Pyrmont: The inner-city hub with a surprising suburban feel
Only a hop, skip and jump from the city centre yet offering the serenity usually associated with more suburban enclaves, Pyrmont has left its industrial and working-class history behind and morphed into a well-heeled locale favoured by young professionals.
Two kilometres west of the CBD and bound by water on three sides and Ultimo to the south, Pyrmont has added about 2000 new dwellings and welcomed 5000 new residents over the past 20 years, bringing the population close to 13,000.
A local of 24 years, Pyrmont Personal Training founder Karen Withers has watched it evolve.
“When I moved in … there wasn’t a lot around here,” she says.
“Now, there are lots of people and lots of dogs and you can get everything you need. The thing I like best is it’s so centrally located but so quiet … we’re living in the middle of the city but you would never know it.”
The suburb has a number of parks – including the award-winning 1.8-hectare Pirrama Park – retail and restaurants are concentrated in the heritage precinct along Harris Street and Union Square, and there are two supermarkets and plenty of specialty stores.
There’s a great selection of waterfront dining on the wharves.
Morton Pyrmont agent Ian Qiu says high rise apartments at pet-friendly Jacksons Landing are now home to young families, retirees and city workers, and premium boutique buildings like Paragon are popping up, targeting downsizers looking for house-like apartments.
“More and more owners are moving in here and a lot more young families are staying in apartments a lot longer,” Qiu says.
“Convenience is a big drawcard. We’ve got plenty of cafes and eateries, lots of parkland and a plethora of childcare centres.”
Serviced by bus, light rail and ferry, Pyrmont is also home to The Star casino and the Sydney Fish Markets, which will move in 2024.
Top two
Set within Jacksons Landing and boasting a north-east aspect, this apartment has access to excellent community facilities, including indoor and outdoor pools, gyms, tennis courts and a function centre.
Recently updated this bright apartment faces north-east with views of the city skyline. There’s a gas and granite kitchen, a bathroom with integrated laundry and access to a communal rooftop terrace.
