Jardan Co-Founder Nick Garnham has purchased a residence at Richmond Square in Melbourne, selecting the mixed-use precinct developed by Fortis for its combination of architectural quality, walkability and connection to the city's cultural and creative life.

For Garnham and his wife Renee, the decision was not driven by a need for a larger home or an investment opportunity. Instead, they were seeking a city base that would complement their home on the Mornington Peninsula while making it easier to reconnect with Melbourne's broader design, hospitality and arts scene.

Located between Richmond and Cremorne, Richmond Square has been conceived as a mixed-use development that effortlessly integrates luxurious residences, inspired workspaces and curated retail, dining and wellness offerings. The concept of the five-minute neighbourhood is increasingly drawing appreciation from Australian home buyers for enabling residents to access work, hospitality, recreation, and everyday services within a short walk from home.

For Garnham, whose Jardan showroom is located just over 500m from the development, the location also offers greater convenience after years of commuting between Melbourne and the Peninsula.

"After 10 years living on the coast, we're excited to have our own little place in the city. Richmond Square gives us the perfect balance – somewhere we can reconnect with Melbourne's culture, design, food and energy whenever we want,” the Garnhams say. “For us, the location is perfect. It's close to our showroom, walking distance to the MCG, great restaurants, transport and everything we love about Melbourne.”

The development reflects a broader shift in buyer preferences in the premium apartment market towards walkable neighbourhoods that offer a richer urban lifestyle by prioritising cultural, dining and community experiences.

Richmond's established mix of independent coffee shops, award-winning restaurants, sporting venues, parklands and cultural institutions has helped position the suburb as one of Melbourne's most sought-after inner-city locations. The precinct also provides easy access to the Yarra trail, reinforcing its appeal to owner-occupiers seeking an active urban lifestyle.

It's precisely this lifestyle value proposition that convinced the Garnhams to purchase a residence within Wiltshire House at Richmond Square.

As Co-Founder of one of Australia's best-known furniture and interior design brands, Garnham, who has worked alongside leading architects and interior designers, was also impressed with the calibre of the project's creative team.

Designed by SJB, with landscape architecture by Acre, Wiltshire House forms one of the residential components of Richmond Square.

"We have a lot of respect for the work of SJB so the design was a major drawcard. We loved that the design felt contemporary while still being connected to the character of Richmond," say Garnham.

Wiltshire House comprises a collection of one, two and three-bedroom luxury apartments, together with a penthouse collection, and is located less than three kilometres from Melbourne's CBD.

Beyond the residences themselves, Richmond Square’s broader lifestyle offering includes a recently approved 57-room boutique hotel, which will introduce a range of hotel-style services and amenities, while Wiltshire House will also feature rooftop wellness spaces including a sauna, yoga area, alfresco entertaining facilities and panoramic views across the Melbourne CBD and MCG.

"I’ve finally found the city pad that ticks all the boxes," Garnham says. "It's taken me ten years to find it."

Having collaborated with Fortis in the past, the couple describes their experience as consistently professional and straightforward.

"Working with Fortis has been a fantastic experience. There's a real alignment in values around design, quality and creating places people genuinely want to spend time in, and that's made the process both enjoyable and collaborative.”

The project is currently selling, with residents expected to move in from September 2026.

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