The property market is something Aussies spend more time thinking about than they’d like to admit to, but everyone knows not all homes are created equal. Here at On The Market, we scour countless property listings to share the best of the best, from palatially proportioned waterfront palaces to meticulously designed studio apartments.
This spectacular Balmain home is about as close to living on the water as you can get, without actually paying the seven-figure premium it’d probably cost you to be on the water.
Hidden from the street yet opening dramatically with views out across the water of Sydney Harbour, this residence features both architecture and interiors by Nina Maya, whose team has nicely balanced scale and intimacy.
As far as interior details, expect oak joinery that works well with the contrasting marble and quartz surfaces, while the full-floor living level dissolves to a limestone and basalt terrace with pool and lawn, oriented entirely to the skyline.
Inside, there are four ensuite bedrooms (crowned by a sculptural master suite) that form a private retreat upstairs, with other features including lift access, a gym, and layered entertaining zones.
Address: 1 Grafton Lane, Balmain, NSW 2041
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 5
Car spaces: 4
Price Guide: $10,000,000
The pinnacle of Brisbane living – both literally and figuratively – can be found in this penthouse that enjoys half a floor within the acclaimed Luminare residences.
Located in Newstead, the home begins with a dramatic entry, leading to 28m of uninterrupted glazing and a monolithic travertine fireplace, all of which is framed by sweeping 270-degree views of the city.
Italian materials and precise joinery define the interiors, including a five-metre quartzite island, bronze accents, and full-height timber veneer, while there’s also a ballroom-scale lounge area, a private office, and a gallery-like bedroom wing.
Its future owner will also enjoy a sculpted terrace with a plunge pool, as well as the world-class amenities also offered within the building.
Address: Penthouse of 2501/20 Festival Place, Newstead, QLD 4006
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 5
Car spaces: 4
Price Guide: $20,000,000
Originally built in the 1890s and held for more than three decades, this Darlinghurst terrace balances heritage proportion with modern taste, serving up high ceilings, ornate cornices, and brush box floors that cement its period of construction.
More contemporary sensibilities can be felt in the open-plan living space and the granite-topped kitchen, nicely balancing the best of the past and present.
Spanning multiple levels, the property culminates on a private rooftop terrace that nicely frames the views of the city out towards Sydney Tower, and for when the work day calls, there’s also a separate self-contained studio that extends the architecture’s flexibility. Quietly refined yet deeply practical, it’s a classic inner-city terrace thoughtfully evolved for present-day living.
Address: 219 Bourke Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Car spaces: 0
Price Guide: $2,200,000
