🌊 Why Coogee is the Eastern Suburbs' Underrated Gem for Smart Property Developers

Ida Bahrami
2 hours ago
3 min read

For years, Coogee has lived in the shadow of its brasher neighbour, Bondi. But the tides are turning—and if you're a property developer, investor, or homeowner thinking about your next move in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs, Coogee deserves your full attention.

At OwnerDeveloper, we help clients pinpoint opportunities in areas that blend liveability with long-term capital growth—and Coogee ticks every box. Let’s explore why this iconic beachside suburb is fast becoming a hotspot for property potential.

🏠 Fast Facts: Coogee’s Property Market at a Glance (2025)

Property Type	Median Price	YoY Growth	Rental Yield
Houses	$4.22M	+14.7%	2.1%
Units	$1.5M	+7.2%	3.6%
3-Bed Houses	$3.05M	-	-
2-Bed Units	$1.425M	-	-

Coogee has proven resilient, with double-digit growth for houses and consistent returns for unit investors. Days on market remain low (45–52 days), indicating strong buyer demand.

🏖️ Liveability That Sells: Beachside Charm with Urban Convenience

Coogee offers what every buyer and tenant dreams of:

A pristine beach, safe for families and perfect for swimmers, paddlers and sunbathers.
The famous Bondi to Coogee coastal walk, a magnet for tourists and locals alike.
Heritage ocean pools like Wylie’s Baths and Ross Jones Memorial Pool.
Dining and lifestyle: From laid-back brunch at Barzura to sunset cocktails at Coogee Pavilion’s rooftop, Coogee is growing in culinary sophistication.

It's no surprise this suburb ranks high for families, professionals, retirees and lifestyle buyers alike.

🛠️ From Seaside Resort to Development Opportunity

While Coogee still carries the DNA of its early 1900s resort town roots, modern infrastructure and renewed council planning are unlocking its future potential.

In 2024, Randwick Council approved a $111 million redevelopment of the Coogee Bay Hotel, including:

A new hotel precinct
Premium apartments
Retail and dining enhancements

This injection of capital signals a wider revitalisation of the suburb—perfect timing for boutique developers and renovators to position themselves ahead of the curve.

🧠 What Property Developers Should Know

At OwnerDeveloper, we’ve helped clients navigate builds and renovations across the Eastern Suburbs. Here’s why Coogee is primed for your next project:

✅ High-Value Buyer Pool: Median incomes exceed the Sydney average by over 35%. 41% of locals are professionals, and 21% earn $2,000+/week.

✅ Renters & Owner-Occupiers: 53% of residents rent, while many others are long-term homeowners—creating dual markets for build-to-sell and build-to-rent models.

✅ Zoning & Demand: With over 2400 unit buyers active and limited land supply, well-positioned developments are in high demand.

✅ Walkability & Transport: Excellent walkability, local amenities, and multiple bus routes to the CBD make it attractive for commuters despite limited parking.

🚧 The Development Reality: What to Watch Out For

While Coogee is idyllic, developers must be prepared for:

🅿️ Limited parking & congestion—plan for underground or off-street solutions.
🏗️ Approval complexities—heritage overlays and community sensitivities can impact designs.
💸 Premium pricing—construction and acquisition costs are high, but so is ROI when projects are managed right.

That’s where our expertise at OwnerDeveloper comes in—helping you balance compliance, design feasibility, and profit margins from pre-DA to handover.

💬 Final Thoughts: Should You Build in Coogee?

If you're looking for a suburb with:

Strong capital growth potential,
A beachside lifestyle that’s always in demand,
Solid rental returns,
And ongoing public and private investment...

Then Coogee isn’t just a great place to live—it’s a smart place to develop.

📞 Ready to unlock Coogee’s potential?

Book a free consultation with our team at OwnerDeveloper. We’ll help you navigate everything from tender pricing to council approvals—so your next project delivers on time, on budget, and without the stress.