The Sydney harbourside suburb of Rose Bay can often be bypassed as people drive through on their way to Vaucluse or Bondi, or stop just short of it to shop in Double Bay. But all that is changing as its many attractions garner more interest.

Situated just seven kilometres east of Sydney’s CBD, Rose Bay has proven a delight for those either after a village lifestyle or one focused on water sports. Located next to the harbour means sailing, kayaking and swimming activities are popular – as are the seaplane flights, which take off from the harbour next to the renowned Catalina restaurant.

Price growth is also reflecting this interest, with the latest Domain data showing the median house price for Rose Bay is $3,750,500 while the unit price was $1,261,000. This reflects an increase over five years of 108.4 per cent and 86.8 per cent respectively.

Marianne Mentis has lived in Rose Bay for nearly 10 years and says the facilities and amenities make it a special place.

“Rose Bay has its own ferry wharf and there’s no better way to get into the city than on the ferry, with the express getting you to Circular Quay in about 11 minutes,” she says. “Alternatively, from New South Head Road you can catch the bus all the way to Barangaroo or to the closest train station, which is Edgecliff.”

Mentis has three children, which makes the nearby parks and sporting fields a blessing.

“We have Lyne Park, Rose Bay Park [where you can take dogs], tennis courts, basketball courts, and of course, the Royal Sydney Golf Course for those golfing enthusiasts,” she says. “We also boast two very high-end Sydney restaurants, both located right on Sydney Harbour: Catalina and Regatta.”

Mentis says having local shops is also terrific. “While Westfield Bondi Junction is nearby, I try to do all my gift, food, wine and flower shopping locally. Everyone knows everyone and it feels nice to support the locals.”

According to Mentis, there are two “local” Rose Bay shopping areas: New South Head Road and Plumer Road. “Plumer Road is a real community hub and offers a wide range of food styles,” she says. “Between the two precincts almost everyone’s needs are covered. There are also great coffee shops dotted throughout Rose Bay.”

With children, schools are a priority and Mentis is located equal distance from her oldest and youngest sons’ schools. “So it’s a short walk or one bus stop for each of them on lazy days,” she says. Being located on the harbour, the beauty of the area is a bonus. “Having the Rose Bay Marina with its stunning assortment of boats is a real treat,” Mentis says.

“Often on a Sunday as a family we will scooter along the promenade and head down to the marina for a takeaway coffee and marvel at the beautiful boats. In summer we often hire kayaks from the beach and paddle away in Sydney Harbour.”

Adding additional excitement to the area is a new development on Dover Road: The Aristocrat of Rose Bay. Its standout feature is a fusion of contemporary and art deco design on its facade, which is extended throughout the interior into the 27 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Ilya Melnikoff is managing director of the project’s developer, Luxcon. He says the aim of The Aristocrat of Rose Bay is to provide rejuvenation to this village precinct and deliver more diversity in Rose Bay’s residential scene.

“We want to deliver a building that fits within the exclusiveness and character of Rose Bay but distinguishes itself from other developments with its unique exterior architecture and interior design.”

The amenities on offer in the project are another way Melnikoff hopes to achieve this. “We are putting in many facilities such as a lap pool, gym and sauna so people can make it a complete home and those moving from large homes with such comforts, can make a seamless transition,” he says. “Even in most developments that have a couple of hundred apartments you don’t see the type of facilities we offer and this is a great point of difference.”

Melnikoff believes Rose Bay has largely been in the shadow of the other eastern suburbs. “But I think it is the most convenient and unique of all of them,” he says. “It has less congested road routes than Bondi and sits closer than Vaucluse and Watson’s Bay, from both of which the commute to the city is much longer. It is also mostly flat  so it’s easy walking distance to cafes, supermarkets, the marina and Bondi Beach.”