Alex Hart
72/10-12 Manning Road, Double Bay, NSW 2028
Auction
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Open Saturday 6 June 11:30 am Auction Tuesday 23 June 5:00 pm🏛️ About This Suburb (Last Updated Date: 2026-03-06)
History, Aboriginal heritage, and the story behind the name.
Double Bay — Gadigal Country
Originally a site for fishing and farming in the early 19th century, Double Bay evolved into a prestigious residential enclave by the late 1800s. It became known as the 'Paris end' of Sydney in the mid-20th century due to its high-end boutiques and European-style cafes.
A sophisticated lifestyle hub characterized by luxury retail, five-star hotels, and a mix of grand heritage homes and modern high-end apartments.
Overall Score
9.2
A top-tier suburb offering an elite lifestyle with high capital resilience.
Aboriginal Name
Keltie— "Likely related to the shoreline or the specific bay area of the Gadigal people"
Name Origin
Named for the two distinct bays along the southern shoreline of Sydney Harbour.
Established
Gazetted 1834
Commercial Hub
Home to the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, a focal point for local social life.
Green Space
Steyne Park provides rare harbourside recreational space for the community.
Maritime
The Double Bay Ferry Wharf offers one of Sydney's most scenic commutes to the CBD.
📊 Scorecard
12 key dimensions scored 0–10. Each score includes a one-line explanation.
Market Momentum
8.5
Strong demand for luxury downsizer apartments and renovated family homes.
Amenity
10
World-class dining, boutique shopping, and harbourside access are all within walking distance.
Schools
9.5
Proximity to Australia's most prestigious private schools including Ascham, Cranbrook, and Scots.
Transport
8.5
Excellent ferry links and proximity to Edgecliff railway station.
Risk Profile
6.5
Primary concern is the well-documented flood risk in the central valley area.
Liveability
9.5
Offers a rare 'village' feel with high-end urban conveniences.
Demographics
9.0
High-wealth profile with a significant proportion of professionals and affluent retirees.
Rental Demand
8.5
Extremely high for modern luxury units and executive residences.
Growth Potential
8.0
Limited land supply and ongoing commercial revitalization support long-term value.
Affordability
1.5
One of Australia's most expensive suburbs with a very high barrier to entry.
Crime & Safety
9.0
Generally very safe with low rates of violent crime, though opportunistic theft occurs.
Walkability
10
Almost all daily needs can be met on foot within the flat village core.
⚡ Quick Snapshot
Key metrics at a glance, plus your top advantages and watch-outs.
Median House
$6.8M
Estimated based on recent high-value transactions.
Median Unit
$2.1M
Reflects a mix of older blocks and new luxury builds.
12mo Growth
7.2%
Steady appreciation in the premium sector.
Flood Zone
High
Central basin is prone to flash flooding.
Walk Score
98/100
A true 'walker's paradise' in the village.
Top School
Ascham
Located in neighboring Edgecliff/Double Bay border.
✅ Key Advantages
- Unrivalled lifestyle amenity with high-end dining and boutique retail.
- Exceptional transport connectivity via the Double Bay Ferry Wharf.
- Proximity to the CBD and elite Eastern Suburbs private schools.
- Highly prestigious address with historically strong capital growth.
- Flat topography in the village core, rare for the Eastern Suburbs.
⚠️ Key Watch-Outs
- Significant flood risk in low-lying streets like Cross St and Knox St.
- Extreme lack of street parking for visitors and older apartments.
- Strict heritage conservation controls limit redevelopment options.
- High strata levies in newer luxury developments.
- Noise and congestion during peak weekend shopping and dining hours.
🏘️ Suburb Overview
Character, property mix, price range and what drives value here.
🏙️ Character
Sophisticated Harbourside
How this suburb feels day-to-day.
🏠 Property Types
Predominantly high-end apartments and luxury terraces, with grand estates on the fringes.
Dominant dwelling stock.
💰 Price Range
$1.2m (studio) – $40m+ (waterfront estates)
Typical entry to ceiling.
