Prestige Property: 20 Linlithgow Road, Toorak, VIC

Toorak, Melbourne’s blue-chip locale is filled with a heady array of historic homes and modern mansions, yet few compare to the 950sqm contemporary masterpiece listed here.

Sprawled across a 1270sqm block, replete with low maintenance garden, the Stephen Jolson designed residence boasts 4-bedrooms, 3-bathrooms, 6-car parking across three levels in one of Toorak’s most prestigious positions.

The striking sculptural façade of cantilevered solid concrete ‘blades’ and tall window walls are the most salient features of the home.

Inside, it conceals lavish interiors highlighted by Australian Bluestone walkways, American Oak floors, and a hydronic underfloor heating system.

Arriving via the circular drive and grand bronze porte cochere entry one emerges into voluminous gallery-like spaces that provide sophisticated living, dining, and entertaining.

A central light atrium extends throughout all three floors while northern light pours in through walls of glazing that unfold to the entertaining terrace.

Elsewhere, the Statuario marble kitchen with separate scullery and bar is fitted with Miele appliances, three Vintec wine fridges and a Sub-Zero fridge and freezer.

The casual open living and dining areas include a hidden home theatre, descender TV and gas fire.

The first floor finds a library with yet another kitchenette, study or fifth bedroom while a central bathroom accompanies four retreat-style bedrooms including the palatial master suite with twin deluxe walk-in robes. Also here, a study, stunning open ensuite replete with marble benchtops, a freestanding stone bath and private terrace all enjoying panoramic valley views.

Downstairs sees a lounge with granite bar, concealed kitchenette, gym, steam room and bathroom complementing the jaw-dropping 20-metre indoor lap pool.

Throughout the home is fitting with smart technology including full CBUS home automation, enjoys access via private lift, boasts an oversized three-car garage (with parking for a further three vehicles) while enjoying Toorak’s conveniences moments from Toorak Village, High Street Armadale and Melbourne’s most esteemed private schools.

The listing is with RT Edgar’s Antoinette Nido (+61 419 654 856) with a price guide of $15.5m-$17m; rtedgar.com

There are 10 local council areas scattered along the East Coast of Australia that offer both affordability and solid fundamentals for sustainable future growth, according to the research team at residential property network, PRD. The areas have been selected based on five criterion. They are affordability – defined as a median house price below $600,000, rising house values, strong rental yields to encourage investment, a strong pipeline of residential, commercial and infrastructure projects to facilitate local economic development, and low unemployment.

Here are Australia’s 10 most affordable regional property markets with great future potential.

Mackay, QLD

Mackay is a tropical coastal area located in north Queensland. It’s known for its closeconnection to the Great Barrier Reef. The median house price is $462,750, up 8.9 percent in 2023. Mackay attracts a lot of interstate migrants and is home to more than 120,000 people. It has a healthy economy with an unemployment rate of 3.7 percent and $1.7 billion worth of projects due to commence this year.

Toowoomba, QLD

The Toowoomba median house price was up 10.9 percent in 2023.

Toowoomba is located west of Brisbane and is known for its Victorian buildings, street artand surrounding national parks. The median house price is $560,000, up 10.9 percent in 2023. The city has a population of more than 180,000. The unemployment rate is 4 percentand there is $6.1 billion in projects commencing in 2024.

Townsville, QLD

Townsville is a coastal city in north-eastern Queensland. The median house price is $420,000, up 5 percent in 2023. It is home to more than 200,000 people. Unemployment is very low at 2.5 percent and there is $3.2 billion of projects commencing this year.

Dubbo, NSW

Dubbo is located west of Newcastle in the Orana Region and is home to the Western Plains Zoo. The median house price is $530,000, up 11.6 percent in 2023. The population has exploded in recent years to more than 56,000 people. The unemployment rate is just 2.2percent and the economy is thriving. There is a pipeline of $4.7 billion in projects commencing this year.

Tamworth, NSW

Located in north-east NSW, Tamworth is known for its popular annual Country Music Festival. It’s also the largest retail centre for the New England and Northwest Slopes regions. The median house price is $490,000, up 14 percent in 2023. With a population of more than 65,000 people, the economy is strong with unemployment of just 2 percent and $112.4million worth of projects commencing this year.

Griffith, NSW

Located west of Sydney and northwest of Canberra, Griffith is known for its prime produce production and wine cultivation. The median house price is $531,000, up 2.1 percent in 2023. Griffith’s population is about 27,000 people. The city boasts high economic resilience with a 2 percent unemployment rate and $258.7 million in projects in the pipeline.

Ballarat, VIC

Ballarat is a 1.5–hour drive west of Melbourne. It’s popular with city commuters who move here for housing affordability and a relaxed lifestyle with easy access to the city via train. The median house price is $570,000, down 4.2 percent in 2023 but up 92.9 percent over the past decade. The city has the third highest population in Victoria at about 118,000. Ballarat has an unemployment rate of 3 percent and a total projects pipeline worth $2.3 billion for 2024.

Shepparton, VIC

Shepparton is a rural area about two hours north of Melbourne. It is popularly referred to as ‘the food bowl of Australia’. The median house price is $475,000, up 4.4 percent in 2023. The population is about 70,000. The unemployment rate is just 2 percent and there is $1.8 billion in projects for 2024.

Wodonga, VIC

Wodonga is located on the border of NSW on the southern side of the Murray River. It is approximately 320km from Melbourne and 345km from Canberra. The median house price is $567,250, up 4.7 percent in 2023. With a population of about 44,000, the city’s jobless rate is 3 percent and there is $388.2 million in development set to commence in 2024, primarily new infrastructure.

Burnie, TAS

Burnie is a bustling port city located in Emu Bay in Tasmania’s north-west. Overlooking beaches and parklands, the area is known for its rich agriculture and mining projects. The median house price is $435,000, up 3.6 percent. Despite a rising population, the unemployment rate is falling and is currently 5.6 percent. In 2024, Burnie’s project pipeline is valued at approximately $1.6 billion. A significant portion is commercial development, primarily renewable energy projects.