfern will welcome hundreds of returning international students to NSW by the end of 2021 as the pilot plan for their return under COVIDSafe standards has been given the green light.

Read: Redfern Station Upgrades: Platform Excavation, Piling Work Continue at North Eveleigh and Marian Street

The students will undergo a 14-day quarantine period in Scape Redfern, a 24-storey apartment block along Eveleigh St, which can accommodate up to 650 students to COVIDSafe standards approved by NSW Health and NSW Police.

All participating students will be required to be fully vaccinated with a TGA-recognised COVID-19 vaccine and strict quarantine protocols will be in place. The $100 million Scape Redfern also features airflow systems, door sensors and contactless access points to help combat the spread of COVID-19.

The Commonwealth Government approved of the pilot plan this week, allowing around 500 students to return to Australia through two chartered flights.

According to Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional New South Wales, Industry and Trade John Barilaro, the staggered return of students was stage one of a pilot that would slowly expand and evolve, as vaccination rates continue to rise in NSW and internationally.

“Importantly, this plan will not come at the expense of any Australian citizen or resident wishing to return home,” Mr Barilaro said. Whilst students will shoulder the airfares, universities would cover the quarantine costs.

The first phase of the pilot plan would prioritise PhD students, those who have nearly completed degrees, and those who are enrolled in medicine and health-related courses.

Education partners including Australian Catholic University, Macquarie University, The University of Newcastle, The University of Sydney, UNSW, UTS, University of Wollongong and Western Sydney University, plus independent providers the International College of Management Sydney, Kaplan, Navitas, RedHill and Study Group, have signed up to the industry-funded pilot plan.

Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres added that NSW was the top destination in Australia for international students, having more than 57,000 students that are currently overseas. Many of the students are desperate to return, resume their studies, take part-time jobs, or simply connect with friends and continue their journey in Australia.

Bart Jr in Redfern Reinvents With a Lockdown Menu

“Necessity is the mother of invention.” Bart Jr has grasped the wisdom of this statement as it reinvents and innovates its lockdown menu to thrive in Redfern amidst the pandemic.

In the last few weeks, this small neighbourhood bar on Pitt Street has been serving up extraordinary takeout food and creative deals that distinguish itself from other eateries.

The star of Bart Jr’s latest food offering is this creamiest rock lobster roll, filled with delicious chunks of lobster meat from the coast of Western Australia and king prawns from the Clarence River. Beautifully set on buttered and grilled hotdog buns with tarragon, chive, horseradish and lettuce, a bite of this delightful sandwich will transport you to the salty breezes and warmness of the beach even while you’re stuck at home.

The rock lobster rolls are pre-ordered and served for takeout during the weekends only. Bart Jr owner George Woodyard had the intention of offering the sandwich as a one-off but feedback from customers online convinced him to include the choice for its lockdown menu. Mr Woodyard also offers a Bart Lobster Roll Picnic Pack for five people for $250.

For vegan foodies, Bart Jr introduced the biggest and juiciest Shroom Burger in early September. It comes with portobello mushroom, roasted in our fermented chilli butter, w Swiss cheese, green goddess Mayo, white onion, on a warm milk roll.

For easy pasta meals to prepare at home, Bart Jr has created a line of heat-at-home options.

Bart Jr shares the latest limited menu and weekly deals on its Instagram page, where customers may also DM for orders. Pick up is every Thursday to Saturday between 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m. at the Bart Mart, a special takeaway window.

Sunsuper Buys Locomotive Workshop in South Eveleigh

The Locomotive Workshop, a heritage landmark in South Eveleigh and part of the former Australian Technology Park precinct off Redfern, has been acquired by Sunsuper from Mirvac for $231 million.

The property, which stands as a two-storey brick and sandstone structure spanning 31,000-square metres, boasts of tenants like technology firms Quantium and Post Op Group, marketing company OMG, as well as key retailers like The Grounds and Romeo’s IGA.

In recent years, the Locomotive Workshop has been redeveloped as an A-grade innovation hub and commercial space whilst maintaining its heritage artefacts and features.

Reports cited that the deal took place after Sunsuper, Australia’s largest superannuation funding firm, shifted its commercial assets from AMP Capital to Mirvac. Sunsuper has another asset in South Eveleigh, investing in the 55,000-square metre complex, The Foundry.

Mirvac acquired the rights to develop Sydney’s retired rail yard in 2015 and completed its redevelopment in May 2021. The precinct is within walking distance to the Redfern train station and about five kilometres off the CBD. The site has heaps of shared public spaces, its very own village green, sports facilities and a scooter park, and public artworks displays featuring local artists.

