If you go out in the ‘hood today, you’re in for a big surprise!

It’s not often that an apartment in one of Balmoral’s long-standing yet well-maintained brick walk-ups re-enters the local market, so tightly held are these increasingly rare residences from once upon a time. Yet, here, at the mid-point of Balmoral’s beautiful, tree-lined Riding Rd, a rare opportunity to purchase a coveted top-floor apartment in one of these properties is exactly what you will find.

As far as real estate fairytales go, it is of course that mythical combination of price, position and property features that help make for a ‘happily ever after’. And when it comes to this particular Riding Road residence, there’s no denying it has this combination in spades.

The humble six-pack and the individual units within continue to be highly sought-after, despite also being tightly held. These oversized apartments with generous floor plans promise a certain vintage charm, while also offering unique opportunities to affordably renovate and reap further rewards.

“They just don’t make them like this anymore,” declares Duke Realty lead sales agent Jason Chave, ascending the easy walk-up to this tidy building’s top floor. And, upon setting foot inside Residence 5’s front door, it is instantly apparent just what Jason means.

With over 100m2 of floor space, there’s a welcomed sense of spaciousness to this apartment that belies its humble facade. Within, a charmed archway and long, terracotta-tiled terrace provide a hint of nostalgia, while timber flooring, airconditioned living spaces, updated bathroom fixtures and the clean lines of a contemporary kitchen with stainless steel appliances simultaneously offer all the promise of modern convenience.

A top-floor location and the wide embrace of a prized northern aspect through a long stretch of windows and glass doors are also significant in adding value to this as an airy and light-filled abode. The oversized living room and separate dining nook are both positioned to salute the morning sun, as is a private sundeck extending from the similarly north-aligned master bedroom. An internal hall provides welcome separation of living and bedroom spaces and access to the privately positioned bathroom and separate toilet.

The floorplan also accommodates a second rear bedroom which enjoys its own open-air breakout space, the perfect guest bedroom or quiet, private home office. An oversized lock-up garage with substantial storage completes the offering, with the pricetag delivering solid value and promise of solid return.

Thus, with price and property features positioning this apartment as a little red hot special, focus naturally switches to a consideration of position and the Riding Rd ‘hood. Tucked behind an unassuming white fence on this famed and fabled stretch of Brisbane’s inner East, the location does not disappoint. A mere stroll down this local artery linking the sought-after suburbs of Hawthorne, Balmoral and Bulimba reveals what the locals here have long since known: this is a neighbourhood fulfilling the fairytale fantasy of a village lifestyle at your doorstep while promising the ultimate convenience and connectivity less than 5km from the Brisbane CBD.

At both dusk and dawn, walkers pound the well-trodden path out front between Hawthorne and Oxford Street parks. Stroll easily to Hawthorne’s up-and-coming cinema and restaurant precinct or to Bulimba’s popular retail and café’ strip. The ‘Hawthorne Garage’ fresh produce market, acclaimed Paw Paw Asian Kitchen and Morningside AFL Club are also just metres down the road.

A bus stop on the apartment’s doorstep conveys you to the city or beyond or perhaps venture afield via the CityCat’s more scenic route, the Hawthorne Ferry Terminal but 1400m away. With bike lanes and public transport options in abundance, your own car is hardly a requirement at all. Acquaint yourself with local doctors, pharmacies, newsagents, corner stores, cafes and bottle shops which all round out the apartment’s radius, while a childcare centre is located three doors down and the location is firmly in catchment for the area’s best public and private schools.

Having enjoyed previous lives as both an owner-occupied urban retreat and more recently as a tenanted investment, low body corporate fees ensure purchasing here need be no cautionary tale. Act now to secure a once upon a time opportunity. For more information visit the Duke Realty website or call Jason Chave today.