Exciting new developments coming to Belconnen. Image: Geocon.
The district of Belconnen finds its humble beginnings as a Naval Transmitting Station in 1939, connected to north Canberra only by a gravel road. But once the district of Belconnen was gazetted in 1966, so began the transformation of Belconnen from a post office and electricity station to the sprawling, picturesque residential and commercial district that we know today.
Over the following decade or so, the area would undergo an enormous facelift. Ginninderra Creek would become Lake Ginninderra, the first section of Belconnen Way would open, planning for the town centre would begin, and numerous suburbs would open as primary schools, post offices and shopping centres appeared all over the area. By 1976, over a quarter of Canberra’s total population was living in Belconnen district.
Belconnen Fresh Food Markets. Photo: Daniella Jukic.
Belconnen has continued to grow and develop over the last few decades into a lively, convenient and idyllic residential and commercial district. A young area with a median age of 30, it is particularly popular among students and public servants, not only for its convenience but its affordability – in a competitive housing market like Canberra’s, Belconnen sets itself apart from other districts by offering some of the most affordable rental rates for a town centre that you could find.
Aside from the obvious financial benefits of living in an area like Belconnen, the town centre and the surrounding district all offer unique attractions that make the area perfect for people of all backgrounds and interests. For fitness junkies there’s the sports and leisure centre at CISAC and the Olympic Pool at the AIS, plus the well-maintained footpaths around the lake that are perfect for running and cycling. For weekend activities, there’s the Lake Ginninderra Dog Park, a fenced-in area by the lake for you and your furry friends, Big Splash waterpark and ten pin bowling for the whole family and, of course, Westfield Belconnen for all of your shopping needs.
Belconnen is the perfect suburb for you and your furry friend. Photo: Region Media.
In terms of convenience, Belconnen is extremely well designed and accessible, with some of the best public transport infrastructure in Canberra. With a dedicated bus corridor serving the Belconnen district and connecting it to the City Centre, and the ACT light rail planning to build a light rail corridor to connect Belconnen to the City, living in Belconnen has never been more convenient.
According to the ACT Government’s Belconnen Master Plan for development of the area, Belconnen’s future is looking bright. Development plans for the area intend to take full advantage of the area’s unique attributes, such as the lakefront, the open spaces and nearby institutions like the University of Canberra. By improving upon older areas like car-parks and empty plots with new residential and commercial buildings, and strengthening existing areas by making safe, sustainable, accessible and attractive areas for all residents, Belconnen is set to become one of the best commercial and residential hubs in Canberra.
Belconnen is already a fantastic area to live for so many reasons, and it’s only improving with time. As more and more Canberrans flock to the area for its family-friendly vibe, affordable pricing and unbeatable convenience, local businesses and residential developments will continue to grow and improve as well.
View of Belconnen Town Centre across Lake Ginninderra. Photo: Region Media.
New developments in Belconnen
Ginninderry
Ginninderry is a sustainable community of international significance in the Capital Region.
Raising the bar for best practice in sustainability, design, construction and innovation, Ginninderry will inspire a new way of living. With the Brindabella Range as the backdrop and surrounded by the Murrumbidgee River and Ginninderra Creek, this community will be enjoyed for generations.
Around 30,000 people will settle in Ginninderry's four suburbs that span the ACT and NSW with housing options for all tastes, lifestyles and budgets. These options include traditional blocks for large family homes, compact homes for low-maintenance living and everything in between.
Ginninderry's first award-winning suburb is Strathnairn, and the next suburb is Macnamara.
Ginninderry is only 20 minutes to Canberra city, 10 minutes to the Belconnen Town Centre and a 5-minute walk to a park or open space from every home.
Cirrus
Live life luxuriously at Cirrus. Modernity meets minimalism in this apartment complex, which finds its inspiration in the design of 5-star hotels and resorts. Every apartment faces north, taking advantage of both the waterfront location and Canberra’s abundant natural light, and features generous balconies to give you the perfect retreat from busy city life. The ground floor is filled with fine restaurants and commercial spaces, plus a shared pool and gym floor that connects both of the Cirrus towers. Cirrus opens up immediately onto Emu Bank, putting you less than 1km from Westfield Belconnen for ultimate convenience.
Nightfall
Nightfall, the latest addition to the Republic precinct, is the glittering finale of the entire project. Boasting 22 stories, 30 floorplan types, two customisable colour schemes and a premium upgrade package, Nightfall delivers on all of the promises of Republic and more.
The apartments are modern, filled with high-quality appliances and make clever use of space, and you can choose between one bedroom, one bedroom plus study, or two-bedroom layouts – as well as two colour schemes – to truly make your apartment feel like your home. Generous, protected balconies blend the indoors with the outdoors, plus a residents-only courtyard/entertainment level allows you to retreat to the tranquil private areas without sacrificing entertainment, value or quality.
