News & Discussion: CBD Retail

[Patrick_27]

This is probably the only time you'll ever hear me say this about character building (well, character by Rundle Mall standards) but I'd almost be in favour of the owners demolishing this building and the neighbouring carpark and starting again. Perhaps allocate more land to the Gawler Chambers project in the process. I feel like any attempt to reconfigure this building is simply going turn out like a dogs breakfast. Furthermore, if a new building were to replace what's there (and it were built right, it might further encourage some higher end retailers (as Rundle Place did when it was built).

[Llessur2002]

I dunno - I reckon an opportunity exists to re purpose what's already here. Levels 3-6 are all newly refurbished office space and 75% tenanted. I think there's good scope to completely renovate the ground, mezzanine, first and second floors with the only external changes to the building being to the ground floor shop fronts and the mezzanine level windows (mainly used as storage space I think judging by the piles of shoe boxes that are sometimes visible above Athlete's Foot).

In fact, that's something I haven't really thought about up until now - all of the ground floor retail units are actually two-storeys but, as far as I'm aware, the space isn't really used. The lifts go to the M level but I'm not sure what's there other than the building manager's office. That could be a plan - turning the existing ground floor units into two-level units like many of those on Rundle Mall.

At the end of the day this might be nothing other than a simple spruce up of the ground floor. I'm hoping for something bigger though...

[Ben]

Well at this stage no development applications have been lodged.

It could all just be a coincidence these tenancies are closing, but unlikely.

[Llessur2002]

Well at this stage no development applications have been lodged.

It could all just be a coincidence these tenancies are closing, but unlikely.

Word on the street (well the indoor plaza street) downstairs is that a renovation is planned. What's the maximum amount of work they could do without development approval? Could they even reconfigure (i.e. merge) internal units without it?

[Ben]

They would need a DA for most building alterations

[Llessur2002]

Well something’s happening. I just walked past the building manager standing in the plaza outside Athlete’s Foot sketching a picture of a lift. I instantly knew it was a lift because it was a cube with stick people in it and the word LIFT written on it…

[Pants]

I'm guessing H&M or Zara.

[Mpol03]

HnM, Zara an Uniclo all need to be in Rundle Mall. I'd throw in a Culture Kings, and a couple of high-end brands and the Mall could really be a great little shopping precinct. As of now it's just a cluster-fuck, despite being a big touristic draw card.

[SouthAussie94]

Llessur, are you sure you weren't a detective in a previous life? You're on the right..

[Llessur2002]

Llessur, are you sure you weren't a detective in a previous life? You're on the right..

Nah, I just spend eight hours each day in the building and have a reputation for getting bored quickly...

[Ben]

Do you know for sure if Atheletes Foot, OPSM or Swarovski are closing? They don't have any signs up atm.

[Llessur2002]

Athlete's Foot confirmed to me yesterday that they were leaving the building due to the 'renovations'. Haven't asked in OPSM yet but if French Connection are, and Athlete's Foot then I assume they are...

[Nathan]

I wonder if Athlete's Foot will be removed with some cream...


Sorry

[Llessur2002]

Update: OPSM are going. Architects are coming in tomorrow to start measuring up. My source (don't want to get anyone in trouble) reckons that all units along Gawler Place will be occupied by one retailer...

Fits in with the idea that there will be ground floor presence for someone who will occupy the larger spaces upstairs. Especially given the guy sketching the lift this morning. Hopefully that's a lift to Level 1, not just to the mezzanine.

I haven't been this excited since Wok in a Box on North Terrace closed. Oh we won't see the likes of those days again...

[Norman]

Thanks for your detective work Llessur, top stuff.