My Neighbourhood with Simon Gowling

Teleisha Thomas

April 2024

Simon Gowling 1 edited — With a real estate career spanning almost two decades, Simon Gowling has spent this time selling homes in the sought-after suburbs of Port Phillip. The appeal of the area’s proximity to the city and the bay, superb period homes, and world-class sporting events such as the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, is a magnet for locals and expats alike. We sat down with Simon to talk about living and working in Middle Park, and learn his insider’s perspective on the premium property market.
**What attracted you to start a career in property?**
I have always liked property and sales, and I was offered a job from a director of a local Albert Park firm at a New Year’s Eve party back in 2005, the rest is history. I enjoy the diversity of the role and helping my clients achieve their property goals. Real estate is obviously a very emotional thing and it’s great when you see people so happy with their purchase or their sale.

Port Phillip has always been one of the most exclusive locales in Melbourne, with its suburbs regularly featuring in 'Melbourne's most sought-after' lists. Why do you think this is?

This area has always been very exclusive given it is so tightly held and it’s so beautiful. There aren’t too many homes in this relatively small patch nestled between the bay and the lake compared to most other suburbs in Melbourne, and so properties hold their value given the limited opportunities that arise. I love the fact that there is no traffic around this area and you can move around quite freely on a day-to-day basis. Most streets are wide and leafy, and lined with beautiful period style homes. There are strict heritage guidelines that apply in this area so these homes are also protected from over development.

Albert Park — **The quarterly price change for Middle Park is up 4.28%*. Why do you think this is, and where do you see the demand coming from?**
We are seeing more and more people wanting to move from other suburbs in Melbourne as the traffic gets denser and people are realising this this area is truly amazing. I do believe it is the best place to live in Melbourne; there's nowhere else where you can be this close to the bay and the city, and still so close to Chapel St, Toorak Rd or even St Kilda, all while still living in an area with no traffic congestion.

What do you love most about living and working in Port Phillip?

I love the lifestyle. It’s a bubble, but a very good bubble to live in. I live 200m from the beach, about 200m from the primary school - which makes drop off very easy with my kids, I work 1 minute away and all my appointments are usually between a 30 second to 5 minute drive away. MSAC and the gym is 700m away from my house and we are spoiled for choice for restaurants, café’s, and wine bars/pubs. Some more higher end retail boutiques are starting to move into the area too.

Tell to us about the community culture in Port Phillip.

Jellis Craig Port Phillip is the major sponsor for the South Melbourne and Districts Football, Cricket and Athletics Clubs, as well as both Albert Park and Middle Park Primary. We also sponsor the Emerald Hill Mission, which assists members of our community who are disadvantaged or experiencing homelessness.

The Jellis Craig team are often down at the local primary schools and on the barbie for things like Mother's/Father’s Day breakfasts or involved in charity auctions at the School fêtes. I am also the drummer in the MPP Parents band, so we are involved in the Parents Battle of the Bands and also play at the fêtes and any other events that the Principal want us for. Its good fun!

What advice would you give to an up-and-coming agent on how to form and maintain great relationships?

Just do the right thing. It’s simple. If you do that you will have a great career and have lots of repeat business.

Pontoon — If you had a friend visiting from interstate, where would you take them for:

For coffee: **Sandbar** for coffee, though it’s great for a day at the beach and afternoon drinks with fries and a swim too!
For an activity: If they like golf, the new **driving range in Albert Park.**
For dinner: **Stokehouse,** St Kilda.
For a drink: **Village Wine Bar** for a vino.

Do you remember the first home you sold in the area?

The first home I ever listed and sold was next door to the first house I ever bought, in Heath St Port Melbourne! How's that for a coincidence!

Tell us about ‘home’.

I live in Wright St Middle Park with my beautiful wife and super-mum Danielle, and my 3 children Jack, Grace and Hugh. Life is awesome, but incredibly busy.

What does a typical Sunday look like and what are your interests outside of real estate?

Sunday for us is family time. I am very protective of Sundays,as it’s my only day with them. We might take the kids to the beach or something fun like festivals, the zoo or a drive to the country to visit a winery or even strawberry picking, maybe even Luna Park if the kids are lucky enough!