Republic
The herald of Geocon's Republic precinct development, the Republic residential tower delivers on all the promises of the precinct itself – a seamless blend of home and public life, while still prioritising privacy and exclusivity, placing everything you could possibly need within effortless reach.
At Republic, your apartment is your haven. With three colour schemes, open plan living, SMEG appliances, and your very own private balcony overlooking the lake, Republic is all about prestige, comfort, and unbeatable value for money.
Dusk
Contemporary styling, modern amenities and waterfront views – live life in style at Dusk, the second instalment of the Republic precinct. Dusk blurs the line between day and night with access to private amenities open 24/7 and the bustling Urban at Republic plaza keeping you entertained anytime you need.
The centrepiece of Dusk is an entire floor of private amenity, so while you still get to benefit from everything going on in the Republic precinct, you can also enjoy tranquil spaces to relax on your own, intimate spaces to connect with family and friends, and venues to help you celebrate life’s biggest moments in unbeatable style.
High Society
Geocon’s promise of elevating Canberra living to new heights takes physical form with High Society. The two behemoth towers, the crown jewels of Geocon’s Republic precinct, are the tallest residential towers in Canberra, with 27 stories and 542 apartments.
High Society offers uncompromising levels of private and public amenity and state-of-the-art recreational facilities, plus breathtaking views of the Canberra vista and Lake Ginninderra. The exclusive residents-only Wellness Centre features resort-standard spa, sauna, pool, gym and yoga facilities, and is open to you 7 days of the week.
The apartments themselves are durable, stylish, and fully equipped with top-of-the-line appliances – with 76 floor plans to choose from, High Society is ready to welcome singles, couples and families alike.
Urban at Republic
GEOCON is rising to meet Belconnen’s challenge. The development company is keeping pace with Belconnen, one of the most dynamic, well-connected and ever-growing suburbs in Canberra, at its most transformative stage yet.
Enter Urban at Republic, the realisation of GEOCON’s vision of building not just incredible residential buildings, but vibrant town centres, and shaping Canberra’s skyline. This giant and ambitious development project, which is set to become Canberra’s largest mixed-use lifestyle precinct, has already made leaps and bounds towards completion with several sale stages seeing apartments sell out. With five towers and three low-rise buildings, the Republic precinct will soon be comprised of 1,200 apartments, dozens of retail stores and dining venues, plus professional and recreational spaces.
All of these public and private amenities, plus the unbeatable location on the edge of Lake Ginninderra and just minutes from Westfield Belconnen, make Republic not just about good living, but great lifestyle.
The Chandler
Simplicity, quality, convenience and comfort – these are the promises that The Chandler makes to its future residents. The Chandler is located minutes away from the Belconnen town centre, CISAC and Lake Ginninderra, and boasts highly efficient floor plans, Italian engineered kitchen packages, a landscaped rooftop garden with outdoor dining area and BBQ, plus a guarantee of maximum performance at minimal maintenance cost. The result is a home of superb quality and comfort, designed to withstand the tests of time.
If you’re interested in moving into any of these developments, and you’d like to know a bit more about the area, check out our profiles on Bruce, Belconnen and Strathnairn for some more information!
If you’re looking for more information on developments in other parts of the ACT, you might like our articles on new developments in Woden, new developments in Gungahlin, new developments in Canberra city and new developments in Tuggeranong.
If you’re in need of some advice before you buy, you might like to check out the best real estate agents in Belconnen, best mortgage brokers in Canberra, or best home loan providers in Canberra.
Want to find the latest real estate listings for sale and rent in Belconnen? Zango can help you find them:
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I purchase an apartment in Belconnen?
If you are in a position to do so, purchasing an apartment can be a fantastic investment in your financial future. What's more, Belconnen is a rapidly growing area, so the value of your property will increase over time.
Is Belconnen an affordable area?
Yes! Belconnen is actually one of the most afforable places to live in Canberra, both in terms of housing prices and general cost of living. It's for this reason that Belconnen is particularly popular among university students and public servants.
How far is Belconnen from the Canberra City Centre?
The city centre is approximately 7km away from Belconnen. The route is well-serviced by buses, plus well-managed main roads and bike paths. On average, you're looking at a 10 minute commute.
Is Belconnen family-friendly?
Absolutely! From the cinemas to Zone Bowling, the dog park and the fresh food markets, plenty of schools in the area and affordable housing, Belconnen is a great place to move to with your family.
Do apartment complexes allow pets?
Most do, but you do have to seek permission from body corporate if you wish to have pets in your apartment.
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