Elsternwick has never been a suburb to fight for attention. Quietly gentrified rather than flash, it's the kind of place that goes about its business with a minimum of fuss.
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Elsternwick, in short, is the kind of suburb that flies underneath the radar. It's tucked away on the "other" side of the Nepean Highway from its more attention-seeking neighbours St Kilda, Elwood and Brighton. Yet it's easy to see why the Elsternwick neighbourhood is a coveted address. The wide, tree-lined streets featureperiod family homes spanning a broad array of build history, from Victorian through to the present day (they find a particularly sweet spot with the gabled architecture of the Edwardians). And for those accustomed to the inner-ring squeeze, block size can also be agreeably large.
Its most recognised landmark is Rippon Lea Estate, an elaborate mansion and gardens constructed in 1868 for businessman Frederick Sargood and now run by the National Trust of Victoria, complete with a cafe and guided tours. The name Elsternwick derives from the home of prominent 19th-century pastoralist and politician Charles Ebden and his home, Elster. Previously known as Red Bluff, the village that grew up around it followed Anglo-Saxon tradition to become known as Elsternwick.
Its other great cultural calling card was the ABC studios - otherwise known as "the dream factory" - on Gordon Street, where everything from Bellbird and Countdown to Kath & Kim and Mad As Hell was produced. The site has only recently been mothballed, with all staff now based at Southbank.
The neighbourhood nonetheless boasts a vibrant community life that centres on the traditional shopping strips of Glen Huntly and Glen Eira Road, where it's still possible to find old-fashioned businesses such as the local butcher, including a kosher butcher serving the area's sizeable Jewish population.
In the ultimate pulse-taking of Melbourne real estate, the 2017 season of Channel Nine's The Block was filmed on Regent Street, not far from Rippon Lea. The 2989-square metre block, within walking distance to Elsternwick train station, was earlier saved from a three-storey development planned by the Yesodei HaTorah school. Community outcry had involved the 'hood's high-profile residents including Kate Ceberano and Gina Riley. But where that reality show goes (previous suburbs include South Melbourne, Albert Park, Prahran, South Yarra and Port Melbourne), Melbourne's interest inevitably follows. It looks like Elsternwick is well and truly ready for its close-up.
14 Hartington Street
Photo: Simon Modra
$1.35 million-$1,485,000
3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 car space
This freestanding three-bedroom Victorian home has been renovated with a central modern bathroom, a deep garden allotment with al fresco entertaining and a beautifully equipped kitchen.
Auction: 11am, October 21
Agent: Biggin & Scott, Angelos Stefanis 0402 232 399 and Bill Stavrakis 0418 327 622
6/24 Charles Street
Photo: Urban Angles
$400,000-$440,000
1 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1 car space
Directly opposite Elsternwick's well-established Harleston Park, this one bedroom apartment is located on the top floor of a boutique block of six and boasts plenty of storage space, including an attic accessed by retractable ladder.
Auction: 2.30pm, October 29
Agent: Gary Peer & Associates, Jodie English 0427 577 688
