Southern Sydney is awash with duplexes, though demand still outstrips supply, prompting one owner to develop his own block.
As a 16 year old walking through Sydney's Sutherland Shire with a surfboard under his arm, Craig Hayes said to his mate, "I love this street. Hopefully, one day I'll live in it."
Decades later, he does. Now 67, he's spent 42 years on Northcote Avenue in Caringbah South, a quiet, leafy street that meanders down to waterside Burraneer Park and the local boat ramp.
The family home was knocked down and two near-identical homes were built. Picture: realestate.com.au
With the kids long gone, he and his wife Lyn wanted a smaller house and block to look after, but couldn’t bear to leave the street.
Instead, they’ve redeveloped their block — knocked down the old family home and built two almost-identical new houses.
For them, the numbers stacked up: with Mr Hayes and his son both builders, the couple could construct at cost, then sell one home to clear the loan and boost retirement savings, and live in the other.
They could also design their new house to suit their life now.
"Everything’s new, it’ll last us years, and the lift makes getting upstairs easy at our age," Mr Hayes said.
12B Northcote Avenue offers low-maintenance living while still offering plenty of space for extended family. Picture: realestate.com.au
He knows of other people in the area developing their own blocks.
"People are either building duplexes or two detached homes, like ours. They’d rather avoid the strata fees that come with apartments. Staying on their own block gives them control — and that really appeals."
With the two new homes now completed, 12b Northcote Avenue, Caringbah South is on the market in the early $3ms.
Features like an internal lift appeal to downsizers. Picture: realestate.com.au
Bright and white, the detached four‑bedroom, three‑bathroom home spans 214 sqm with high ceilings, a sun‑filled atrium and oak, travertine and stone finishes.
Multiple living areas connect to a sleek kitchen with butler’s pantry and a covered alfresco terrace overlooking the pool, which comes with a gas Weber BBQ, wok cooker and Husky bar fridge.
European oak, Travertine & limestone tiles and handcut Italian feature tiles are among quality finishes. Picture: realestate.com.au
Designed for ageing buyers, there's lift access and a bedroom with a full bathroom on the ground floor, plus video intercom and security entry.
Agent Breanna Teuma at Alex Pitsis Group Cronulla said the property is attracting strong interest mid-way through its auction campaign.
"It's beautiful and airy — and because it's freestanding, it feels very separate to next door."
To buy or develop a duplex?
Duplex redevelopments have surged in popularity across Sydney, especially in southern suburbs like the Sutherland Shire, where original 400–700 sqm blocks and favourable zoning make dual occupancies easy.
David Smith at Highland Sutherland Shire and St George said many locals with large blocks now sell to developers who can pay a premium.
Duplex developments like 3b Harris Street, Burraneer are becoming popular in the Sutherland Shire. Picture: realestate.com.au
And buyers can't get enough of duplexes or smaller detached homes post subdivisions.
"Demand among downsizers is huge," he said. "People don’t want to leave the Shire — they just want a simpler home with less maintenance, maybe still a backyard and pool. A duplex is perfect — it’s a scaled‑down version of the family house."
Ms Teuma added that plenty of buyers purchase blocks specifically to subdivide and rebuild.
"Some build straight away, sell one and live in the other. I've seen friends buy together so they can live side by side."
Freestanding double developments are much more rare than duplexes. Picture: realestate.com.au
But she said long‑term owners rarely develop their own land like the Hayes.
"Most people simply don't have the funds. They need to sell first to finance a build."
Developing dual occupancies can entail upfront costs for materials, permits and subdivision while council approvals can take time.
46a Woolooware Road, Woolooware heads to auction in March. Picture: realestate.com.au
Mr Smith agreed that self‑development rarely stacks up financially unless you’re a builder.
"They’re better off selling the original property and buying a finished duplex that's ready to go without all the cost, time and stress," he said.
"Most prefer to move into an already-built duplex rather than building their own."
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