Windsor, from my Melbourne buyers agent perspective, is still a bit underrated, perhaps because it is a small suburb by area and is in the shadows of its more glamorous high profile neighbours South Yarra and Prahran. Often I find people reference sites in Windsor as being in Prahran.
Circa 5km south east of the CBD, it boasts great amenities both within and around the suburb.
The Windsor (as opposed to South Yarra) end of Chapel Street is arguably one of the hippest stretches in Melbourne and the vibe feels almost “inner north” to me – think Fitzroy, Collingwood i.e. local independent rather than chain outlets. You will find plenty small cafes, restaurants, galleries, fashion, homewares stores etc.
Driving within the Windsor isn’t great, with Chapel Street nearly always busy as it is the main road feeding into and out of the suburb (e.g. onto Dandenong Road). However, the CBD is only circa 12 minutes by train from Windsor station to Flinders Street station.
A great suburb for foodies with Prahran market and numerous cafes and restaurants in Chapel and surrounding streets.
Perhaps the most “film fan friendly” suburb in Melbourne with the 15-screen Jam Factory complex on Chapel Street, South Yarra, a Palace six-theatre complex in the Como Centre and the historic Astor theatre just across Dandenong Roadd in St Kilda East. The Botanical Gardens in South Yarra hosts the Moonlight Cinema during summer.
The beach in St Kilda is only circa 3 km away (and Fitzroy Street, St Kilda’s bars, cafes, restaurants even closer), and the Melbourne Botanical gardens in South Yarra, Fawkner Park in South Yarra, Albert Park Lake are nearby too.
Other parks include Chris Gahan Reserve, Gladstone Gardens and Alma Park which borders St Kilda East.
The Windsor housing stock still retains a historic charm with a significant number of single and double-fronted Victorian and Edwardian terraces and former pubs and warehouses – particularly in the streets running off Chapel Street – that have been converted to residential.
Like nearly everywhere in inner city Melbourne, infill townhouses and apartments continue to appear. Note there is also a Housing Commission Tower within the suburb.
As well as being desirable for single and couples, the 2019 opening of Prahran High School – Melbourne’s first vertical high school – has made Windsor even more family-friendly.
Last update: 28 Feb 2023
