paddington Archives - Page 9 of 13

Paddington, Brisbane CBD Rental Vacancies Rate Robust Despite the Pandemic

Rental vacancies in Brisbane CBD and the middle ring suburbs, such as Paddington, remain tight and robust after an escalation in mid-2020, prompting the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) to say that it has “the only healthy rental market(s) in Queensland.”

Brisbane CBD’s rental vacancies dropped to a quarterly rate of 3.3 percent from 5 percent in June last year, whilst Paddington’s rental vacancies rate was at 2.1 percent by December 2020.

Also showing signs of improvement among the middle ring areas include New Farm (1.9 percent), Saint Lucia (1.7 percent), Hawthorne (1.4 percent), whilst outer ring suburbs like Hamilton, Ashgrove, Cannon Hill, Camp Hill, Moorooka and Holland Park recorded less than 2 percent availability.

“In the last six months we’ve witnessed some record lows across capital city suburbs; figures we’ve certainly not seen for well over a decade,” Antonia Mercorella, CEO of the REIQ, said.

Ms Mercorella, however, said that the “market has yet to fully rebound” even with the improving vacancy levels.

The REIQ CEO credits the State Government for its COVID-19 measures, which have kept tenancies intact. Interstate migration and Aussies returning from overseas were also seen as big factors.

But some renters, who have put in countless applications and gone to many rental inspections, noticed that there are more than 30 to 40 applicants for a single home in these hotspots. Industry insiders agree that home inspections have risen to an unprecedented level with long lines outside the door of a newly-listed property, per a Domain report.

One real estate agent compared Brisbane’s housing market to rolls of toilet paper at a supermarket shelf, where everyone wants it but there isn’t enough in the inventory.

Paddington agent Judi O’Dea said that some investors, especially those coming home from overseas, are snapping up homes despite no inspections. Pre-pandemic, Paddington realtors wait an average of 70 days before reaching an agreement with the parties involved in the rent or sale of a property.

Ngon in Paddington Launches Given Kitchen & Bar

Despite a rollercoaster ride in 2020, Ngon, the popular Vietnamese restaurant located at the heart of Paddington, is opening a new venture just a short walk away. Given Kitchen & Bar is ready to satisfy your cravings for heaps of Asian food cooked in the traditional way.

Do you love grilling over charcoal than gas? Given Kitchen & Bar , a few doors down Ngon in Given Terrace, specialises in chargrilled dishes that lock in the smoky, delicious flavour. The new inception focuses on fresh, scrumptious seafood meals cooked over charcoal for lunch or dinner.

Breakfast selections at the new restaurant feature Asian-inspired meals best paired with a cup of coffee from The Black Lab Coffee Co.

“Everything on the menu is designed to be shared and every dish is perfectly balanced to complement each other,” the owners shared. “Our food is designed and cooked in-house, making it fresh on a daily basis. Whilst our menu is predominantly Vietnamese inspired, we take influence from all cuisines across the continent of Asia.”

At night, this eatery will host DJ performances creating an easy-going vibe — the perfect setting for unwinding after a long day.

Given Kitchen & Bar is a few minutes walk from Ngon and is set to open in late January 2021. It comes nearly 20 months after the Ngon first welcomed its regular guests in Paddington.

“When covid hit our lives were turned upside down, limited financial help and sales down by 90% we were left with 2 options. Close shop and throw in the towel or come together as a family and face the epidemic together with our sleeves rolled up,” Chef Tuan said in a post on Instagram in June.

But the chef pressed on and conceptualize this new shop, along with revitalizing his original restaurant and putting Ngon on the map as one of the best Vietnamese eateries in Brisbane. The next goal is to repeat Ngon’s success, amidst a challenging period, with Given Kitchen & Bar.

Council approves ban on LED billboards in Paddington

Paddington residents campaigning against the erection of massive LED billboards at character precincts, such as Given Terrace and Latrobe Terrace, have achieved a win after the Council voted a ban on these electronic signs.

