ITS name is far from original and it has a string of arterial roads running through the middle of it. But there is far more to East Brisbane than meets the eye.
For one thing, it is one of the few inner-city suburbs where houses outnumber apartments.
Renovated Queenslanders and traditional worker’s cottages line the leafy streets nestled between Lytton Rd, Vulture St East and Stanley St East.
Mowbray Park on the river provides green space and transport options through the CityCat stop, while some of Brisbane’s best schools are located a stone’s throw away.
East Brisbane State School – located next to The Gabba – is one of several sought-after institutions that requires students to live in the nearby catchment area.
Anglican Church Grammar School – or Churchie as it is more commonly known – is the area’s only private school, offering education for boys from Prep to Year 12.
Real estate agent Brett O’Connor said traditionally East Brisbane lacked its own identity because it was seen as a thoroughfare to places like Woolloongabba and West End.
“In a respect that’s probably been something in the past that has been its downfall and saviour at the same time,” he said.
“It might account for why there are not as many high-rise developments in East Brisbane.”
While units remain a rare sight, in recent years the suburb has started to forget its own character.
Restaurants, cafes and bars have appeared, bringing new people to the area and catering to the needs of its 6300 residents.
James Guldberg and Erinn Jordan opened The Catbird Seat Bistro on Stanley St East two-and-a-half years ago.
Mr Guldberg had worked as an executive chef at other top end Brisbane restaurants, but this was the couple’s first joint venture.
Ms Jordan said they loved the “old school charm” of the area.
“There is the proximity to the city and the fact it is a little community just outside the city,” she said.
The pair – whose modern European style bistro is one of several venues to open in East Brisbane in recent years – said they hoped its charm was not lost as interest in the area increased.
“There is a lot of opportunities here,” Ms Jordan said.
Someone who knows all about the opportunities on offer in East Brisbane is Paul Van Deurse.
He opened the Cottage Garden Nursery Centre on Stanley St East 18 years ago, but it quickly transformed into a place that offered more than just plants.
Within three years a cafe had appeared on the site.
It has since been joined by independently operated antique and clothing stores.
In many ways the venue serves as a central hub for the community.
The Smug Fig Cafe is a hive of activity most days of the week.
Mums in active wear discuss school schedules over brunch, retired couples enjoy a morning coffee and workers hold business meetings away from the office.
Mr Van Deurse said the nursery was opened up to other tenants at the request of the community.
“People were asking to come in,” he said.
Mr Van Deurse said he loved the vibe of East Brisbane.
“I think it’s just an enjoyable suburb,” he said.
“As West End is starting to fill up … more and more people are now looking at the East Brisbane area.
“There are a lot more houses fetching higher prices, but it is still a little bit of an undiscovered pocket of Brisbane.”
Mr O’Connor – who opened his O’Connor Realty business in East Brisbane 25 years ago – said median house prices had jumped by 30 per cent in the past five years.
Buyers will now have to fork out between $800,000 and $840,000 for a house.
Mr O’Connor said the prevalence of homes in East Brisbane made it an “investor’s paradise”.
“It is kind of against the grain of the way greater development is moving,” he said.
“When you have a point of difference and you’re bucking the trend, you’re going to make money.”
Original Published By: http://www.couriermail.com.au/