Nine reasons to get in early at Denman Prospect
We were curious to see what was on offer [at Denman Propsect] so took a drive up to see the suburb-in-progress for ourselves this week. Now we’re wishing we were in the market for a new house so we could buy a piece of it for ourselves. Here’s why …
1. Vision
If you could get the team behind Canberra Airport (recently named ACT Business of the Year in the Telstra Business Awards) to oversee the development of your new home suburb, you would, wouldn’t you. The entire Denman Prospect precinct is being developed by the award-winning, environmentally savvy team behind the airport and neighbouring Brindabella Business Park and Majura Park. It’s the first time Capital Property Group, owned by Canberra’s Snow family and headed up by Canberra Airport Managing Director Stephen Byron, has ventured into the residential property market. They will want Denman Prospect to be a showcase for future residential projects, so expect everything about it to be fabulous and completed in a timely manner.
2. Elevation
Have you been up to take a look at Denman Prospect? If you’re even vaguely considering a property investment, you must. The views are superb. You’ll feel as though you’re on top of the world, looking across at the Arboretum in one direction and Stromlo Forest Park in the other, and down on the CBD, the Parliamentary Triangle, Woden, Weston Creek and neighbouring Molonglo suburbs of Coombs and Wright. The suburb backs onto native bushland and is surrounded by rolling hills. But that height doesn’t mean you’ll be exhausted from hiking up hill and down dale when you take the dog for a walk. We’re talking gentle inclines once you reach the suburb.
3. Lifestyle
Recreational hub Stromlo Forest Park, with its 1.2km road criterium cycling circuit, 2.5km grass cross country running track, network of equestrian trails and over 40km of mountain bike trails, is five minutes away by car and ten minutes by bike. Work on a new 50m pool is scheduled to commence next year so residents can dive in from 2019. Tourist accommodation, an enclosed oval, district playing fields and a 12km road cycling circuit are all also included in the final master plan for the park. River swimming at nearby Uriarra Crossing is a summer weekend must.
4. Proximity
Whether you’re headed to Civic, Woden or Belconnen from Denman Prospect, you’re looking at a 10-15 minute car trip. This means both The Canberra Hospital and Calvary Hospital at Bruce are a quick drive away. Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and the Airport are 20-25 minutes away, with Cooleman Court 5-10 minutes down the road. A school is planned for Denman Prospect, with Charles Weston School already open at Coombs. The Molonglo Group Centre, which will be similar in size to Jamison, will be built directly to the north of Denman.
5. Prestige
5. Among the blocks on offer are five of the eleven blocks on Denman Ridge, the most exclusive precinct in the suburb. These large blocks back directly onto Ridgeline Park, an area that will be landscaped to feature playgrounds, public art, elevated lookouts, cycling tracks, community gardens and even outdoor table tennis facilities. The highly sought-after properties will have stunning views.
6. Convenience
If you’d prefer to live closer to the Craven’s Village shopping centre, without missing out on the suburb’s fine views, the 25 previously unreleased blocks in the Mountain View section of the development may hold more appeal. Within the most elevated north facing precinct of Denman Prospect, these properties look towards the Molonglo River Valley and the Brindabellas. Blocks range in size from 408m² to 822m². Mountain View sits between Ridgeline Park, Craven’s Creek and Craven’s Crossing Park and the shopping centre.
7. Value
You can buy ahead of the market at 2016 prices with anticipated settlement in June 2017 for Denman Ridge and January 2018 for Mountain View, and prices for some blocks start from an affordable $395,000.
8. Choice
You can choose your own architect, draftsman or builder if you buy in Denman, though building guidelines will ensure appropriate standards are met and that there is a mix of architectural styles in each street.
9. Art
Striking sculptures from local and international artists have been selected to feature throughout Denman Prospect. The first is by New Zealand sculptor Phil Price, known locally for his kinetic piece at the entry to Canberra Airport. The public artworks will complement the very best children’s playgrounds, outdoor sport parks, a dog park, walking and mountain bike tracks, pocket parks, ponds and a natural amphitheatre.
This article originally appeared on The RiotACT.