From beaches to bustling city bars: what makes these suburbs stand out

“Location, location, location!”

British real estate tycoon Lord Harold Samuel is said to have famously coined this phrase post World War II as the top three keys to success when buying property. And it still rings true today.

While personal preference reigns supreme - from isolated bush retreats to bustling inner-city party pads - there’s no denying homes in cool suburbs that ooze excitement, entertainment and energy are snapped up quickly.

Two such hotspots at perhaps different ends of the spectrum are the beachy Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast and the inner-city Melbourne suburb of Brunswick - both sought-after destinations that give homebuyers residential bragging rights.

Let’s take a tour of these two hot-to-trot suburbs and explore some apartment developments that are making the most of their iconic locations.

BRUNSWICK, MELBOURNE

Brunswick in Melbourne is a laid-back suburb that exudes cool; with refurbished pubs that often feature beer gardens; as well as cafes, bars and restaurants.

The popular destination offers an unmatched vibrancy, with a rich tapestry of cultural influences - from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern traditions to iconic live music venues and  shops along the buzzing Sydney Road that is well-serviced with Melbourne’s iconic trams.

Its charm lies in its relaxed, unpolished character – layers of history, grit, and creativity, all interwoven. Its international influences, live music venues and eclectic shops along Sydney Road create a vibrant energy, while pockets of heritage buildings and gritty character provide a reassuring sense of stability amid the suburb's ongoing transformation. 

Community Minded

The new 4 Ballarat Street apartment development in Brunswick is designed with the suburb’s community-focused and creative spirit in mind, with thoughtful features that bring people together. 

“The rooftop on level 8 offers sweeping city views and is intentionally the best spot in the building for all residents to enjoy,” said Assemble chief operating officer Emma Telfer.

“Whether hosting a dinner party, letting the kids play, or letting your dog roam free in the pet-friendly area, it’s a true extension of home.”

On the ground floor, shared spaces in the building like the workshop and Lending Library cater to DIY, creative and cooking projects. 

Engrained Character

Retaining the heritage-listed facade of the warehouse originally designed in 1955 for Hard Yakka Overalls, the building itself tells a story.

The red brick corner and reconstructed elements reveal layers of history - details that have been carefully restored to retain a piece of Brunswick’s fabric. 

Inside, shared spaces like the workshop, multi-purpose room, and rooftop provide flexible, creative environments that reflect the suburb’s dynamic spirit. 

Inspired by the site’s rich history, the building’s exterior pays homage to Brunswick’s industrial  heritage with retained red brick, feature green windows, and distinctive tiles. Durable materials  like ribbed and exposed aggregate concrete were chosen for their ability to age gracefully,  celebrating natural imperfections. 

The different materials thoughtfully scaled the building to complement its surroundings, creating a cohesive streetscape. Inside, the interiors feature a no fuss design, while a bold terracotta colour adds vibrancy, bringing a contemporary touch to the  building’s thoughtful and heritage-driven design. 

4 Ballarat Street Buyers

“A limited number of studio, one-, two- to three-bedroom apartments are  available under our purchase pathway,” Emma said.

“Our purchase pathway offers residents the unique opportunity to move in first before deciding to purchase,” Emma said.

Brunswick’s appeal lies in its ability to balance vibrant growth with the preservation of its  unique character. 

SURFERS PARADISE, GOLD COAST

Having long been a tourist destination where Aussie southerners flock to seek warmer weather and famous surf breaks, Surfers Paradise is beachlover’s institution: its long, pristine beaches are considered among the best in the world, while the Gold Coast region is also blessed with lush hinterland, rainforests and waterfalls.

Surfers Paradise is perfectly positioned in-between two of Gold Coast’s most popular locales – Main Beach to the north, a sophisticated and stylish area with the famous boutique shopping and dining strip Tedder Avenue, and Broadbeach to the south with restaurants, cafés and retail; plus the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Star Casino and Pacific Fair.

The Gold Coast’s premier arts and event space HOTA includes an epic outdoor amphitheatre, arthouse cinema, comedy club, and art gallery with rooftop bar.

Royale: Beachfront Apartment Living

The Royale apartment development is in an exclusive and tightly held residential enclave of Surfers Paradise, offering purchasers their very own piece of absolute beachfront.

Royale is the only absolute beachfront development with 2 swimming pools on the ground level along the elite strip of Northcliffe Terrace, Surfers Paradise, with the eastern and northern aspects taking advantage of all-day sun. A surfboard storage facility and waxing station is included for residents, plus a 110sqm state-of-the-art gym with sweeping beach views and a wellness centre including a steam room, sauna, spa and yoga terrace.

Club Royale on level 1 offers six-star interior styling by award-winning Mim Design, including a formal 14 seat dining room and Cucina Chef commercial kitchen; an expansive teppanyaki bar; an executive lounge that leads out to an expansive entertainer’s balcony plus a luxurious marble bar and an oversized cellar room to entertain guests.

Royale Residents

Royale Gold Coast has received strong interest from prestige property purchasers looking to ‘rightsize’ from the family home into a premium quality apartment with elevated lifestyle experiences.
 

TOTAL Property Group managing director Adrian Parsons says these buyers are seeking lifestyle properties of exceptional quality and Royale is exceeding all their expectations.

“The absolute beachfront site is ultra-premium, and the amenities are exclusive six-star – these are major drawcards for buyers looking for a special property,” said Adrian.

“There have been a large number of rightsizers looking to buy a luxury apartment, with affluent homeowners deciding it’s time to swap their large family houses for a luxury apartment that offers them a brand new, low maintenance home with an ‘extraordinary level’ of lifestyle amenity.

“Empty nesters purchasing premium apartments for when their children leave home have found Royale to be their dream beachfront apartment home.

“Royale will be home to a wonderful community of people who value the opportunity of owning a high-quality apartment on the beach.”

Designed for its Environment

Royale Gold Coast’s iconic design by DKO Architecture directly responds to the premium beachfront site, blending Surfers Paradise’s luxurious cosmopolitan elegance with Australia’s iconic relaxed beach style.

“The tower projects a luxurious laid-back feel to promote a sophisticated coastal lifestyle, with the apartment configuration designed in response to Royale’s incredible location right on the beach,” said DKO Architecture principal and founding partner Koos de Keijzer.

“Walking into these apartments with their striking open floorplans framing panoramic views of Northcliffe Beach will take anyone’s breath away.”

Connectivity

The Gold Coast Light Rail (G-Link) with nearby Northcliffe Station provides easy connection from Surfers Paradise, with services every 10 minutes going north and south, which means a day out can be as spontaneous as it is relaxed.

Surfers Paradise has its own professional hubs and neighbours the corporate precincts Bundall and Southport, which are gateways to major arterial roads connecting with two international airports – the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta 30 minutes to the south and Brisbane Airport to the north.

Buyer Opportunity

Whether you’re an inner-city hipster or a beach-loving king or queen, now is your opportunity to own your piece of enviable popularity. 

Royale Gold Coast is under construction and due for completion in 2026, while homebuyers are expected to move into 4 Ballarat Street as early as next month.