TV show Offspring drawing more young people to live in the northern suburbs

THE ‘Nina effect’ is bringing more young people to the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne, with Ten’s hit show Offspring thought to be driving the trend.

THE ‘Nina effect’ is bringing more young people to the inner northern suburbs of Melbourne.

The popularity of Ten’s hit show Offspring, set largely in Fitzroy, Collingwood and and North Fitzroy, is thought to be driving the trend.

Property developer Martin Strode said the region’s troubled past was giving the northern suburbs a character that appealed to young professionals.

“They love the struggling guy busking in the street, just as a Maserati pulls up and parks,” Mr Strode said.

“The north is no longer Melbourne’s best kept secret. In recent times shows like Offspring have really captured the essence of this unique part of our city and are driving a demographic shift of people moving into the area. You might pin it down to the ‘Nina effect’ — those seeking a Manhattan-style loft apartment just like Nina’s.”

Secondary schoolteacher Sally Goss, 30, has just bought an apartment off the plans at the new Yorkshire Brewery development in Collingwood largely because she wants to live the Nina Proudman lifestyle. She is moving from Richmond.

“I’m a big fan of the show and always have been — the sense of family, the fact that it showcases the north is really appealing because the places on the show are familiar to me,” Ms Goss said.

The Grub Van as seen in Offspring.

“I live in Richmond at the moment but the sense of community in the northern suburbs is much stronger and the show really captures that. It’s that lifestyle that I’m attracted to.”

She knows all of Nina’s favourite hangouts, from the Hell of the North restaurant to the Collingwood Leisure Centre, although she swims at the Brunswick Baths.

Like Nina, in the warmer months she makes use of the parks in East Melbourne and Fitzroy and frequently goes to one of Nina’s favourite spots, the Tinpot Cafe in Fitzroy North.

“They’re all places I go to with friends for brunch on the weekends and I also like a lot of the clothes she wears to work because I wear similar things,” she said.

Mr Strode said the Yorkshire Brewery was a $220 million development of 356 apartments ranging from $395,000 to $1.4 million. At the last two weekends of opening, 750 people inspected the development, due to be completed next year.

“No one wanted to live in that area 20 or even 10 years ago but now it fetches the same prices as South Yarra,” he said.

Sally Goss is a fan of Offspring and has just bought an apartment in Collingwood to enjoy the Offspring lifestyle.

LIVING THE NINA LIFESTYLE

Where to eat and play the Nina Proudman way:

Tinpot Cafe, 248 St George’s Rd, North Fitzroy. A cosy vibe with retro vintage furniture that will be a setting for Offspring episodes later this serason.

Black Cat Cafe, 252 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. A 30-year-old institution that has always broken new cafe ground was the scene for one of Nina’s fantasies where she imagines she is someone else.

Hell of the North, 135 Greeves St, Fitzroy. A European-style bistro where the focus is on casual dining and particularly good for shared grazing. It was the location for Nina’s ill-fated high school reunion.

Collingwood Leisure Centre, Corner Turnbull and Hoddle streets, Clifton Hill. The 25-metre lap pool is popular for adults but there is also a toddler pool, learn-to-swim pool and spa for relaxing. The first episode of this season when she took baby Zoe for her first swimming lesson.

Fitzroy Gardens, Clarendon St, East Melbourne. Many claim this to be our best public garden, and was featured in Episode 3 of this season when Nina, Zara and Kim were walking together.

Edinburgh Gardens, Alfred Cres, Fitzroy North. Filled with open lawns and location for a touching scene where the ghost of Patrick walks with Nina while she is pushing baby Zoe in the pram.

Grub Food Van, 87 Moor St, Fitzroy. A converted 1965 van that sits in the front yard of a converted industrial site was the scene for Nina’s coffee with her former counsellor Lawrence in episode 1.