💡 Why It Matters
Double Bay acts as the social and commercial heart of the Eastern Suburbs. Its recent revitalization has reclaimed its status as a premier global destination, making it a defensive asset for high-net-worth buyers.
💰 Price Guide & Market Trends
Medians, rental market, 5-year history and property split.
🏠 House Median
$6,850,000
$4.5m – $25m+
🏢 Unit Median
$2,150,000
$1.1m – $12m+
📈 Price Trend
+7.2% past 12 months
12-month movement
🔑 Weekly Rents
Houses $2,500pw, Units $1,150pw
Current asking rents
📉 5-Year Price History
🏘️ Property Type Split
The market is bifurcated between older Art Deco units and ultra-luxury new developments, with houses being exceptionally rare and tightly held.
🎯 Affordability
How this suburb compares to metro and state medians.
🏙️ vs Metro Average
310% above Sydney metro median
Price comparison
📋 Income Ratio
18.5x average household income
Median price ÷ median income
💳 Gross Yield
2.4% gross yield
Estimated rental yield
More AffordableModeratePremium
Entry levelMid rangePremium
Double Bay is one of the least affordable suburbs in Australia. Entry-level options are limited to small, older apartments without parking.
🔥 Rental Demand
Vacancy rates, demand pressure, tenant profile, and investor outlook.
📊 Vacancy Rate
1.8%
Lower = tighter market
⏱️ Days to Lease
18 days
Avg time on market
📈 Rent Growth p.a.
+9.5% pa
Annual rental increase
Demand Level
Very High
👤 Tenant Profile
Corporate executives, medical professionals, and wealthy downsizers in transition.
💼 Investor Outlook
Low yields are offset by high-quality tenants and strong capital growth prospects. Demand for 3-bedroom luxury rentals is currently undersupplied.
🚀 Growth Potential
Historical capital growth, infrastructure pipeline, and 5-year outlook.
+7.2%
1-Year Growth
+18.5% cumulative
3-Year Growth
+31.7% cumulative
5-Year Growth
📍 Growth Drivers
- Ongoing revitalization of the Cross Street precinct.
- Limited supply of new luxury apartment stock.
- Persistent demand from the 'empty nester' demographic.
- Status as a 'safe haven' for capital during economic volatility.
⛔ Headwinds
- High sensitivity to luxury tax and land tax changes.
- Physical constraints on further development due to heritage.
- Impact of climate change on insurance premiums for flood-prone areas.
🔮 5-Year Outlook
Expect continued outperformance of the broader Sydney market, driven by the scarcity of premium harbourside land and the suburb's unique village amenity.
🛡️ Crime & Safety
Safety index, trend comparison, and what to check locally.
9
Safety Score
Excellent
📉 Trend
Stable
vs last 12 months
🏙️ vs Metro Average
25% below Sydney average crime rate
Relative comparison
Risk Categories
Property Crime: Low
Personal Safety: Very Low
Alcohol-related incidents: Medium
📋 What to Check Locally
Check local police reports for incidents near the commercial hotel precincts on weekend nights.
⚠️ Risk Profile
Natural hazards and planning risks to verify before buying.
📋 Summary
The primary physical risk is flooding. Financial risks include high holding costs and potential for significant strata special levies in aging blocks.
🌊 Flood Risk
High risk in the valley floor. The Double Bay Catchment Flood Study identifies significant overland flow paths.
🔥 Bushfire Risk
None
🏦 Insurance Impact
Premiums may be elevated for ground-floor properties in identified flood zones.
🗺️ Planning & Zoning
Development controls, overlays, and what's changing locally.
📐 Typical Zoning
R3 Medium Density Residential and E1 Local Centre
🔲 Overlays
Heritage Conservation Area, Acid Sulfate Soils, Flood Related Development Controls
🏗️ Development Hotspots
Cross Street and the edges of the commercial core.
Strict Woollahra Council controls mean renovations are often complex and expensive, but this also protects the suburb's character and value.
🌳 Liveability
Day-to-day experience — transport, amenity, green space, schools and healthcare.
🚌 Transport
Excellent ferry service to Circular Quay (12-15 mins) and bus links to the city and Bondi Junction.
