Between the river and the village: Fairview gives Hawthorn locals a reason to stay

For many Hawthorn homeowners, leaving the family home doesn't have to mean leaving the neighbourhood.

That's one of the key selling points behind Fairview, Pitard Group's boutique collection of 24 apartments at 48 Riversdale Road, where buyers can downsize into a lower-maintenance home while remaining close to the parks, shops, cafes and other amenities they've become accustomed to.

The four-level development sits within walking distance of the Yarra River and Fairview Park, while the established shopping and dining precincts of Riversdale Village and Glenferrie Road are also nearby.

According to the sales team, interest has largely come from downsizers and professionals, with many prospective purchasers expected to come from Hawthorn and neighbouring suburbs including Kew, Camberwell and Richmond.

For local downsizers in particular, the opportunity to remain in the area without the ongoing maintenance of a traditional family home has been a key consideration.

Fairview's location puts residents around a five-minute walk from Fairview Park, which offers open green space, off-lead dog areas and access to the Main Yarra Trail. The Yarra River is approximately six minutes away on foot, while everyday conveniences include Ritchies IGA, around 400 metres from the development, and Medical Centre Hawthorn, within 500 metres.

The nearby Riversdale Village and Glenferrie Road shopping precincts provide a broad selection of cafes, restaurants, boutiques and entertainment, including the Lido Cinema.

Public transport is also close by, with routes 70 and 75 stopping on Riversdale Road around a minute's walk from Fairview, providing connections towards the Melbourne CBD and Camberwell Junction. Hawthorn's train stations also connect to the city via the Belgrave and Lilydale lines.

The location also puts several of Melbourne's established private schools within easy reach, including Scotch College, St Kevin's College and MLC Melbourne, with Scotch College less than a kilometre away.

Pitard Group has opted for a boutique, four-level development, with VIA Architects designing the 24 residences around privacy, natural light and generous indoor-outdoor living spaces.

Landscaping by John Patrick Landscape Architects has been incorporated throughout the development, with ground-floor apartments opening onto private courtyards surrounded by low-maintenance garden beds.

For buyers moving from larger family homes, these courtyards offer the opportunity to retain an outdoor entertaining area and garden without the maintenance associated with a traditional house. Apartments on the upper levels feature balconies and terraces, with some offering outlooks towards the city and Yarra River.

Inside, the apartments feature open-plan living areas with floor-to-ceiling glazing, while kitchens have been designed with marble benchtops and splashbacks, Miele appliances and Blum soft-close cabinetry.

Chevron-patterned timber flooring runs through the kitchen and living areas, complemented by a warm, neutral interior palette.

The sales team says buyers viewing the interior samples have responded positively to the finishes and colour selections, particularly those looking for an apartment that offers a similar level of quality and space to their existing home.

Residents will also have access to a communal lounge with its own kitchen, opening onto a landscaped courtyard and barbecue area. The space provides an additional entertaining option for owners hosting family and friends, without needing to accommodate larger gatherings within their own apartment.

The design of the communal areas and individual residences has been intended to balance privacy with opportunities for residents to come together.

Pitard Group is delivering Fairview as both developer and builder, continuing its Melbourne apartment development activity following projects including EVA Elsternwick Village Apartments and Madeline in Moorabbin.

Construction is well underway on the collection of two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses, with prices ranging from $895,000 to $3.65 million.

The first residents are expected to move into Fairview in early 2027.