Hi, I’m Sam Price Director and Lead Brisbane Buyer’s Agent from Templeton Property and today I’d like to provide a Suburb Profile on Paddington Property, where we are regularly purchasing family homes and investment properties for our clients. This blog provides an overview of the key factors for future buyers to consider before buying a property in Paddington.
Are you considering purchasing a home or investment property in beautiful Paddington in Brisbane? As a specialist Paddington Buyer’s Agent, I would be happy to chat to you about the suburb, the streets, and even particular houses. Our decades of working with the local agents guarantees we are the first to know about off market opportunities and coming soon properties. I have personally lived and invested in Paddington and would love nothing more than to help you secure a property in this wonderful suburb.
Paddington
Paddington is located 3 kilometres northwest of Brisbane City and is a trendy, family friendly residential suburb, renowned for its restaurants and café culture, quality schools and proximity to the Brisbane River and Central Business District. It’s characterised by its undulating terrain and is nested at the foothills of Mount Coot-tha. Paddington is brimming with character homes that typify the traditional timber and tin Queenslander of the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. With its strong community spirit, character and history, it is a very popular suburb to live.
Paddington shares its borders with Red Hill, Bardon, Petrie Terrace, Milton and Auchenflower.
History
It’s widely believed that Paddington was named after the London locality of the same name and in the early days of settlement, was known to be a haven for goats, that roamed freely throughout the hills. Not always an affluent inner city suburb, the area was originally referred to as being located at the ‘back of the jail’, as it was situated behind Brisbane’s main jail, which was located nearby on Petrie Terrace.
Interesting historical facts:
- Fernberg – the Governor of Queensland’s residence, was originally constructed by a well to do merchant and member of parliament Mr. J.C. Heussler in 1865. Due to the high cost to maintain the property, Mr. Heussler sold the home in 1872 and following another stint of private ownership, was on sold to the Queensland Government in 1910 and became the new Government House. The first Governor to live in Fernberg was Sir William MacGregor.
- St. Brigid’s Catholic Church was originally built in 1879, though was demolished in 1913 to allow the current church to be built on the same site.
- During the 1860’s there was a rumour that gold had been found in the Paddington area and in search of this treasure, two shafts were sunk, one of which was in the Paddington Cemetery. Unfortunately, no gold was found.
- The Petrie Terrace State School was established in 1868.
- The Given Terrace Post Office was opened in 1895.
- In 1898 a tramline was laid down, linking Bardon to the city. This led to a property boom that saw Paddington come of age.
- The Paddington Tram depot was constructed in 1915.
Credit: State Library of Queensland
Character
Paddington is home to the quintessential Brisbane timber homes called Queenslanders, as well as their smaller cousin, the Workers Cottage. Both were very popular in the late 1800’s to early 1900’s. Being built of timber and tin, these homes lend themselves to being raised and renovated, which has been extremely popular of recent decades. Paddington is home to an eclectic mix of residents from university students, couples, growing families and retirees. As a result, turnover of homes is relatively low and the demand for housing is high, which has seen Paddington property prices continue to increase for many decades. Altogether, this has made buying a property in Paddington to live or invest a fabulous choice. 
The suburb is renowned for these beautiful timber and tin character homes which are often being lovingly restored and renovated. There are pockets of units and town house developments scattered throughout the suburb, which infuses diversity into the suburb.
Given Paddington is located in a Demolition Control Precinct, the suburb is protected from excessive new developments, apartments and town house complexes. This has helped keep the ratio of houses to units in check and maintained the character of the suburb.
Education
Pre-Schools and Day Care
Ashgrove residents are spoilt for choice and options include: Chatterbox Early Learning and Child Care; Kindy Patch; C&K Community Kindergarten and Pre-School etc.
Schools
| Petrie Terrace State School | Co-Ed
| Public Primary School | 40 Moreton Street, Paddington, 4064 | (07) 3259 9333 |
| Kelvin Grove State College | Co-Ed
| Public Secondary School | Estrange Terrace, Kelvin Grove 4059 | (07) 3552 7333 |
| Milton State School | Co-Ed
| Public Primary School | Bayswater Street, Milton, 4064 | (07) 3514 6333 |
| Ithaca State School | Co-Ed
| Public Primary School | Lugg Street, Milton | (07) 3514 9333 |
To find out how to investigate school catchments in Paddington and Brisbane, please refer to our Blog located here: How to investigate school catchments in Brisbane?
Shops and Dining
Many residents of Paddington have the luxury of being able to walk to their local neighbourhood shops and for their weekly grocery shop, the suburb is well serviced by supermarket options. The main shopping complex at Paddington is located at the intersections of Warmington Street and Latrobe Terrace. This complex provides a Woolworths as well as a host of smaller stores including a bakery, butcher, bottle shop, post office, medical rooms, pharmacy, cafes and restaurants.
Buying a property in Paddington and in walking distance of Rosalie Village is a popular request by clients of Templeton Property. Rosalie Village is a popular neighbourhood shopping area and provides bakeries; café’s; numerous bottle shops and wine bar; restaurants; hair dressers; chemist etc.
The Broncos League Club is located in walking distance of residents located at the northern end of Paddington in Red Hill and Paddington is also home to Suncorp Stadium, which sees the area surrounding the stadium come alive during the various sporting seasons and touring concerts.
