Colliers drives 78% of Darling Street activity as offshore capital returns to Sydney’s high street retail
Darling Street, Rozelle has re-emerged as a focal point for high street retail investment, recording the busiest year in more than five years as offshore capital returns to income producing, well located retail and mixed use assets. Year‑to‑date Darling Street has recorded $62.65 million of sales in 2025, up sharply from $2.075 million in 2024 and ahead of $37.92 million in 2023, with Colliers responsible for $49.05 million or 78% of 2025 activity.
The resurgence is being driven by a combination of tight supply of well‑positioned retail corners, consistently strong local footfall and an improving local development pipeline that enhances long‑term precinct upside. Rozelle’s village‑scale retail amenity, heritage streetscape and proximity to Sydney’s inner suburbs continue to underpin reliable day‑to‑day spending, making Darling Street particularly attractive to income‑focused investors seeking resilient, neighbourhood‑anchored assets.
James Cowan, National Director | Head of Investment Services NSW, said “Darling Street is experiencing the highest level of transactional activity in more than five years as capital focuses on highquality, welllocated retail and mixeduse stock in Rozelle. Offshore buyers are returning to inner‑ring retail that offers demonstrable income, strong location fundamentals and well‑tenanted corner assets with quality fit‑outs remain highly competitive.”
Colliers this year secured a series of notable outcomes along the strip, including the record $28.5 million sale of 189 Darling Street (to an eastern suburbs based developer) and the $9.5 million sale of 366 Darling Street (to Millinium Capital Managers Limited) . More recent transactions include the sale of the ground‑floor retail at 733 Darling Street for $6.1 million to an Asian buyer and the mixed‑use shop‑top at 619 Darling Street for $1.7 million to an offshore purchaser. These sales illustrate a strong buyer preference for defensible, well‑tenanted corners with high‑quality fit‑outs that deliver immediate cash flow and attractive upside as the precinct evolves.
“Darling Street has emerged as the hotspot of Sydney’s Inner West investment market this year. Targeted engagement with international investor networks converted strong enquiry into unconditional exchanges. These outcomes show high street retail is back on investors’ radars and Darling Street is leading that trend in the Inner West,” added Joseph Lin, National Director, Asia Markets | Investment Services.
“We’ve also seen a noticeable uplift in enquiry from local buyers actively seeking well positioned assets along Darling Street. High-net-worth individuals are expanding their property portfolios, while increased interest from mum-and-dad investors is opening the door to the enquiries Rozelle and Balmain commercial market,” added Jack McGregor, Executive, Sydney CBD & Metro Sales | Investmentstrong-performing Services.
Related Articles
