Balmain
Historically Vibrant Suburb - home to many creative and entertainment professionals
Area lifestyle
Balmain is located 5km West of the CBD. Located on the Balmain Peninsula, Balmain also includes the premium waterside suburbs of Balmain East and Birchgrove.
Balmain was one of the first places settled in Sydney around the early 1800’s. Historically, it was a place of industrialism, which included shipbuilding, metal foundry, engineering, boilermaking and the completion of a dry dock in 1855.
The industrialisation of Balmain created a demand for cheap housing. This was satisfied by dock owners selling small blocks of land to entrepreneurs who then built tiny cottages and rented them to the workers.
The architecture of Balmain reflects its history, with clusters of heritage listed sandstone semi’s and stone cottages.
The post-industrial gentrification of Balmain has resulted in a suburb of considerable charm and interest where the modest, pretty houses command prices that would not have been dreamt of by their original tenants. Boutique shops and quality restaurants now appear alongside old drinking establishments on Darling Street, Balmain's main thoroughfare.
2006 – 2007 Median Property Prices
- Houses: $875,000
- Units: $540,000
Projected growth for 2007
- Houses: 7.6%
- Units: 4.1%
Best Streets include:
- Tilba Ave
- Alexander St
- Birchgrove rd
- Water St
Education / Private Schools: Balmain Primary, Balmain High school, The Montissori School, Sydney College of the Arts
