Potts Point is truly diverse.
Unlike a lot of places, it can never be categorised as one thing – except eclectic.
How I ended up in Potts Point
Everyone has their own story about how they ended up in Potts Point – it’s a real melting pot.
I lived here for a while when I was in my twenties and starting my career. I was cutting my teeth with McGrath Real Estate at the time and was selling property in other parts of the Eastern Suburbs, but not on my own doorstep. I spent seven years there and learned a lot from my mentors before taking a year off.
It’s fair to say I enjoyed something of a misspent youth and spent as much time surfing as I could.
When I returned to real estate my old friend Andrew Hoggett, who was one of the owners of Richardson & Wrench at Potts Point, kindly gave me a job. That was over 20 years ago and I haven’t looked back.
Selling real estate in Potts Point
While I’d enjoyed living here for a time, selling real estate in Potts Point was new to me. There was such a range of property and I found I absolutely loved that. You’d meet people from all different backgrounds and most of them were interesting people who did interesting things. I’m a people person, and so real estate and Potts Point quickly became a way of life for me, and a really big part of my life – not a job.
I was also drawn to Potts Point’s vibrancy. Here was a suburb with restaurants, coffee shops, retail, parks, bars, nightlife and great places to live all within a 4km radius. It’s one of the most densely populated suburbs in the country, with more than 10,000 residents living within 4-5 km. It’s different to almost anywhere else in Australia – people have apartments over shops and restaurants, so it’s the closest thing we’ve got to Soho in New York.
That also gives it a great village atmosphere. Everybody does their best to get along and you see the same people about all the time. That gives you the chance to make a lot of friends.
I also love the topography of Potts Point. It has a fabulous position – right on the harbour between Bondi and the city. Because it’s on a hill, you get views to the east of the harbour, views to the north of the bridge and harbour, views to the west of the bridge and city. And to the south, you look down over Paddington and Rushcutters Bay.
The diversity and beauty
Potts Point has an edgy, eclectic heartbeat, and it all spills off the main artery: Macleay Street.
The diversity is what I like – every demographic is represented. From young single people to couples, families, retirees, it has a real mix of everything. Increasingly families don’t want to leave and so there are more and more children living here. At the same time, older downsizers from out of the area are drawn to the city lifestyle.
There’s also diversity in the architecture: from classic art deco to new modern apartments. Everybody seems to have their favourite building and the streets are made even more beautiful by the plane trees.
Then there’s Rushcutters Bay Park and the Fishpond park (Arthur McElhone Reserve) near Elizabeth Bay House. Occasionally I like to sit down there and make my calls and have lunch. The El Alamein Fountain is another beautiful landmark that’s stood the test of time in amongst the edginess of the Cross. Cafe Giorgio has recently opened right beside the fountain and is a fantastic place to sit and soak up the atmosphere over a great meal or coffee.
I enjoy having meetings at lots of different coffee shops. I also love visiting the markets after my open home inspections on a Saturday. I grab some gozleme and take home some flowers for my wife.
It’s always on the move
I also love that Potts Point keeps on changing. One of the biggest changes I’ve seen in the last 20 years is the increased price and desirability of terrace houses. People are much more comfortable living here than they once were. The lockout laws mean the Cross is changing too. And new developments are gradually transforming the whole area. There’s also little things, like the rules in some older buildings around animals in apartments being modified.
One of the other great things is that the traffic isn’t bad, unlike a lot of the East. Potts Point is more of a destination. If you’re coming here you drive into Points Point, but not through it. But you don’t even need a car when everything’s so walkable.
Really – Potts Point has got so much to offer. I absolutely love it.
