Canberra buyer pays $2.36 million for 11 Justice Kelly Street, Forde ACT, setting a new suburb record

The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house at 11 Justice Kelly Street sold for $2.36 million following fierce bidding.

Positioned on a 939-square-metre block, the home boasts five living areas, a butler's pantry, a 94-square-metre master retreat, separate study and an indoor heated pool.

A crowd of about 100 people gathered to watch the auction, where six bidders had registered.

Selling agent Jess Smith of Stone Gungahlin said neighbours and local residents were among the onlookers.

"This has certainly been one of Forde's most iconic houses," she said.

"It's definitely one that is quite captivating and just where it's located right across from [Mulligans Flat] reserve, I would say most residents in Forde have walked past it at one time or another.

"So I think a lot of people were quite keen to see a house that size, on that size block, to see what it was capable of selling for."

While it was the first time the home had been publicly listed for sale, CoreLogic records show the property last changed hands in 2016 for $1.23 million. Ms Smith said new owners were from the Gungahlin area.

The previous record for Forde was set in November when 89 Amy Ackman Street, Forde sold for $2.3 million.

The two-storey house includes soaring 2.7-metre ceilings throughout, double-glazed windows and 28 solar panels on the roof.

An open-plan living and dining area sits at the heart of the ground level, which spans 266 square metres. The kitchen boasts a four-metre stone benchtop, high-end appliances and large butler's pantry. The dining area flows out onto an enclosed alfresco and pool area.

The master suite takes up the entire upper floor, complete with a freestanding bath, a walk-in and two built-in wardrobes, a study and balcony with views to Parliament House.

Ms Smith said the expansive floorplan attracted buyers, as did the indoor pool, which can comfortably be used year-round.

"Every component of the house was larger than normal and I think in this day, when we're spending so much more time at home, to have segregated living areas of such good size has, without a doubt, been the best selling point," she said.

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The median house price for Forde was $1,125,000 in December 2021, up from $790,000 the year prior.

"I think [Forde] has always been what I would refer to as probably the pinnacle suburb [of Gungahlin] that people would really love to get into and I don't think that's going to change anytime soon," Ms Smith said.

"The result on the weekend just confirms that for me."

The Forde property was one of 149 Canberra auctions scheduled for the week to April 3. CoreLogic's preliminary results show Canberra's clearance rate was 72.4 per cent.

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