Mt Eliza's Watts Parade is 2nd most in demand and desired street in Australia

[bayside]

‘Mt Eliza’s Watts Parade a must-see prestige spot near the water (08 NOV 2018)
‘WATTS Parade’s prestige homes and coveted location close to a beautiful beach in Mt Eliza has seen many house hunters check out its properties.

The street is lined with multimillion-dollar homes with stunning water views and is second after a Richmond street on a new list of Melbourne’s most popular stretches.

New data shows properties along Watts Pde, just steps to the famed Canadian Bay beach, have attracted plenty of views on realestate.com.au over the past three years.

Realestate.com.au chief economist Nerida Conisbee said areas such as Watts Pde “offered a mix of water views, large houses and closeness to amenities”.

Sought-after streets in Mt Eliza, she noted, are “areas that have water views” where “most of the houses are quite luxurious”.

“There are quite a few people out there having a sticky beak at them,” Ms Conisbee said.

It was not a surprise that Watts Pde attracted so many views, local agents said.

Prominent owners, some very expensive listings and a Golden Mile location, all contributed to the street’s popularity, Vicki Sayers of RT Edgar Mt Eliza said.

“Although it can be a busy road at times, it offers significant and large landholdings and is also tightly held,” Ms Sayers said.

Veteran Mt Eliza agent Terry Sparks said one of the most prominent past landowners was the late Sir Laurence Hartnett, the engineer dubbed the ‘The Father of the Holden’.

In the 1930s, the Hartnett family bought a then rural acreage along Watts Pde and built a mansion called Rubra as a weekender and family retreat.

Like many other large allotments, the property was subdivided into smaller housing lots.

“It is a historic area with many period homes and some with better water views than others,” Mr Sparks said.

The sale in September of 19 Watts Pde for $6.6 million is Mt Eliza’s top sale so far this year.

Listed for sale with a price guide of $6.3-$6.5 million is 28 Watts Pde, a grand tri-level home with spectacular views and resort-style features.’