Designed For Life: Customizing Their Home at The Hill

Dr. Steve Fischer, retired otolaryngologist, and Merle Fischer, retired realtor, were living in Rose Valley, Pennsylvania, when they received the call that their time on the waiting list for an apartment in one of the Hawk Ridge buildings at The Hill at Whitemarsh was coming to a close. They learned that construction of their soon-to-be home was almost complete; the couple was excited to make a move and embark on this new adventure together at The Hill.

“Originally, we had hoped for a second floor unit in the last building, but the first floor unit in the first building has turned out to be an even better choice for us,” said Merle. “It has a lovely patio, which we screened in, so it feels very private and peaceful.”

While the Fischers are happily moved in now, when they came off the waitlist, the apartment was still under construction. Having spent 40 years as a realtor, Merle wasn’t fazed; in fact, she was up for the challenge.

“My time in real estate meant I could read blueprints, and I had ideas about what I wanted the finished space to look like. We did more than just choose the materials and hardware that we wanted in the apartment. We really customized it to how we wanted to live in it.” – Merle Fischer

The Fischers wanted to reproduce the primary bathroom from their Rose Valley home—and they did. They also customized the height of their kitchen island, keeping one section counter height and lowering another to table height. They ultimately created a two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom apartment, plus a private office/den space, outfitted with custom closets and built-ins.

“We were the first ones to move into the building once construction was completed,” said Merle. “We’ve been here for about a year now and could not be happier.”

A big part of their happiness is due to the fact that although they moved from a big three-story house, they felt all the comforts of home in their new apartment at The Hill.

“We were able to accommodate the artwork we had in our old home, and a lot of our furniture was able to come with us. Everything fits perfectly in the new place,” Merle said. “Our old house was very traditional, with antique rugs, heavy wood floors and Queen Anne furniture. Our new home has a more eclectic design, making it feel contemporary.”

It helps that the new apartment has a living space with a wall of windows, giving way to gorgeous views of the lush surroundings and plenty of natural sunlight.

“We knew about The Hill for years, and when we visited, we were so taken by the beauty here. It looked so much like the neighborhood we lived in for so many years, and we automatically felt comfortable here,” Merle said. “Plus, it’s a great location, and there are so many activities and trips to take advantage of—you can never get bored. We have no regrets about moving here when we did.”