Why Glen Iris offers the best lifestyle for families, and what they can buy
Glen Iris is one of the most family friendly suburbs in Melbourne.
The small seven square kilometre pocket 10km south east of the Melbourne CBD, is an attractive proposition for those with children due to the convenient access to the city, some of the best schools in the state, and a leafy, suburban feel which isn't often found in suburbs this close to the city.
ABS census data shows over 60 per cent of households have children.
Despite being just seven square kilometres, there's a massive 26 parks scattered across Glen Iris, the best for kids being Ferndale Park with an upgraded kids playground built into a hill.
There's three schools which are rated in the top 15 schools in Victoria according to My Choice Schools. Private girls secondary schools Korowa Anglican Girls' School is ranked as the seventh best private school in the state, while St Cecilia's Primary School and Glen Iris Primary School are ranked 11th and 24th respectively.
There is a large disparity between the median house and median unit price, about 60 per cent, with the house price median about $2,475,000, according to CoreLogic.
The gap is pushing some families who want to either stay in or move to the area into the townhouse and apartment market, a market which has served up some impressive new options in recently.
We've wrapped up the top townhouse and apartment developments in Glen Iris in 2024.
Project: Lori
Location: 1610 Malvern Road, Glen Iris VIC 3146
Developer: LK Property Group
Glen Iris' latest townhouse project, Lori by LK Property Group, has only three of the eight three-bedroom townhouses left, as locals seek this rare opportunity in the southeast suburb.
Designed by the award-winning Megowan, each two-level townhouse features three bedrooms and is situated on a sloping block near the Glen Iris Station, offering a well-connected location and scenic views through large picture windows overlooking the surrounding treescape.
Built to endure across decades and generations, Lori incorporates future-proof technology and infrastructure.
Each home is designed for rooftop solar and electric car charging, reflecting LK Property Group's commitment to sustainability.
The development is also 100 per cent electric, aligning with a more renewable path and minimising residents' environmental footprint.
Immerse Constructions is currently building Lori, which is slated for completion in Q2 2024.
Project: Fraeda
Location: 57A Alfred Road, Glen Iris VIC 3146
Developer: Elmbury Property Group
Another boutique townhouse development, Melbourne developer Elmbury's Fraeda stands out not only for its elegant design and prime location but also for its philanthropic mission, with $10,000 from each sale dedicated to supporting the Cure Brain Cancer Foundation.
The Petridis Architects-designed Fraeda is a boutique collection of four townhouses, which are more like freestanding homes, nestled on the tree-lined Alfred Road and are moments from the famous TOORAK Road shopping strip.
Each freestanding townhouse comprises four bedrooms and three bathrooms, offering larger-than-typical outdoor areas compared to other townhomes.
The open-plan kitchen, living, and dining areas are designed for functional living, offering seamless connections to the outdoors through expansive full-height doors.
Each residence also provides a secure two-car basement garage, with Home Four enjoying the largest garage space. A central staircase connects the basement, ground, and first-floor levels, with the option for buyers to add a lift for enhanced convenience.
Only one exclusive, freestanding townhouse remains available for the discerning buyer. Construction by builder First Avenue Homes is due to be completed in Q3 2024.
Project: GALERIE
Location: 1538-1540 High Street, Glen Iris VIC 3146
Developer: LDS Property
Glen Iris' newest apartment development, GALERIE, has surpassed the 70 per cent sold mark for its 29 two and three-bedroom units, as construction advances towards a late 2024 completion by high-end, award-winning construction company Iurada.
GALERIE was developed by LDS Property, which is currently offering a five per cent deposit on the apartments for a limited time.
The two, and three-bedroom apartments boast expansive landscape courtyards or elevated balconies, offering views of the metropolitan area.
The open-planned living spaces have been designed to seamlessly integrate with the surrounding landscape through large windows and sliding doors, providing residents with a direct connection to nature.
GALERIE has been designed by Ewert Leaf and sits in landscaping by John Patrick Landscape Architects.
The development drew early interest from local downsizers and empty nesters seeking to remain within the Glen Iris area.
Project: 225 Burke Rd
Location: 225 Burke Road, Glen Iris VIC 3146
Developer: Werden Property Group
Glen Iris has also seen the completion of a boutique development by Werden Property Group, 225 Burke Road.
Only a few of the 16 contemporary apartments remain for sale. The two-bedroom apartments were snapped up pre-completion, leaving just a few three-bedroom apartments for sale.
Melbourne-based C. Kairouz Architects designed 225 Burke Road with a robust façade, which gives way to warm, inviting, and minimalist apartments.
The kitchens feature striking natural stone benchtops, and top-of-the-line integrated Miele appliances, while the bathrooms feature rainwater showers and double vanities in the master ensuites.
The oak floorboards in the home lead out to balconies via the floor-to-ceiling double-glazed windows, flooding the home with abundant natural light.
225 Burke Road boasts an enviable location within walking distance of High Street trams, shops, cafes, esteemed schools, Glen Iris station, and the M1 Freeway, which offers easy access to the rest of Melbourne.