But beyond the gumtrees and galleries, a new narrative is emerging: Eltham is entering a phase of quiet commercial momentum.

With a population nearing 19,000 and a median house price pushing $1.18 million, Eltham is no longer just a residential haven, it’s a maturing market with growing demand for local business infrastructure. Proximity to the CBD (just 19 km northeast) and access to quality schools, transport, and lifestyle amenity make it an increasingly attractive base not just for families, but for small business operators, consultants, makers, and service providers.

The demographic profile tells the story. The average household is 2.73 people, typically families and the median age is 41, reflecting a balance of working professionals and young families. Eltham’s population is educated, stable, and invested in their local environment. This is the kind of consumer base that supports quality retail, medical, allied health, professional services, and light industrial trades all of which need flexible commercial space close to home.

Yet supply of such space has historically lagged behind demand.

That’s what makes the arrival of Eltham Exchange so timely.

Offering a blend of warehouse, commercial, and retail tenancies within a modern, architecturally designed precinct, Eltham Exchange is filling a structural gap in the local market. The zoning mix (Commercial 1 and Industrial 3) opens the doors to a wide variety of uses, making the project highly adaptable to future needs whether it’s a fitness studio, builder’s depot, food wholesaler, allied health practice or boutique retailer.

And the numbers back it up.

According to CBRE’s Middle Markets Update (June 2025), rental rates for small-format industrial and commercial assets across Melbourne’s north are holding firm, with average sales rates sitting around $2,745/sqm and rental yields as high as 3.7% in high-performing unit stock. Owner-occupiers remain highly active, and leasing appetite in the 1,000–4,000sqm range continues to outpace supply especially in community-anchored areas like Eltham.

This combination of lifestyle-driven growth and structural undersupply presents a rare opportunity for both business owners and investors. Eltham Exchange isn’t just about filling space, it's about enabling local enterprise, strengthening the suburb’s economic fabric, and future-proofing its business ecosystem.

As Eltham shifts from purely residential to a more integrated live–work–shop suburb, precincts like Eltham Exchange will become essential infrastructure. And with site works already underway, that future is closer than it looks.

Introducing The Locker: Smart Storage Built Into the Precinct

At Eltham Exchange, every detail has been designed with real business needs in mind and that includes space beyond the shopfront or warehouse. Introducing The Locker: a purpose-built, on-site storage facility created to support businesses with overflow stock, equipment, seasonal inventory, or simply the need for added flexibility.

Positioned within the precinct and easily accessible, The Locker provides a practical extension to your workspace. Whether you’re a local retailer managing back-of-house stock, a tradie looking for secure gear storage, or a small business running events or pop-ups, The Locker keeps your assets close and your operations streamlined.

Why it matters:
Many businesses operate with space constraints. Leasing additional square meterage can be costly or inefficient especially for inventory that moves on a seasonal or project basis. The Locker offers an alternative: flexible, secure storage that sits right where you work. No long drives to offsite sheds. No third-party facilities. Just smart space, integrated on your terms.

Each unit within The Locker has been designed with:

• Security: Swipe access, monitored zones, and after-hours entry options‍
• Access: Ground-level loading, wide driveways, and practical clearances‍
• Scalability: A mix of unit sizes to suit different operational needs

It’s part of what makes Eltham Exchange more than just a collection of units it’s a business ecosystem. One that recognises how people really work, move, and grow. The Locker is now under construction alongside the rest of the precinct, with early interest already coming from owner-occupiers and service-based tenants seeking a flexible edge. For more information about availability or to discuss your specific requirements, contact the sales team directly.