Melbourne has long been described as a city of villages: interconnected yet distinctive and fiercely local. In Hawthorn, that village identity is one of the suburb’s greatest strengths. It’s also just what a quiet stretch of Bills Street is now poised to rediscover.
For Ahmad Hawli, owner of the strip’s Foodstore Cafe, the idea of village life isn’t an abstract concept but rather a day-to-day experience. He’s been running the cafe for around a decade and has watched Bills Street settle into a dependable rhythm.
“It’s a good community spot,” Hawli says. “Great coffee, great food and good vibes. We really try to include everyone.”
Aiming to amplify that sense of inclusion are Hamton Property Group, the developer of 20 years behind Scotch Hill Gardens, which sits directly across the road, and Brady Construction, the family-owned builder appointed for stage one of the project.
“Brady Construction’s expertise, capability and craftsmanship bring confidence and certainty to the Scotch Hill Gardens vision as we move into the construction phase,” Malseed says.
“Hamton has been developing in Melbourne for about 20 years. Great development shouldn’t just be about buildings. It should add value to neighbourhoods, integrate into the urban fabric and enhance the public realm.”
At the centre of that thinking is what Malseed calls the “visitor experience” – the cafes, walkways, shops and gathering spaces that people can engage with, remember and talk about.
“It’s those experiences that create reputation via word of mouth,” he says. “That’s what makes a place great.”
Hamton’s track record reflects that approach. At Fifty Albert in South Melbourne, the retention of a heritage terrace that is now home to the iconic cafe The Kettle Black has become a landmark in its own right. In Abbotsford, Acacia Place introduced a landscaped pedestrian walkway that opened new connections and hospitality opportunities on both sides.
“They’re all things visitors can see and engage with,” Malseed says. “And importantly, they’re not just for residents; they’re for everyone.”
That philosophy is now being applied to Bills Street, where Scotch Hill Gardens will form part of a broader streetscape renewal. While the development itself will roll out in stages, Hamton has already been working to lift the look and feel of the strip.
In an early taste of what’s to come, outdoor furniture, updated signage, fresh paintwork and planters have already transformed the Foodstore Cafe’s street presence.
“We want to refresh and revitalise Bills Street,” Malseed says. “That’s already started, and it will continue.”
In the longer term, approved plans will see the entire streetscape rebuilt with new paving, additional outdoor seating and extensive landscaping. Hamton controls the entire north side of the street and multiple tenancies on the south, allowing it to carefully curate the mix of businesses.
“It’s about getting the right local operators who feed off each other,” Malseed explains. “It becomes a little ecosystem. People move from one place to another, spending time and money locally.”
The vision includes daily conveniences and wellness-focused offerings – think boutique grocers and Pilates or yoga studios – designed to complement Foodstore Cafe and the lifestyle of future Scotch Hill Gardens residents.
Amid the Foodstore Cafe’s morning bustle, Hawli sees nothing but upside. “The more businesses you have, the more people come down,” he says. “It makes it more appealing for everyone.”
In a suburb as tightly held as Hawthorn, where a village atmosphere underpins its enduring appeal, Bills Street’s evolution feels like a return to form.
As Malseed puts it: “If you can lean into that village character, new developments in Melbourne are much more likely to be successful.”
