Location and lifestyle: The downsizer appeal at Martin, Brighton
In real estate, location is always the number one priority on a buyers wishlist.
Almost everything else is changeable, within reason.
The location of a property can impact several aspects of a homeowner's experience, from lifestyle, accessibility, and most importantly, value.
Projects by Buxton Director Heath Thompson says while location factors are subjective and personal to the individual, the key location factors are proximity to amenity and public transport.
"Local amenity, shops, cafes etc are important for everyday life for most buyers, while connectivity to the city, while not important for some, is important when it comes to resale value of a property" Thompson says.
Thompson has recently launched the boutique, 11-apartment project Martin Brighton, which is attracting downsizers due to its locational point of difference.
"The project is unique in the sense it has a Brighton postcode, but it offers a different lifestyle than what many perceive what living in Brighton is like," Thompson says.
"Martin Street is not about the bay or the beach, albeit they're less than two kilometres away from the project. It's more about the doorstep lifestyle that the Martin Street Village has.
"There's a community feel around Martin St which you don't really get from Bay or Church Street. It's more like Hampton Street was before the recent large scale development."
On Martin's doorstep is the popular cafe St Martin's, Martin St Cafe & Providore and a number of other restaurants and cocktail bars. Bottarga is located across the road, while 10 Greek Plates, Brix Bar and Dining, Sons of Mary, and Brighton Bistro & Cocktail Bar are all less than 200 metres from the front door.
Another driver for buyers is the connectivity that this end of Martin Street offers.
Martin residents will be in close proximity to the Gardenvale Station, on the Sandringham Line, which runs to Flinders Street Station through South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Balaclava, Ripponlea, Elsternwick and Hampton.
"We are finding that because Martin Street isn't a main thoroughfare it has a warm feel to it as opposed to busier locations," Thompson says.
Martin has just 11 two and three-bedroom apartments, which start from $1,395,000. Each apartment has secure parking with internal living the starts from 100 sqm to more than 140 sqm extending to generous private terraces. The interiors were designed by the legendary interior design studio Mim Design.
Developer EBG, who have a string of successful high-end projects in their portfolio, are about half way through the bulk excavation of the site, with completion slated for mid-2024, a timeline which suits the downsizer so they have time to sell their family home.
Thompson says Martin suits the people who have wanted to make a sea change, while also being part of a village-style community.
"They might have kids who have moved into Melbourne, and want to be connected to them while also being near the water.
"Martin perfect for those who seek a lock and leave lifestyle. The location is also popular with buyers who have a larger property down on the Mornington Peninsula and looking for a city base.."