Councillor Jonathan Sri confirmed that Brisbane City Council will make “some minor interim amendments” to the Advertisements Local Law. The new stipulations will it harder for advertisers to secure approval for LED billboard ads in heritage properties and commercial character sites or pre-1911 buildings.

The changes will also make the local law retrospective.

Photo Credit: Jonathan Sri, Councillor for The Gabba/Facebook

The Council has not approved any electronic billboard application since the residents’ protests early this year. In September, an applicant withdrew plans to set up a LED billboard at 284 Given Terrace.

However, the campaign is not yet done as another advertiser managed to erect a billboard on Latrobe Terrace, whilst the deliberation was ongoing.

“Council has now admitted that community consultation was lacking and distinctive character precincts should not have LED Billboards approved. By that logic, the Latrobe Terrace Billboard must be revoked and removed,” Katinka Winston-Allom of the Greens (Cooper) said.

According to reports, a senior official informed Council to approve the sign but public access to the Right To Information documents detailing the approval process has been revoked. The said billboard is currently under Council review.

“The current process is not good enough,” Councillor Peter Matic said in June, following the Latrobe Terrace billboard fiasco. “It’s time for an overhaul and make them subject to more stringent assessment and a full consultation processes. These billboards are out of character; I wasn’t meaningfully consulted, the community wasn’t consulted and there needs to be checks and balances.”

Lick! Ice Cream: EKKA Fave Opens 3rd Shop in Paddington

Having the blues amidst the bad news you read online? Then swing by Paddington Central for some much-needed comfort food! The third Lick! Ice Cream store has opened this September and it could not come at a better time.

Though smaller than its Graceville and Morningside outlets, Lick! at Paddington Central will offer more ice cream flavours.

Customers may pick from 32 different kinds — that’s eight more than the other stores! — including vegan and gluten-free varieties, alongside classic popular choices like Chock chip cookies and cream, Macadamia praline, condensed milk and the OMG Strawberry.

Batches of Lick! Ice Cream are handcrafted and prepared with fresh, non-artificial ingredients at their Cooper Plains kitchen. However, they’ll soon be moving to a bigger headquarters at Seventeen Mile Rocks.

Co-owner Kim Douglas said that the kitchen expansion is a necessary step as they plan to open more stores in Brisbane and grow the brand. They are also open to supplying retailers and restaurants.

“We have over 900 flavours of ice cream, sorbet and gelato on our database and are adding new ones each week. We currently stock Lick at a number of Independent Supermarkets, delicatessens and fruit and vegetable shops throughout South East Queensland.”

EKKA regulars are familiar with Lick! and its sought-after strawberry sundae. In August, the ice cream shop opened pop-up stores across Brisbane to raise funds for The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation. Lick! sold over 90,000 strawberry sundaes for this initiative.

To know more about is flavours and store hours, follow the shop’s Facebook page.

Given Terrace Estate in Paddington is 100 Years Old!

Did you know that it’s been 100 years since the first lots in the Given Terrace Estate in Paddington were auctioned off to the public?

Cameron Bros. Auctioneers handled the auction of 42 residential sites from Given Terrace, Central Avenue, Ewart Street, and Alma Street. The event took place on the afternoon of 21 Aug 1920.

“This charming estate offers a special opportunity to anyone requiring a residence close to the penny section and within easy walking distance of Roma Street. With glorious views, easy access, and perfect drainage,” the auction advertisement read in a local newspaper.

Given Terrace Estates, today, covers the following streets below. Given Terrace itself remains the busiest main activity centre in Paddington, alongside Latrobe Terrace.

Alma Street
Annie Street
Beck Street (map shows as Mary Street)
Central Avenue
Club Street
Ewart Street
Fernberg Road
Given Terrace
Gladstone Street
Herbert Street
Latrobe Terrace
Macartney Street (map shows as Alice Street)
Mort Street (map shows as William Street)
Ross Street
Royal Street

Photo Credit: State Library of Queensland

Notable Sites in the Given Terrace Estate

Among the features highlighted in the estate included convenience, good drainage and healthy locality. The neighbourhood was also close to the Paddington Tram Line, which was built in 1898 and ushered a residential boom in the suburb.