🛍️ Amenity & Retail
Elite level; world-class dining (e.g., Margaret, Neil Perry), high-end grocers, and luxury boutiques.
🌲 Parks & Recreation
Steyne Park offers waterfront cricket, dog walking, and a ferry wharf; Blackburn Cove offers quieter access.
🏫 Schools
While few schools are in the suburb, it is the central hub for the East's top private institutions.
🏥 Healthcare
Proximity to St Vincent's Hospital and numerous high-end private medical suites.
👥 Demographics
Who lives here — income, age, ownership, and education levels.
An affluent, established population with a high concentration of professionals and retirees.
💵 Median Income
$145,000 pa (Individual)
🏠 Ownership
48% owner-occupied, 45% renting, 7% other
🎂 Age Profile
Median age 42
🎓 Education
65% have a Bachelor's degree or higher
📊 Age Distribution
The high percentage of renters reflects the suburb's popularity with young professionals, while the high median age and income support the luxury retail sector.
🏗️ Major Developments
Infrastructure pipeline and what it means for values and liveability.
📋 Overview
Recent years have seen the completion of several ultra-luxury mixed-use developments in the village core.
📈 Positive Impacts
- Increased foot traffic for local businesses.
- Modernization of the public domain and streetscapes.
- Provision of high-quality, downsizer-friendly housing.
📉 Negative Impacts
- Increased traffic congestion during construction phases.
- Loss of some older, more affordable commercial spaces.
🗺️ Nearby Suburb Comparison
How neighbouring suburbs stack up on price, lifestyle and who they suit.
📍Bellevue Hill
Position
Adjacent (Uphill)
Price
Higher house medians
Lifestyle
Larger blocks, more private, less walkable to shops.
Best for
Families seeking large estates and privacy.
📍Edgecliff
Position
Adjacent (West)
Price
Lower unit medians
Lifestyle
Transport hub focus, less 'village' atmosphere.
Best for
Commuters and entry-level Eastern Suburbs buyers.
📍Point Piper
Position
Adjacent (North)
Price
Significantly higher
Lifestyle
Ultra-exclusive, no commercial core, purely residential.
Best for
Ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
📍Rose Bay
Position
East
Price
Comparable
Lifestyle
More family-oriented, larger parks, further from CBD.
Best for
Families seeking a balance of harbour and space.
🔍 Similar Suburbs
Suburbs with a comparable profile — useful if this one is over budget or sold up.
Mosman
NSW
9.0/10
Harbourside prestige, high-end village shopping, and elite schools.
Toorak
VIC
9.3/10
The equivalent 'prestige' hub of Melbourne with similar wealth profiles.
New Farm
QLD
8.8/10
Riverfront luxury, high walkability, and premium dining culture.
South Yarra
VIC
8.9/10
Sophisticated urban living with high-end boutiques and apartments.
💬 Community Sentiment
Aggregated themes from resident discussions, forums and local feedback.
📊 Overall Community Sentiment
Residents value the suburb for its convenience and 'village' atmosphere, though some long-term locals miss the quieter days before the recent commercial boom.
★★★★★
Lifestyle
I can walk to the ferry, my doctor, and the best restaurants in Sydney within 5 minutes. It's like living in a European city.
Convenience
Atmosphere
★★★★☆
Apartment Living
Moving from a large house in Bellevue Hill was easy because everything I need is right here, though parking for my guests is a nightmare.
Accessibility
Parking
★★★★☆
Transport
The ferry is the best way to get to work, but the weekend traffic in the village can be frustrating if you're trying to drive out.
Ferry
Traffic
★★★★★
Community
The revitalization has brought a new energy to the suburb. It feels world-class again.
Growth
Vibrancy
★★★★☆
Capital Growth
The yields are low, but the capital protection here is unmatched. It's a blue-chip asset.
Security
Yield
★★★★☆
Family Life
Great for kids with Steyne Park nearby, but you have to be careful about which streets you buy on due to the flooding history.
Parks
Flood Risk
💡 Tailored Advice
Personalised guidance for every role in this market.
