Kensington continues to see steady residential growth, with several apartment developments reshaping parts of the suburb as the year draws to a close. Among the most advanced is The Kensington, a major project on Anzac Parade that is set to add 142 new homes to the area when it is completed in early 2026.
The eight-storey building recently passed a key construction milestone, marking visible progress after months of groundwork and early building stages. While not the only project underway in Kensington, it has become a clear marker of the suburb’s ongoing transition.
A Suburb in Transition
Apartment development has been a growing feature of Kensington in recent years, particularly along major corridors such as Anzac Parade. Proximity to public transport, education precincts and employment hubs has made the suburb a focus for medium-density housing.
Planning approvals across Kensington have aimed to balance increased housing supply with existing neighbourhood character, a conversation that has continued as more projects move from approval into construction.
The Kensington Project
The Kensington development illustrates the scale of change taking place. Once complete, the project will deliver 142 apartments in a single building, making it one of the larger recent additions to the local housing stock.
Construction reached an important stage earlier in the spring, allowing work to progress beyond early structural phases. As of mid-December, activity on site remains ongoing as the project moves toward internal works and finishing stages. Move-in is projected in mid-2026.
What This Means for Locals
The increase in apartment living is expected to bring more residents into Kensington, with flow-on effects for local shops, transport services and public spaces. For long-term residents, the changes are part of a broader pattern of infill development across Sydney’s inner suburbs.
At the same time, council and planners have acknowledged the importance of managing construction impacts and infrastructure demand as population density increases.
With projects like The Kensington progressing toward completion in early 2026, further changes to the suburb’s streetscape are expected over the coming year. While individual developments come and go, together they reflect a continuing shift in how Kensington grows and adapts to housing demand.
A $250 million mixed-use development in Kensington has reached its structural milestone, marking progress toward the completion of 142 new apartments and retail spaces along Anzac Parade.
Construction of The Kensington, developed by TOGA, has reached its topping-out stage, signifying the completion of the building’s main structure. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2026 and will feature a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, along with dual-level SOHO residences that integrate workspace and home living.
The eight-storey development includes ground-floor retail and hospitality tenancies designed to activate Anzac Parade and contribute to the suburb’s growing high-density character.
Photo Credit: The Kensington
Expanding Housing Options in Kensington
Kensington continues to evolve into a higher-density, transit-oriented precinct following major infrastructure and commercial upgrades along the light rail corridor. The suburb has attracted over $1 billion in public and private investment, strengthening its role in addressing Sydney’s increasing housing demand.
Under the NSW Housing Accord, Randwick Council has set a target of 4000 additional dwellings by 2029. Kensington, currently home to about 59,000 residences, contributes to this growth as new developments increase local housing availability.
Photo Credit: The Kensington
Design and Amenities
The Kensington will offer a range of shared amenities including co-working spaces, social lounges, a games room, library, and a rooftop terrace with city views. Residents will also have access to landscaped communal areas designed to encourage connection and flexibility in modern urban living.
The building’s design was led by Turner Architects, with interiors by Richards Stanisich. Both firms focused on functionality, open layouts, and a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Market Conditions and Demand
Colliers has identified Kensington as one of Sydney’s most supply-constrained apartment markets, with vacancy rates sitting below 2 per cent. Market data varies across sources, with one report noting a 15.4 per cent decline in rents since late 2024, while another recorded a 20 per cent rise over the past year, reflecting differing market snapshots.
Despite this, interest remains high among investors, downsizers, and young professionals drawn to the suburb’s proximity to UNSW, the Randwick Health Precinct, and nearby beaches.
Photo Credit: The Kensington
From Hotel Site to Residential Precinct
The site previously operated as the Addison Hotel before being repurposed as a temporary homeless shelter and later as an OzHarvest supermarket. Its redevelopment into The Kensington marks the site’s transformation into a long-term residential and commercial precinct aligned with the suburb’s broader renewal.
Construction is approaching completion, with apartments expected to be ready for occupancy by early 2026. Once finished, The Kensington will add to the suburb’s growing housing stock and strengthen Kensington’s position as a key growth hub within Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
It has been likened to the weathered home from the film Up, standing firm while taller neighbours rose around it. But after nearly 50 years, one of Kensington’s last old-style boarding houses looks set to give way to redevelopment.
The property at 173–175 Anzac Parade has been held by the Prodromou family since 1975, when patriarch Erotocritos Yianni Prodromou purchased the 607-square-metre site for just $52,000. Now, the two adjoining terraces that operate as an 18-room boarding house are on the market with a price guide of $13.5 million.
Photo credit: realestate.com.au
Agent William Tsagaris from Bradfield BadgerFox launched the expressions of interest campaign last week and said the response had been immediate. He noted that interested buyers were considering a range of options, including purpose-built student accommodation or even a boutique hotel, given the limited supply in the precinct.
The sale comes as no surprise in a suburb that has seen a wave of redevelopment, especially with its proximity to the University of NSW. In recent years, neighbouring sites have sold for $13.8 million and $15.25 million before being replaced with seven- and nine-storey residential towers. The new buildings are filled with compact student studios, some renting for as much as $715 per week, making them highly profitable investments.
