News & Discussion: CBD Retail

[Llessur2002]

Looks like Wheel & Barrow in Rundle Mall Plaza is officially closing as of mid March.

You'd have to hope that the RMP management have some sort of long term plan for their retail space.

Makes me wonder whether they're deliberately clearing the place out for a renovation.

Emphasis is mine

Do you know something I don't? One wink for yes, two winks for no.

[Llessur2002]

Something is definitely afoot at RMP - French Connection is off too...

[monotonehell]

David Jones are probably moving back in.

[Llessur2002]

Or hopefully a giant Miniso.

[crawf]

Being refitted for H&M and Topman?

[Llessur2002]

Being refitted for H&M and Topman?

I'd love to think so - it's certainly a big enough space when the upper two retail levels are taken into account.

One of my colleagues did ask the building manager directly about this but he wasn't giving anything away - although apparently he didn't specifically rule out a major tenant. Make of that what you will...

[[Shuz]]

I pray it's Topman.

[Llessur2002]

The other option would be a fairly simple refurbishment of the ground floor layout to merge some of the smaller units into fewer larger ones and to make better use of the frontage onto Gawler Place in light of the proposed redevelopment (plus general jazzing up, upgrade of facilities etc). I still wouldn't be surprised to see the upper retail units being repurposed as office space - although that seems fairly plentiful in the CBD at the moment, where larger retail space is pretty rare.

I'll keep my ear to the ground and report back on any rumours which might spread around the rapidly emptying building...

[ChillyPhilly]

That corner, above ground, has a lot of potential. An old render for the Rundle Mall upgrade years ago showed two balcony bars on opposite corners.

[SouthAussie94]

Looks like Wheel & Barrow in Rundle Mall Plaza is officially closing as of mid March.

You'd have to hope that the RMP management have some sort of long term plan for their retail space.

Makes me wonder whether they're deliberately clearing the place out for a renovation.

Emphasis is mine

Do you know something I don't? One wink for yes, two winks for no.

Well it depends on how much you know... I'll play it safe:

[Llessur2002]

Right, I've had my Jessica Fletcher hat on today and have done some good old fashioned digging around in RMP. Here is what I know.

-Wheel and Barrow is empty.
-Unit opposite Wheel & Barrow is also empty.
-Athlete's foot have confirmed they are moving out.
-French Connection are leaving.
-Raymond Poulton is empty.
-The gallery unit is empty.
-The newsagency has confirmed they are staying.
-One ground floor tenant confirmed that whilst they weren't able to give details, a 'big renovation' was planned for the plaza which will be announced soon.
-Another ground floor tenant on the Gawler Place side of the building confirmed that something was being planned for 'this side of the building'.
-Based on the above, I'll assume that OPSM are moving out too.

That leaves us with this so far:

(Green = confirmed stay, Orange = leaving)

Here's my guess:
The building owners are capitalising on the Gawler Place upgrade and providing direct access to Level 1 from a new entrance on Gawler Place. Levels 1 and 2 (approx 6200m2 in total) will be combined in the hope of securing a large tenant such as H&M or TopShop. The existing escalator to Level 1 from the ground floor will be removed. Access to the basement (none of those tenancies have shown any hint of moving) will be retained from Rundle Mall. Possibly an additional escalator or lift access to Level 1 from Stephen's Place. Remaining ground floor units will be rejigged in favour of fewer larger units, all with direct access from Gawler Place, Stephen's Place or Rundle Mall.

Anyone else want to place a wager before it's announced? Prize for whoever's closest.

[crawf]

Nice detective work there Llessur!

[SRW]

I would have thought a major like H&M, Topshop (IMO unlikely) or Uniqlo would insist on Mall frontage. I wonder if maybe the central ground floor and uppers will be consolidated, leaving west/east ground and basement as tenancies accessed from Stephen's and Gawler place.

[Nathan]

When you say Levels 2 & 3 are combined, could it be possible it's not whole floor plates? Businesses have traditionally struggled in the mall if you have to enter on anything other than ground level, but have less issues if the store itself is over multiple levels. Could they potentially get two or even three larger retailers, each with decent ground level entrances which then expand upwards?

Uniqlo & Muji would be my hope, but I think Uniqlo & H&M are more likely.

Failing that, I think the mall is seriously lacking in surplus clearance bookstores. Imagine how many plastic trellis tables you could set up in there!

[Llessur2002]

Oops, just realised I said Levels 2 & 3 combined, but I meant 1 & 2 combined. Funnily enough I was speaking to my other half about this as she also works in RMP and she wondered the same thing about a smaller ground floor presence and then expanding upwards. Time will tell I guess.

Either way, given the popularity of H&M in Melbourne​ with something like 15,000 customers through the door on their first day, I reckon H&M wouldn't have any problem with custom if they were 1st floor providing there was easy access from ground level.