A stroll through Australia's most expensive suburb, Peppermint Grove
If you're wondering where you can find the most expensive houses, then look no further than Western Australia's Peppermint Grove. The A-grade suburb has an eye-watering median house price of $3,537,500 with median asking rent of $1,600, according to RP Data.
The latest census data paints an interesting picture of the residents. An average family with 2.2 children, the median age is 40, with more females than males. The majority are married, English or Australian, and full-time workers in professional or management roles. There are 1,529 people living in the suburb.
The median weekly household income is $2,682 and it tops the list (with Cottesloe) as the top highest earning WA area. The breakdown shows that 35.5% noted more than $3,000 gross weekly income.
A brief read through the Peppermint Grove Shire Council (the smallest council in Australia) minutes for the last few months speaks of additions, second storey alterations and pool houses being built. The council website also includes instructions for those wanting to put in tennis courts, or tennis court lighting.
The residents are also "fiercely independent", particularly against efforts to merge them into surrounding councils, notes the Cambridge Post back in June around the calling for a halt by the Minister for Local Government of calls to merge Cotteslow, Peppermint Grove and Mosman Park.
"Under the present 'Dadour' law, Peppermint Grove’s fiercely independent residents could thwart the absorption of their council by voting no in a referendum, provided more than 50% voted," they reported.
"Surveys conducted by the council show that 80% of residents want their shire to go it alone."
Bound by the edge of the Swan River and the Stirling Highway, nearby Cottesloe Station, think of any symbol of luxury and it's likely you'll find it. A yacht club, a tennis club, and decent public transport, with a golf club in the suburb opposite and easy access to shops, schools and other facilities - it's not surprising that it sits on the love list of some of Australia's richest.
It's truly a priviledged suburb, and the type of area where it's not completely unheard of to have more bathrooms than bedrooms, and more bedrooms than people in the home. Within the area, 79.8% are houses, with 22.2% rented.
The two neighbouring properties are worth a look. 136 and 137 Forrest Street, both listed currently open to offers.
This six-bedroom, three-bathroom property at 136 asked for offers over $7 million back in May 2013 before being re-listed in October.
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Meanwhile, the six-bedroom, five-bathroom home at 137 sold for $2,100,000 back in 2004 and is back on the market open to offers.
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However, how about something that sits at $25 million? Chiritta, a late 1800s built seven-bedroom house on 4,080 square metres (pictured below) was listed by the founders of Channel 9 Perth earlier this year.
It ended up selling at $17.5 million price in August, still smashing the previous $16 million record set in 2010 by four-bedroom, four-bathroom 43 View Street.
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The suburb has homed the Bond family who have owned and transacted a number of properties over the years, including connections to both View Street and Leake Street.
Other prestigious residents have also included members of the Packer family, members of the Bunning family and actor Heath Ledger, whose family owned a riverfront property on The Esplanade.
Expat Michael Hintze wealthiest but Mosman and Peppermint Grove residents within 2013 Sunday Times 1000 rich list: https://t.co/k1Ww7cwnEC
— Jonathan Chancellor (@titletattle) April 22, 2013And it's regularly a source of fascination for those nearby, with many taking the chance to stroll (or drive) through and look at the homes of Australia's rich and famous.
Great arvo cruising around perths richest sub #peppermintgrove #mosmanpark #bicton #home
— Kevin (@mcrfr) November 23, 2013A Peppermint Grove Sunrise #perth in far better weather conditions. @tweetperth pic.twitter.com/406yiMS2
— Simon Burrows Photos (@simmoperth) November 28, 2012
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