Century 21 City Dock opens in NewQuay

A new real estate agency has opened its doors in Docklands, with Century 21 City Dock establishing a street-front office on Caravel Lane in NewQuay.

Led by local business owner Poonam Bhansali, the agency is aiming to combine the reach of an international real estate brand with a strong on-the-ground understanding of Docklands and Melbourne’s inner-city property market.

Ms Bhansali said Century 21 City Dock was “locally owned and operated” and built around a simple philosophy: pairing a globally recognised name with genuine local expertise.

The agency brings together more than two decades of experience across real estate, property management, facilities management and customer service.

Through associated businesses, the team has worked with hundreds of residential and commercial properties across Melbourne, particularly in Docklands and the CBD.

“This experience has given us a deep understanding of apartment living, owners’ corporations, investors, landlords and the day-to-day needs of inner-city communities,” Ms Bhansali said.

For Ms Bhansali, Docklands was the natural place to establish the agency.

She said the precinct had been the team’s “business home” for many years, with the agency already having strong relationships with residents, owners’ corporations and local businesses.

“We’ve watched the precinct evolve into one of Melbourne’s most vibrant waterfront communities,” she said.

“We saw an opportunity to create an agency that is genuinely embedded within Docklands rather than simply servicing it from another suburb.”

Before opening the Caravel Lane office, Century 21 City Dock operated from Aqua Vista Tower. Ms Bhansali said even from that location, the business regularly received walk-in enquiries from people seeking out the Century 21 brand.

Moving to a ground-floor office in NewQuay was therefore a natural progression, giving the agency greater visibility and allowing residents to drop in for property advice, appraisals or conversations about the local market.

“We wanted a highly visible office that reflects our commitment to the community,” she said.

“Rather than operating behind closed doors, we want to be approachable, available and actively involved in the precinct.”

Ms Bhansali said the Docklands market was continuing to mature, with renewed confidence from both owner-occupiers and investors.

Rental demand remained strong, supported by professionals, students and people returning to city-based work, while buyers were becoming more selective about building quality, amenities, location and long-term value.

“Overall, Docklands is transitioning from being viewed primarily as an investor market to becoming an increasingly desirable place to live, work and build a long-term lifestyle,” she said.

She said Docklands offered a rare combination of waterfront living, access to the Free Tram Zone, public open space, restaurants, entertainment, Marvel Stadium and proximity to the CBD.

Over recent years, she said more owner-occupiers had chosen Docklands as a long-term home, helping strengthen the local community.

“We believe Docklands is entering an exciting new phase of maturity,” Ms Bhansali said.

Beyond buying, selling and leasing, Century 21 City Dock hopes to support local businesses, participate in community events and become part of the everyday fabric of Docklands.

“Success for us isn’t measured only by transactions,” Ms Bhansali said.

“It’s about becoming a trusted local business that people know, recognise and feel comfortable recommending to family and friends.”

Looking ahead, the agency’s ambition is to become one of Melbourne’s leading inner-city real estate businesses while remaining firmly connected to the communities it serves.

docklands.century21.com.au •