Scotch Hill Gardens is poised to become the City of Boroondara’s first carbon-neutral development. Designed to cater to both growing families and downsizers, the project addresses the pressing need for additional housing supply in the Hawthorn area.

Scotch Hill Gardens is a new lifestyle precinct by Hamton Property Group, transforming an underutilised site on Auburn Road, Hawthorn, in Melbourne’s prestigious eastern suburbs.

The elevated living precinct comprises six buildings on the former University of Melbourne campus within the Scotch Hill catchment area. Adjacent to the green corridor of fields and parklands along Gardiners Creek Trail, the site benefits from a naturally elevated aspect, offering views of mature tree canopies, lush gardens, and the city skyline.

Woods Bagot has overseen the master planning, architecture, and interior design, while Tract is responsible for the landscaping, which will cover 40 per cent of the site. Ranging between four and eight storeys, the residential pavilions are interwoven with 4,000sqm of public gardens, where the landscaping subtly distinguishes public and private spaces.

Drawing inspiration from nature, the masterplan mirrors the organic arrangement of lily pads on a pond—distinct yet interconnected formations that integrate seamlessly into their environment. Aligned with the “nature-based cities” principles, the development balances integrated greenery, amenity, wellness, and community.

According to Woods Bagot Director Peter Miglis, the architectural and material language of the precinct reflects Hawthorn’s established residential character, blending traditional charm with a modern interpretation.

“The architecture needed to take from the DNA of the surrounding residential homes and translate that to a multi-residential scale,” says Miglis.

“Referencing the authenticity, grandeur and heritage of the Hawthorn home, the architecture should feel familiar, yet elevated, fostering a natural sense of belonging within the neighbourhood.”

Hawthorn, one of Melbourne’s oldest and most distinguished suburbs, showcases the city’s evolution through the Victorian, Federation, and Edwardian periods. Each residential pavilion within Scotch Hill Gardens has been designed with a distinct identity, using a carefully curated selection of materials.

Some buildings reinterpret local Victorian and Edwardian details, incorporating rhythmic brickwork and graceful archways, while others pay tribute to the Federation arts-and-crafts homes of the area.

“The Woodburn draws inspiration from the verandahs of the Victorian home ubiquitous in the Hawthorn area,” says Miglis. “The use of vertical columns and fine filigree detailing evokes a classic staple of Victorian Australian design.”

Meanwhile, The Tate building features a bold brick masonry element, with archway motifs and apertures characteristic of the Edwardian era. The Ingleburn, in contrast, exhibits a strong geometric composition influenced by the Federation arts-and-crafts style, with intricate brickwork and a structured design language.

Woods Bagot Interior Design Leader Cara Gabriel explains that a cohesive dialogue has been established between the architecture and interiors, characterised by tactile, textured, and muted tones that complement the natural surroundings.

“We wanted the apartments to have a sense of quiet luxury, to allow the residents to look outside and appreciate the nature they’re surrounded by,” says Gabriel.

“From an interiors perspective, it’s all about these framed views and their relationship to the outdoors that defines this project.”

Each residence is defined by authentic materials, generous proportions, and a return to craftsmanship, engaging Victorian and Tasmanian artisans, including lighting designers, metalworkers, and joiners.

“It was important to use a palette that exuded a sense of timelessness over trends,” says Gabriel.

“Colour and texture are expressed through the characteristics of the material itself, such as oak or walnut grain and veined natural stone, rather than an applied texture—it’s an honest materiality approach.”

Despite its expansive outlook, the precinct has been designed to blend harmoniously with its environment, with careful consideration given to minimising its street-facing bulk. Surrounded by a verdant canopy of mature trees, the development remains discreet from the street, fostering a sense of privacy and exclusivity.

With landscape architecture by Tract, the project will retain 77 existing mature trees and introduce an additional 151 trees, creating a lush urban sanctuary.
Additionally, the team will preserve and restore the Serpentine Garden, a meandering brick pathway and sculpted landscape originally designed by Paul Thompson in 1976.

In collaboration with Thompson, Woods Bagot will revitalise its curvilinear geometry, enhancing the site’s unique character and providing a dynamic journey through the precinct’s heart.

Images: Scotch Hill Gardens / Woods Bagot

Clémence Carayol

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