Walk Score of 99 places Richmond Square at the heart of Melbourne’s most connected lifestyle
Joel RobinsonAug 10, 2026LOCATION
Luxury apartment buyers have long prioritised design, space and finishes, but increasingly they’re placing equal importance on something less tangible: how easily they can live without relying on a car
At Richmond Square, Fortis believes that convenience begins beyond the apartment itself, with the mixed-use precinct earning a near-perfect Walk Score of 99
The development has been planned around the idea that some of the most valuable amenities aren’t contained within a building, they’re the restaurants, cafés, parks, transport connections and daily conveniences that can all be reached on foot
Located just behind Swan Street and Church Street, Richmond Square places residents within one of Melbo​u​rne’s most established lifestyle precincts while offering a quieter residential setting removed from the busiest thoroughfares. East Richmond Station is moments away, trams run along both Swan and Church Streets, and the MCG, Melb​​ourne Park, Yarra River trails and the CBD are all within walking distance. At the same time, the precinct itself will introduce a curated mix of dining, retail, hospitality and wellness offerings, creating a destination that extends well beyond its residential buildings.
For Fortis, that combination of location and scale was what made the site unique
“Richmond is one of Melb​o​urne’s most established and distinctive inner-city neighbourhoods, with a rare combination of dining, culture, recreation, public transport and proximity to the CBD,” the developer said
“The opportunity at Wiltshire Street was particularly compelling because the site sits slightly removed from the activity of Swan and Church Streets while remaining only moments from everything that makes the area desirable.”
Rather than developing a standalone apartment building, Fortis consolidated 15 individual properties to create one of the larger development parcels assembled on Mel​b​ourne’s city fringe in recent years. That allowed the team to deliver a genuine mixed-use precinct comprising 107 residences across Wiltshire House and Carmine House, premium office space, hospitality venues, retail, wellness offerings and a future 57-room hotel
“The scale of the site allowed Fortis to think beyond a standalone apartment building,” the developer said
“Richmond Square could be planned as a complete lifestyle precinct, bringing homes, workplaces, dining, retail, hospitality and wellness together around a series of activated public spaces. The aim was to create a destination that feels connected to Richmond rather than separate from it.”
The emphasis on walkability has also resonated with buyers
Interest has been strongest from established owner-occupiers, particularly downsizers from Richmond and Melb​ourne’s inner east who want to remain close to familiar restaurants, workplaces, family and social networks while moving into a more secure, lower-maintenance home. The project is also attracting Mornington Peninsula and interstate buyers seeking a Melb​ourne residence they can lock up and leave between visits
Many are looking for generous living spaces, room to entertain, quality finishes and confidence in the project team, but location remains one of the biggest deciding factors
“For many buyers, Richmond Square provides a way to simplify the practical side of home ownership without reducing the quality of their lifestyle,” the sales team said
“Location is also a major driver of interest. Buyers can remain connected to the CBD, major sporting events, the arts centres, local restaurants, cafes and bars and their family while living in a private and secure residence that is easy to lock up and leave for weekends or longer periods away.”
The residences themselves have been designed with that buyer in mind. Award-winning architecture practice SJB and interior designers Hecker Guthrie have created spacious two and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses that prioritise generous living areas, natural light, bespoke joinery and private terraces. Above, a rooftop sanctuary by Acre includes landscaped lawns, bookable dining rooms, barbecue facilities, wellness spaces and panoramic views across the CBD, the MCG and Port Phillip Bay
Fortis believes Richmond Square reflects a broader evolution in apartment living, where the surrounding neighbourhood becomes just as important as the residence itself
“Richmond Square introduces a different proposition: generously proportioned residences within a genuinely mixed-use, hospitality-led destination,” the developer said
“The project’s location and Walk Score of 99 further support a lifestyle where residents can complete many everyday journeys without relying on a car.”
Fortis has assembled an experienced team that includes SJB, Hecker Guthrie, Acre and builder Hacer Group, reflecting the developer’s commitment to creating projects with enduring design quality and meaningful connections to the communities in which they sit.Â
Richmond Square is an expression of that philosophy, bringing together homes, workplaces, hospitality and wellness within one of Me​lb​ourne’s most walkable neighbourhoods.Â
Construction is now almost complete, providing purchasers with growing confidence ahead of its expected September 2026 completion
Joel Robinson
Joel Robinson is the Editor in Chief at Apartments.com.au, where he leads the editorial team and oversees the country’s most comprehensive news coverage dedicated to the off the plan property market. With more than a decade of experience in residential real estate journalism, Joel brings deep insight into Australia’s evolving development landscape
He holds a degree in Business Management with a major in Journalism from Leeds Beckett University in the UK, and has developed a particular expertise in off the plan apartment space. Joel’s editorial lens spans the full lifecycle of a project, from site acquisition and planning approvals through to new launches, construction completions, and final sell-out, delivering trusted, buyer-focused content that supports informed decision-making across the property journey