🧑💼 Buyer Strategy
- Prioritize properties with secure off-street parking; it adds significant value and liquidity.
- Verify the flood level of any ground-floor or basement property via Council records.
- Check the strata minutes for any history of water ingress or rising damp in older Art Deco blocks.
- Look for 'quiet' streets just off the main commercial strip to balance amenity with peace.
- Understand the heritage constraints before planning any external renovations.
❓ Questions to Ask the Agent
- Is this property located within the 1-in-100-year flood zone according to Council maps?
- Does the parking space have a separate title or is it part of the common property?
- Are there any planned major works or special levies for this building in the next 24 months?
- What is the history of water ingress or dampness in the basement/ground floor?
- Is the property located within a Heritage Conservation Area?
- What are the current strata levies and what do they include (e.g., concierge, pool, building manager)?
- How many of the units in this block are owner-occupied versus tenanted?
- Are there any recent sales in the building that were not publicly listed?
🏷️ Seller Strategy
- Highlight proximity to the ferry wharf as a key selling point for CBD professionals.
- Ensure any parking on title is clearly emphasized in marketing materials.
- Style the property to appeal to the 'downsizer' market—think luxury, low-maintenance, and security.
- Address any historical flood concerns proactively with independent reports if the property is in a low-lying zone.
- Target high-net-worth buyers via off-market channels before a full public campaign.
📣 Positioning Tips
Position the property as a 'lifestyle trophy' that offers the best of Sydney's harbourside living with zero-maintenance appeal.
💼 Investment Case
A long-term capital growth play with high tenant quality.
⚠️ Investment Risks
Low rental yields and high land tax/strata costs.
📈 Action Plan
- Focus on 2 or 3-bedroom units with parking.
- Target older blocks with 'renovation potential' within heritage guidelines.
- Verify insurance costs for flood-prone areas.
- Maintain a high standard of finish to attract executive tenants.
🔑 Renter Tips
- Be prepared for high competition for modern units.
- Check mobile reception in older thick-walled Art Deco buildings.
- Verify if a residential parking permit is available from Council.
🏘️ What Renters Love Here
Unbeatable lifestyle and easy commute.
⚠️ Renter Watch-Outs
High rents and limited storage in older buildings.
🏢 Landlord Strategy
- Invest in high-quality fixtures and fittings to justify premium rents.
- Consider offering long-term leases to attract stable downsizer tenants.
- Ensure the building has a proactive strata committee.
📋 Compliance & Management
Ensure all window safety locks and smoke alarms meet current NSW standards, particularly in older blocks.
🤝 Agent Insights
- The market is currently driven by local downsizers moving out of large family estates.
- Off-market transactions represent a significant portion of the premium house market.
- Properties with 'harbour glimpses' command a 15-20% premium over those without.
🎯 Marketing Angles
The 'Paris End' of Sydney, Harbourside Village Lifestyle, Walk-to-Everything Convenience.
👤 Target Buyer Profile
Affluent downsizers, corporate executives, and international investors.
✅ Due Diligence Checklist
Tap items to tick them off. Don't skip these before signing anything.
✓
Order a formal Flood Report from Woollahra Council.
✓
Review the Strata Inspection Report for at least the last 5 years of minutes.
✓
Check the Woollahra LEP for heritage and conservation constraints.
✓
Verify the dimensions and accessibility of any allocated parking spaces.
✓
Inspect the property during a period of heavy rain if possible to check drainage.
✓
Confirm the availability of NBN or high-speed fiber connections.
✓
Check for any active Development Applications (DAs) on neighboring properties.
✓
Review the contract for any 'exclusive use' bylaws regarding balconies or courtyards.
✓
Assess the proximity to late-night venues and potential noise impacts.
✓
Verify the land tax liability for the property if purchasing as an investment.
✓
Confirm the catchment area for local public schools.
✓
Check the building's cladding status and fire safety certification.
📚 Government Sources & Disclaimer
Official council and government links only. Always verify independently before any property decision.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Property data is based on estimates as of March 2026. Buyers should conduct their own independent due diligence, including legal and professional inspections.