Photo credit: Google Street View
Despite its age, the boarding house has remained a solid earner for the Prodromou family through both short-term and long-term leases. But with so few remaining undeveloped parcels in Kensington, the property’s future as student housing or high-rise apartments seems inevitable.
For many, its sale represents the end of an era — one of the last reminders of the suburb’s earlier streetscape, soon to be overtaken by the changing skyline.
Anson Group has been approved for a significant residential development project in Kensington, marking a milestone in the company’s expansion efforts. The green light comes after a rigorous 16-month development application process for the proposed 197-apartment residential shoptop.
The project site, located at 77 to 103 Anzac Parade and 59A to 71 Boronia Street in Kensington, underwent scrutiny before receiving the go-ahead.
Anson Group lodged DA/395/2022 in August 2022 and received approval in March 2024.
According to the NSW Department of Planning, the average assessment timeframes for multi-unit residential developments in 2022-23 was 182 days, indicating a thorough approval process.
Anson Group, a real estate company with over 15 years of experience in Sydney, has strategically combined 14 lots to create a massive 6296-square-meter site in the City of Randwick. With a projected budget of $104 million, the development project aims to rejuvenate the area by constructing four buildings of varying heights, ranging from four to nine stories.
Photo Credit: DA/395/2022
According to BCI Central, their new development will include a variety of apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms. Buildings C and D will have nine storeys each and will be located along Anzac Parade, while the Boronia Street buildings will be four storeys high.
Photo Credit: DA/395/2022
The buildings will be interconnected and have an upper-level infill built form. Additionally, there will be 245 parking spaces available across a two-level basement.
Photo Credit: DA/395/2022
The architectural blueprint, designed by BVN, includes provisions for a thoroughfare link that runs east to west. This will improve accessibility and connectivity within the neighbourhood. Additionally, in a nod to community welfare, Anson Group has designated six units within the development as affordable housing, reflecting their commitment to inclusive urban development.
Photo Credit: DA/395/2022
The site where the project is planned currently contains two-story commercial and retail spaces, as well as empty and outdated buildings. Anson Group aims to transform the area, which is expected to boost the economy, create job opportunities, and address the retail demands of the community. The upcoming development is projected to include a much-needed supermarket.
The development is taking place in Kensington Town Centre, and it is currently undergoing planning reviews to determine the best building heights and densities. The goal is to improve the infrastructure and promote commercial expansion.
Anson Group’s winning bid for the Kensington project highlights their strategic vision and dedication to enhancing Sydney’s urban landscape while meeting the changing needs of its residents.
Kensington could soon have a 601-room student housing block stretching from 177 to 197 Anzac Parade if the development application for Uni Lodge receives approval from Randwick City Council.
The project from Cedar Pacific and NettletonTribe (DA/20/2021) proposes the construction of a 10-storey dormitory, which will occupy 24 privately-owned lots to make 4,000 square metres of space for university housing.
Cedar Pacific was able to raise $90 million to fund this student block.
Once Council signs on, the demolition of existing buildings in the area will be underway. This means that a Chinese restaurant and appliance store will have to find new locations whilst residents of a three-storey apartment and a duplex complex will also need to move out.
“The site currently contains five existing buildings of older stock with many buildings in need of replacement,” the proposal cited. “The proposal advances the social objectives of providing affordable and convenient housing options for students in close proximity to educational establishments. This increase in student housing supply will also assist in the availability (and affordability) of housing stock in the broader area, thereby providing a broader social and economic benefit.”
Uni Lodge will stand next to the heritage-listed Masonic Temple and near the Kensington Town Centre, the University of New South Wales and the South-East Light Rail.
A 7,600 square metre property located at 153 to 157 Anzac Parade in Kensington has been listed for development. The prominent corner position has been deemed as an ideal location for student housing since it is close to the University of New South Wales (UNSW).
The Anzac Parade property is also close to the Prince of Wales Hospital Complex and the Kensington Town Centre. It is conveniently near the South East Light rail link which links commuters from Kensington to Kingsford, Randwick and the CBD.
Interested developers have many options for this property given that it has been approved for mixed-use in 2014. In its initial development application, Randwick Council gave its consent for the development as a 7-storey building with 31 apartments and four retail spaces in the mezzanine on this Anzac Parade site.
However, the approved development application may still be amended.
“Local planning rules allow various alternative development possibilities – including student accommodation – to a height of 25 metres, or seven levels. The proposed rules would permit a height of 31 metres, or nine levels,” Ben Hunter of JLL said.
The supply of student housing in Kensington is rising in demand as the student population also grows in the precinct. Kensington needs at least 2820 student accommodation beds to be ready for the future.
Interested developers may contact JLL Sydney about the property for sale.
When you’re craving for Chinese food in Kensington, the place to go is Anzac Parade. This major road in the southeastern Sydney suburbs is home to plenty of restaurants and there are four distinctive Chinese food establishments particularly catering to Kensington residents.
