Long thought of as the rougher, poorer cousin of neighbours Paddington, Surry Hills and Potts Point, Darlinghurst is a suburb to watch in 2023 and beyond, thanks to a slew of upcoming residential and commercial property developments.
Having already been through several rounds of gentrification, the next few years will see new residential developments, hotels, retail, office space, and creative spaces completed in the area.
Tom Penfold, Buyers Agent at Cohen Handler, Australia’s leading residential property buyers agency, said that Darlinghurst has typically been more affordable than neighbouring suburbs, but that might be about to change.
“With so many quality lifestyle developments coming online in the next few years, it’s likely we’ll see an influx of interest in purchases in Darlinghurst. I would recommend that people look at options now before demand increases too far. I would definitely think about getting ahead of the curve.”
Oxford & Foley
One of the biggest regeneration projects in the area is the TOGA Group and AsheMorgan development Oxford & Foley. This development will provide 2,300m2 of retail space, including cafes and restaurants in the laneway and indoor dining, 9,200 m2 of commercial aimed at technology, creative and innovative businesses, and a 75-room boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and bar.
Construction has begun, with the developers suggesting completion by late 2023.
Soho House
In December 2022 it was announced that global private member’s club and hotel brand Soho House would be opening in Sydney, acquiring a site just behind the Oxford & Foley development.
With its first location in London’s Soho district, Soho Houses have since opened in some of the world’s coolest cities like New York, Berlin and Paris, bringing up-market restaurants and accommodation to these locales.
A new boutique art hotel for Sydney
A Development Application has been lodged with the City of Sydney Council for a new boutique art hotel fronting historic Taylor Square. The application has 19 hotel rooms, a restaurant, a café and a rooftop bar.
And just next door…
25hours hotel
Technically in neighbouring Paddington, but literally on the border of Darlinghurst, construction of Australia’s first 25-hour hotels location is well underway at the old Pacific Blue Room location on Oxford Street. This hotel brand, known for its cool interiors and even cooler bars and the clientele is due to open in 2023.
Also, less than a five-minute walk to Darlinghurst is Oxford House, which opened in 2022. This made-for-Instagram hotel, pool, and bar have already brought the cool crowd back to the area.