The tram’s depot was erected in 1915 but a massive fire in 1962 destroyed the building, including 65 of the city’s trams. Conspiracy theories sparked over the real cause of the fire since the exact details were not revealed to the public.

Today, it’s where the shopping centre, Paddington Central, stands.

Given Terrace Estate also has the Paddington Post Office (opened in 1895), the Ithaca Fire Station (opened in 1919), the Sacred Heart Church (opened in 1918), and the heritage-listed site Forester’s Hall.

The hall, built in 1888, was often used by the Ancient Order of Foresters’ Friendly Society, United Brisbane District and the Trustees of Court Foresters’ Hope. It was the site where communities came together to discuss and develop ways to help each other as the society of Queensland grew. According to historians, this showed how Australians adapted the philosophy of mutual aid.

Forester’s Hall also became a landmark that transformed the estate into a commuter hub from a semi-rural community. Today, it’s privately owned by the Order of St Vincent de Paul but its preservation is protected by the Queensland government.

If you’ve lived in Paddington, especially in the Given Terrace Estate, you can view your old neighbourhood via this online explorer. The photos are from the 1960s to the 1970s.

Paddington Properties Projected for High Price Growth in 20 Years

Market indicators reveal a surge in property prices in Paddington and three other Western suburbs, driven by high demand from investors. In particular, Paddington is enjoying a high perception of liveability from the growing millennial market, who ranked it 10 out 10, a development that’s likely to fuel sales for years to come.

Paddington property searches are apparently the sixth most popular on Realestate.com.au for the state of Queensland. Nerida Conisbee, the site’s chief economist, said that this is usually a good indicator of future price growths.

The suburb also had double-digit home price growth for up to 16 percent a year in recent times.

Amidst this pandemic, cashed-up foreign property buyers are reportedly keen on investing in a house in Paddington because of its good lifestyle and how Brisbane, in general, has handled the COVID-19 crisis.

Other Queensland suburbs showing increased search activities include inner-city’s Teneriffe (7th), and the western areas of Indooroopilly (10th), Ashgrove (11th) and Red Hill (18th).

Apart from buyer demand, young families moving into suburbs could also influence long-term price growth. Ashgrove and Indooroopilly apparently show this trend. Schools in these areas are attractive to families with kids because of their commendable NAPLAN results in recent years.

Inner-city houses, even in the worst streets of the CBD, also command a higher price and can be a good long-term investment.

Ms Conisbee, however, said that COVID-19 may impact this projection. Ultimately, there could be house buyers who will prefer to live in regional sites, instead of the suburbs, as a result of the virus threat.

Paddington Attracting Cashed-Up Foreign Property Buyers Post-COVID

Several industries might be grappling with the impact of the coronavirus lockdown but the property market in Brisbane, particularly in Paddington, is attracting significant interest from cashed-up international and interstate buyers, who are looking to live in a community that could better handle the pandemic.

Alex Jordan of McGrath Paddington noticed the increasing numbers of expats interested in buying in Brisbane, considered an economic safe haven “because of the way we handled COVID.”

Aside from this, Mr Jordan said that what’s luring buyers from abroad or other regions are Paddington’s good lifestyle and affordability compared to other regions. What’s more interesting is that these property buyers from abroad are not actually able to see the site physically. The transactions and communications are mostly done on Facetime or Zoom.

“The ones that I’m exposed to and talking with are looking at properties above $1.5 million and they are looking for something modern or brand new and in a good location – typically in the more affluent pockets such as the inner west that’s close to quality schooling,” Mr Jordan said.

Place Brisbane CEO Damien Hackett also said that whilst there’s a rise in foreign buyers, Brisbane’s property industry, in general, is carrying forward amid the pandemic. REIQ’s last quarterly report revealed a stable market and minimal changes in house prices given the circumstance.

Investors are apparently confident in Brisbane’s housing market, which has prevailed amid the unpredictably. There’s also an increasing number of listings of properties for occupancy or ownership.

Mr Jordan, however, said that demand is greater than the supply in Paddington by at least 30 percent year on year.