1. Traditional Chinese Food: Hoh Won Chinese Restaurant
134 Anzac Parade Opens daily, except Tuesdays, from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.; 5:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The family-owned Hoh Won Chinese Restaurant has been in Kensington for decades that many locals have memories of dining in this place since they were kids. Even without an actual social media presence or a website, Hoh Won Chinese Restaurant is always packed so be sure to reserve seats before you go.
When there’s no time to cook and you want to have a full meal, this place will satisfy. Their menu and the food’s quality haven’t changed much since the new generation took over. Diners seem to love their shredded pork, deep fried fish with corn sauce, hot and sour soup, Shantung chicken, and special fried rice.
“Just a great traditional Chinese restaurant. It’s almost always busy but with good reason, the food is always flavoursome, occasionally I had dishes with a little much pepper, but I’ve been coming here for years and that only happened once or twice. I do prefer the more traditional tasting of the menu compared to every other restaurantsmodernisation to every dish. It’s no Mr Wong’s but it’s not trying to be, the prices are fair and the food is traditional and good, and let me just say THE DECOR, the decor is sensational. I love the trapped in the 60’s look, the wallpaper and chandelier, so charismatic..”
2. Hunan-Inspired Chinese Cooking: Chairman Mao Chinese Restaurant
189 Anzac Parade
Opens daily 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; closes at 11:00 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays
Dishes from the Hunan region in China are known for its hot and spicy flavours, strong aroma, and vibrant colours. Chairman Mao offers a variety of these Hunan food choices in generous portions, which greatly pair with a pint of beer.
Some of the recommended meals include the five-spice tofu, red-braised pork, and the pickled radish and chili. The restaurant is also well-known for its colourful and decorative interiors.
“AMAZING YOU HAVE TO COME HERE. This is the only place I’ve found in Sydney that actually tastes like food from Hunan. I’ve lived my life in Sydney but have traveled extensively through China. This is the real deal. If you want amazing, tasty, authentic Chinese food, come here. My boyfriend and I LOVED everything – we got the pork belly and a spicy prawn dish (I’ve since forgotten the name of the actual dish)… SO GOOD.”
6/240 Anzac Parade
Opens daily from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., except Monday
The food at Turpan Restaurant may remind you of Middle Eastern cuisines. However, Chinese food from the northwestern regions is mostly halal, particularly from the Xinjiang Uyghur province where the restaurant’s chef and owner grew up.
So, if you’re looking for the best-tasting lambs, mutton, or beef dishes with heaps of tomatoes, onions, olives, and celery, then try the Turpan Restaurant. They also serve crepes, skewers and other dishes with a hint of Pakistani, Mongolian and Russian influences.
“Great northern China dishes. Skewers are must try. Plenty of nice spiced dishes if you like spicy food. It is not the typical Cantonese or Shanghainess restaurants we often see. It is something different and tasty as well. Highly recommended.”
428 Anzac Parade
Opens daily from 11:00 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.
The New Dong Dong Noodles is technically in Kingsford, but it is a block away (at least 0.8 miles) from the Kensington Park.
This restaurant serves Cantonese dishes from an open kitchen. Diners can watch as the chef cooks their orders of hot pot, stir-fried noodles, congee, and noodle soups. The New Dong Dong Noodles also offer Laksa dishes after 9:45 p.m.
“My family has been going here for years and we’ve never had a bad meal. Because it is so busy the food is fresh and super authentic. You always see heaps of Chinese people in here so they must be authentic. Nothing flash but great value and super tasty.”
There is no shortage of Chinese food establishments in Sydney and the surrounding suburbs. However, these four choices from Kensington will show that while Chinese food is common, there are still plenty of variety and distinctions to choose from.
Did you know that Australia’s first rescue food outlet has a flagship store in Kensington? Known as the Oz Harvest Market, this shop located at Anzac Parade takes food that would otherwise be thrown away by food outlets, hotels, supermarkets, and catering companies
Oz Harvest Market sells rescued food to the community or redistributes the edibles to the needy. There are volunteers who ensure that the food items collected are of quality and still fit for eating.
The Kensington store, which opened last April 2017, is located at the ground floor of the building owned by TOGA. The site of the former Addison Hotel, this was turned into a shelter for the homeless and TOGA has donated part of the ground floor for Oz Harvest Market’s operations.
The rescue food outlet is open to anyone looking to buy food supplies at a massive discount or to eat good food without having to pay so much money.
“If times are tough and you’re in need of food or other goods, you can take what you need,” Oz Harvest Market CEO and Founder Ronni Kahn said. “If you can give something, then please do, it could even be your time or skills.”
The goods sold at Oz Harvest Market have no price tag. Customers are open to giving what they can, knowing that the money will also go to charity.
Oz Harvest Market also sets up pop-ups and food trucks at other locations around Australia as a way to promote their services. This is where the money of consumers patronising the store goes.
In New South Wales, Oz Harvest Market stores and food trucks are also found in Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Port Macquarie, Sapphire Coast, Southern Highlands, Sydney, and Wagga Wagga.
Oz Harvest Market also mounts educational programs for primary school kids to teach them about food sustainability. In New South Wales, the first phase of the program, dubbed Feast, will roll out in schools this 2019.
The aim of Feast is to teach kids how to cook nutritious food, eat healthily, prevent food waste and protect the environment.