Popular cafes include: The Java Lounge; Chapter IV; Blackout; Sassafras; Merlo; Lil Gypsy; Anouk; Guava Espresso; and the list goes on.
Health
Paddington has a wide range of medical practitioners ranging from the various doctors’ surgeries, dentists, physiotherapists, as well as specialists.
A choice of gym’s and fitness options are catered for in Paddington including Anytime Fitness; F45; FITA U Performance Centre; PCYC; CrossFit etc.
Transport
One of the main positives of buying a property in Paddington is its location 3 kilometres to the Brisbane Central Business District, making the city commute from Paddington very manageable, with many people electing to regularly walk to the city.
Brisbane City Council bus services provide regular transport connections along Latrobe and Given Terrace, direct to the city and surrounding suburbs. The Great Circle Bus Line also links the major shopping centres to Paddington and the City Glider service provides ease of access to the city as well as Suncorp Stadium, the Gabba and South Bank etc.
Whilst Paddington does not have a train station, the nearest one is located nearby in Milton. City Cat ferry services are also available from Milton and provide a delightful and quick mode of transport into the city.
Parks
Paddington has plenty of parks and outdoor areas, promoting a healthy outdoor lifestyle for its residents
Frew Park is a well-known and popular park for children’s birthday parties and barbeques. For the older kids, there is a an area for basketball and an extensive adventure play area. Frew Park is also home to the Roy Emerson Tennis Centre.
Neal Macrossan Playground and Park is a popular dog park located off Caxton Street, with access from Moreton and Caroline Streets.
Employment
Although a large number of local residents commute to the city daily, the suburb is home to quite a number of small businesses that either operate from a local shop front or directly from home. Serviced offices in nearly Milton caters for small businesses and sole practitioners wanting a local base from which to work.
Noise
Paddington is not located beneath any major flight paths therefore plane noise is not an issue.
The busiest roads in the suburb are: Given Terrace; Latrobe Terrace, Enoggera Terrace; and Baroona Road.
Flooding
Pockets of Paddington are subject to flooding and many houses were inundated in the most recent flooding. To find out how to undertake a flood search in Paddington, please refer to our Blog located here: How to check if a property is flood affected in Brisbane?
Demographics (2021 Census)
- Population of Paddington – Milton: 12,197
- Male: 49.4%
- Female: 50.6%
- Median Age: 33
- Number of families: 2,952
- Average of children per family: 1.8
- Number of private dwellings: 5,686
- Average number of people per household: 2.3
- Median weekly household income: $2,426
- Property owned outright: 20.9%
- Property owned with mortgage: 26.6%
- Property rented: 50.6%
Credit 2021 Census
Buying a property in Paddington? Market insights for houses (October 2022)
- The median house price in Paddington: $1,837,500
- Price growth for houses in Paddington over the last 12 months: 31.3%
- The number of houses sold in Paddington in the last 12 months: 100
- Median time it takes on market for a house to sell in Paddington: 61 days
Rental return for buying a property in Paddington – houses (October 2022)
- Average gross rental return for a house in Paddington: 2.3%
- Median rental price for houses in Paddington: $725per week
- Rental growth for houses in Paddington over the last 12 months: 6.6%
- Median time it takes on market for a house to lease in Paddington: 17 days
Buying a property in Paddington? Market insights for units (October 2022)
- The median unit price in Paddington: $700,000
- Price growth for units in Paddington over the last 12 months: 16.9%
- The number of units sold in Paddington in the last 12 months: 76
- Median time it takes on market for a unit to sell in Paddington: 36 days
Rental return for buying a property in Paddington – units (October 2022)
- Average gross rental return for a unit in Paddington: 4.4%
- Median rental price for units in Paddington: $450per week
- Rental growth for units in Paddington over the last 12 months: 11.8%
- Median time it takes on market for a unit to lease in Paddington: 15 days
Credit: REA 2022
Considering buying a property in Paddington?
Here are 3 sales of properties in Paddington:
Type: Detached house (low end)
Address: 72 Guthrie Street, Paddington QLD 4064
Comprising: 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom cottage on 443m2.
Sold: October 2022 for $1,190,000
Link to RealEstate.com.au sale information.
Type: Unit (average) 
Address: 8/88 Elizabeth Street, Paddington QLD 4064
Comprising: 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms single level unit.
Sold: October 2022 for $630,000
Link to RealEstate.com.au sale information.
Type: Detached house (high end)
Address: 204 Kennedy Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064
Comprising: 5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with city views and pool on 799m2.
Sold: August 2022 for $3,300,000
Link to RealEstate.com.au sale information.
Summary
Paddington is a charming, leafy and family friendly suburb that provides something special to its residents and we hope this blog has been helpful to you if you are looking at buying a property in Paddington. If we can assist you further and you would like to chat to a Paddington Buyer’s Agent who has personally lived and invested in Paddington, please don’t hesitate to contact us at your convenience.
Have a property related question you would like answered?
Feel free to contact us via email admin@templetonproperty.com.au or call 07 3368 1988
We look forward to hearing from you.
Sam Price, Director & Lead Buyer’s Agent – Templeton Property Brisbane.
