There aren't many places that can boast being 10 minutes from a world-class city, 10 minutes from beautiful beaches, and under five minutes from an international airport.
Funnily enough, Brooklyn Park's spot right next to Adelaide Airport used to put buyers off. These days, the suburb's location is one of its drawcards.
"Brooklyn Park is pretty rare because it's the same distance from the city as it is the beach, so you're going to get growth - plus it's only a five-minute drive from London," joked agent Thanasi Mantopoulos at LJ Hooker Mile End Woodville.
Peter Koulizos, property expert and lecturer at the University of Adelaide, nominated Brooklyn Park in this year's realestate.com.au Hot 100.
He said the suburb's relative affordability compared to the neighbouring suburbs of Torrensville, Lockleys and Underdale meant buyers weren't so fussed about plane noise anymore.
"[It has] very good capital growth prospects, due to its proximity to the city and neighbouring prime suburbs."
Like much of Adelaide, the area has witnessed phenomenal price growth, fuelled by housing shortages.
Brooklyn Park's median house price has surged 19.6% to $1.1 million over the past 12 months. Picture: realestate.com.au/buy
The suburb's median house price has surged 19.6% to $1.1 million over the past 12 months, while units have climbed an even steeper 25.8% to $495,000.
That's still affordable compared with neighbouring Torrensville, where the median house price is $1.18m, Lockleys ($1.43m) and Underdale ($1.13m), although still above the wider Adelaide median home price of $937,000, which rose 14.6% over the year.
Decent mix of housing
But there's more to Brooklyn Park's appeal than price and position; it's also got lifestyle in spades, Mr Koulizos said.
"Brooklyn Park appeals to a number of different demographics. Firstly, families with young children because there are two childcare centres and two schools within the boundaries of Brooklyn Park," he said.
This three-bedroom house in Brooklyn Park sold for $1.2 million last month. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
"And mature families buying houses on large blocks with good-sized backyards, swimming pools, and generally extended character homes with brand new kitchens and bathrooms."
More lifestyle spots are springing up too, he added, from craft breweries and a local cellar door to new gyms and one of his favourite places, Pasta Chef.
"It's a place where you can get restaurant-grade Italian meals at half the price, just like nona would cook," he said.
This two-bedroom unit in Brooklyn Park fetched $630,000 in February. Picture: realestate.com.au/sold
Mr Mantopoulos said the suburb's housing mix was as varied as the buyers.
"There are plenty of solid brick homes and character homes on large blocks attracting families, while first-home buyers are chasing the newer builds thanks to grants," he said. "There's really something for everyone."
Carmine Catalano at Ray White Prospect said Brooklyn Park's generous 700sqm-900sqm blocks were piquing the interest of both families and developers.
University of Adelaide's Peter Koulizos nominated Brooklyn Park in this year's realestate.com.au Hot 100. Picture: Mark Brake
"Many of the original post-war homes are being knocked down for modern builds," he said. "Developers are squeezing in two, sometimes three smaller houses per block - and they're selling fast at strong prices."
Around a quarter of recent sales have been to investors, Mr Catalano added.
"They know the area's value. Some are coming from suburbs like Glenelg East and Henley Beach, where units can cost $100,000–$200,000 more but deliver lower rental yields."
Adelaide's median home price increased 14.6% to $937,000 during the year to March. Picture: Getty
Brooklyn Park is also attracting downsizers chasing easier living. With South Australia now offering stamp duty relief for eligible downsizers aged 60 and over buying a new or off-the-plan home, many Baby Boomers are selling their 1960s and ‘70s homes in the suburb for around $1.2m–$1.3m and then buying back in for $900,000–$1m.
Mr Catalano said he believed "there's definitely a lot more growth to occur" in Brooklyn Park, powered by a shortage of available homes.
"At one point this year, there wasn't a single property for sale in Brooklyn Park," he said. "In an area like this, anyone can sell a house."
Mr Mantopoulos said the surge in interest was obvious on the ground.
"You can feel the hot demand in the suburb's streets and gardens come auction day," he said.
"We've seen auction rates of over 95% in Brooklyn Park for years. I think it's just getting started."
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