ResidentialHudson FarrThu 02 Jul 26
Work Under Way on Hamton’s Scotch Hill Gardens Masterplan
Hamton Property Group has broken ground on its Scotch Hill Gardens project in Melbourne’s inner-east.
The 1.65ha Hawthorn development will preserve 77 mature trees and dedicate 40 per cent of the site to landscaped gardens and tree canopy under its nature-first focus.
The project is rising on the former University of Melbourne campus at 146 Robinson Road, adjoining Patterson Reserve and stretching to the corner of Auburn Road and Bills Street, about 10km from Melbourne’s CBD.
The development will comprise six residential buildings integrated into a landscape-led masterplan. The first release will deliver 76 apartments across two buildings.
Hamton said about 6500sq m of the site would remain as green space, reflecting a focus on nature-led residential design in higher-density housing.
Founder and executive chairman Paul Hameister said opportunities to develop a site of this scale while retaining mature trees were increasingly unusual.
“It’s very rare to secure a 1.6ha site in a blue-chip suburb with this many established trees where you can get an approval for enough density that allows you to then create 40 per cent of the site as garden space,” Hameister said.
“I don’t think it will ever be repeated, to be honest—this close to the city in a blue-chip suburb—and we’re committed to making this a global exemplar of nature-based design excellence.”
Hamton paid a reported $50 million for the site in March of 2022. The site was rezoned as a residential growth area the next year.
Research by the Nature Based Cities initiative has found developments with higher levels of green space can achieve price premiums and faster sales compared with more conventional residential projects.
Nature Based Cities is an industry-research initiative led by urban design and property academics and practitioners, including Professor Richard Weller and collaborators across planning, development and design sectors.
Hamton Property Group is an industry participant in the initiative.
Scotch Hill Gardens is designed around a resort-style wellness offering, featuring a Bath House with vitality pool, sauna, steam and salt rooms, alongside a movement studio, gym, co-working and dining spaces, and resident amenities such as a dog wash and bike workshop.
Architecture and interior design for Scotch Hill Gardens have been led by Woods Bagot, with landscape architecture by Tract.
Woods Bagot principal Peter Miglis said the design drew on Hawthorn’s established residential character while creating a contemporary development.
“Referencing the authenticity, grandeur and heritage character of the Hawthorn home, the architecture needed to feel familiar, yet elevated, fostering a natural sense of belonging within the neighbourhood,” Miglis said.
“For instance, the Tate building includes a strong brick masonry element, incorporating archway motifs and apertures characteristic of the Edwardian era.”
Hamton said the project would also include the revitalisation of the Bills Street retail village as part of the broader masterplanned community.
The masterplan is expected to complete in 2028.