Score Second-Hand Fashionable Treasures at the Love Me Again Market

Bargain hunters with a thing for second-hand treasures, here’s where you should rummage about next. Score some unique and fashionable pieces at the Love Me Again Market in Paddington, which will relaunch its market year on Sunday, the 16th of February 2020.

Open from 8 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Love Me Again Market is the best venue for fashion lovers to score branded and unique outfits at the fraction of its retail price. Featuring hundreds of stalls with mostly pre-loved clothes, shoes and accessories, this is the ultimate haven for fashionistas.

The Love Me Again Market is also ideal for earning some cash. Anyone with heaps of used clothes to unload can sell their stuff by becoming a stallholder.

*Photo Credit: Love Me Again Market/Facebook*

Meanwhile, on-site baristas will be brewing coffee to keep shoppers invigorated as they browse over 100 stalls. This market also has a good selection of flowers to bring home or gift to your moms and friends.

The Love Me Again Market takes place at the Paddington Hall on Moreton Street. As of press time, three more market days have been confirmed after February:

15th of March

19th of April

17th of May

Shoppers, log those dates on your calendar if you’re planning to check out what’s for sale. Sellers, book a stall in advance to secure your spot. For enquiries, email info@lovemeagainmarket.com.au.

Biome in Paddington Makes Green Living So Easy

One of the biggest challenges to green living is the lack of quality but affordable eco-friendly products in the market. Biome Eco Store in Paddington, however, conveniently fills this gap as it offers heaps of the home and self-care products for everyday use to sustain a lifestyle that makes a big difference.

Every item sold at Biome is carefully researched and developed to adhere to high standards. The products are made using safe ingredients that deliver zero harm to animals and workers.

The company is also mindful of truth in labelling and proper waste management. Thus, Biome is proud that it’s the first retailer to be recognised as a Certified B Corporation in Australia.

“Biome is different because we delve into the whole story of a product, the people behind it, and its impacts, so that you can make a choice to match your values,” said Tracey Bailey, the Founder of Biome. “Not only are we free from toxins, but we go further to consider aspects like human rights, waste, and supporting local.”

*Photo Credit: Biome Eco Store/Facebook*

The store has a well-stocked inventory for everything under the sun — reusables, plastic-free storage solutions, natural body and beauty care items, eco-conscious fashion and outdoor goods, as well as organic food and children’s provisions. These items may also be conveniently bought at its online site.

Even better, Biome has pre-packed gift ideas for every occasion and every family member, including the furry ones. Greenies can easily pick up an item to give to friends, which might also encourage them to start going green.

Biome Eco Store has four outlets in Brisbane — CBD, Paddington, Balmoral and Indooroopilly — and a warehouse in Milton. Outside Brisbane, greenies may find the eco store in Southport, Gold Coast and Burwood East, Melbourne.

Kettle and Tin in Paddington Brings Back $1 Dollar Dumplings Deal

It’s time to scrape together some loose change as Kettle and Tin in Paddington is bringing back its Dollar Dumplings deal every Friday. You can, once again, have all the yummy dumplings you can eat for $1 per piece at this familiar Given Terrace foodie spot beginning the 10th of January 2020, and every Friday thereafter, from 3:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Needless to say, you’d be mad not to take advantage of this deal to satisfy your dumpling cravings and wind down your busy week. To get this deal, however, you will need to purchase a drink with your orders but this isn’t a deal-breaker since Kettle and Tin has a long list of cocktails, craft beer, and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from.

Kettle and Tin has pan-friend pork & chive or vegetable variants for its Dollar Dumplings Friday feast. No bookings necessary to get this special deal but if you must secure seats, you can book at its website or phone (07) 3369 3778.

Kettle and Tin has been one of the go-to dining places for Paddington locals since it opened in 2012. The cafe serves classic Australian brekky, lunch and dinner sprinkled with Asian flavours.

On Thursday nights, the restaurant also hosts Trivia Games, which will also be kicking off this year on the 9th of Jan.

Its regular opening hours are:

Monday, Tuesday and Sunday
7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday to Saturday
7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.