Ben Schubert, the Knight Frank executive that facilitated the sale, said that despite the pandemic, demand for Sydney’s fringe office spaces remains strong as investors want to gain assets in “emerging locations” that will benefit from upgrades and redevelopments.

South Eveleigh has become very attractive to the technology and creative industries and the Locomotive Workshop has been 97 percent leased just before its completion in mid-2021.

Redfern Station Upgrades: Platform Excavation, Piling Work Continue at North Eveleigh and Marian Street

Improvement work continues at the Redfern Station to provide all commuters with better accessibility and connection between stations. Excavation, piling and installation work are ongoing at Platforms 1 and 2/3, as well as sections of North Eveleigh and Marian Street.

Noise and temporary closures of pedestrian access will be expected as materials and equipment are brought in and out of the site. However, disruptions may also arise based on current public health orders.

In July, Redfern Station construction activities were paused for at least two weeks in accordance with the NSW Government lockdown orders. Upon the resumption of work, all people at the worksite have been ascribing to the state’s COVID-19 requirements and will continue to observe these safety and preventive measures.

Meanwhile, upgrades to the Redfern Station in the following weeks will deliver these outcomes:

Remaining bridge beam installation across Platforms 1 to 6
Service route and drainage installation across platforms
Excavation and piling on Platform 1
Relocation work on the heritage building on Platform 1
Changes to overhead wiring
Various signalling works
Delivery and removal of plant, equipment and materials

By September, the construction of a new shared zone on Little Eveleigh Street will begin, impacting the thoroughfare between Wilson Street and Ivy Lane. Powerlines may be temporarily shut down as modifications will be undertaken in collaboration with Ausgrid.

Completion of the Redfern Station upgrades is earmarked for 2022. For more information and enquiries about this project, email projects@transport.nsw.gov.au or phone 1800 684 490.

Dance Your Way To Fitness With Retrosweat’s 80s Inspired Workout

Photo credit: Retrosweat/Facebook

Waterloo-based fitness studio Retrosweat just launched a digital version of their famous VHS Workout Club, a collection of ‘80s dance workouts–perfect for those who are looking for the best online workout classes to try at home.

Read: 5 Remarkable Things About Jess Fox, Tokyo Olympics C1 Canoe Slalom Gold Medalist

Retrosweat’s workouts are inspired by the original VHS workout made famous by the biggest ‘80s stars, such as David Bowie, The Pointer Sisters, Prince, and The Police. They offer weekly live classes, with a schedule suitable for all global time zones, ages and fitness levels.

Retrosweat is created and founded by Shannon Dooley whose mission is to make dance and movement easy and accessible to everybody. It combines Ms Dooley’s love of iconic and timeless pop music, and vintage fashion.

The team at Retrosweat (Photo credit: Retrosweat/Facebook)

The exercises are recommended for those who want to improve their posture and flexibility, tone their entire body, strengthen their heart, and burn tons of calories.

Joining allows you to access the library, with options such as yoga and low-impact exercises. For more information about their virtual dance classes, visit Retrosweat’s website or check out their social media pages.

Retrosweat

Facebook: www.facebook.com/RETROSWEAT

Instagram: @retrosweat

Gibbons Street Affordable Housing Now Ready for Occupancy

A new 18-storey residential development on Gibbons Street in Redfern, which has been built on the former site of the City of Sydney depot, has 40 social and 120 affordable housing units ready for occupancy.

The residential tower is under St George Community Housing (SGCH), which will also establish its new office on the Redfern site.

Centrally located near shopping centres and transportation depots, the SGCH community housing has received an 8.3 rating with the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme. Designed by DKO Architecture, the dwelling offers mixed one, two, and three-bedroom units with 27 homes for people with disabilities.

Because of the location of the residential tower, 25 percent of the units are also meant for Aboriginal families. To reflect the cultural and historical significance of the location, the Gibbon Street building has incorporated the work of Joe Hurst, an Indigenous artist who is aligned with the Boomali Aboriginal Artists Cooperative.

The tower has a rooftop garden for residents to enjoy the view as they gather and socialise. A playground on the ground floor enables the kids to have plenty of outdoor time in a safe and secured environment.

The development, however, doesn’t have any parking spaces since it’s within walking distance to the Redfern train station. There are 92 bike spaces directly outside the lobby.

Gibbons Street is environmentally sustainable with a 50kW solar array, roof-mounted fans in all apartments, and double-glazed windows that can adapt to changing thermal qualities throughout the year.

“I have watched Gibbons Street being built from the ground up and from the start of construction, it’s been really heart-warming knowing that people from my [Aboriginal] community might be placed there,” Tevita, one of the residents said.