Newcastle West Overview
Newcastle West, an inner suburb of the city of Newcastle is located 3km to the west of the CBD.
Traditionally, Newcastle West has served as the western barrier between Newcastle city and the industry and suburbs that lie beyond. The urban renewal of the tiny city fringe suburbs of Wickham and Newcastle West capture all that is good about the transformation taking place in the Lower Hunter.
Newcastle West is a perfect case study for the fundamental change of character taking place in Newcastle. Current independent valuations of the infrastructure investment taking place in Newcastle estimate $16 billion and growing, and the benefits that flow through are seeing not only the rebirth of an industrial powerhouse but a new urban environment that reflects this new wealth. A measurement of how profound this change is becoming was ‘Lonely Planet’s’ nomination of Newcastle as the “7th hottest city” on the planet to visit in 2011. And this came before most of the benefits of urban renewal have taken effect.
Newcastle West is an exclusive enclave that reflects the character of the harbour it fronts. The bleak industrial landscape that dominated Newcastle for generations is being blended with contemporary construction and the city’s natural features to create a modern world port city. The growing Newcastle economy, boasting strong employment and housing demand has seen city real estate saturated and appetite for city fringe living rising to unprecedented peaks.
The Honeysuckle precinct, which sits on the foreshore between Wickham and the CBD has undergone an extensive urban renewal programme. With an estimated investment of around $2 billion, Honeysuckle has become Newcastle’s equivalent of Sydney’s Darling Harbour with restaurants, cafes and bars complementing attractive waterfront apartments.
Like the city of Newcastle itself, the suburbs of Wickham and Newcastle West are seeing massive transformation. Once pockets of small industry servicing port operations, their proximity to the CBD and waterfront have vested them with a renewed lifestyle appeal. Accessible pricing and strong rental demand makes this city fringe location particularly appealing for property investors in the robust Newcastle market.
