James Street David Jones The Second Of Its Kind In Australia

James Street has been given a strong endorsement by retail leader David Jones, after plans were submitted to feature the country's second boutique-format high end store, just months after the retail giant opened the first boutique-format store in Sydney's Barangaroo in the CBD late last year.

The James Street store at 6 James Street Fortitude Valley will be around one quarter of the size of David Jones' Toowong department store and would include 1437 square metres of floor space over four levels.

The proposed development with a total site area of 892 sqm is intended to carry out internal fit out alterations to convert the existing showroom building into a shop. The development will be located within an existing building and the approved built form, GFA, parking/access and manoeuvring facilities and services will be retained and reused as part of the proposal.

Commenting on the new store, David Jones Chief Executive Officer John Dixon said, “James Street is one of Brisbane’s most vibrant shopping and lifestyle precincts making it an ideal location for our new boutique format. This dynamic format enables us to deliver an innovative store experience in a smaller footprint, with a customised fashion and beauty offering and specialised services.”

The dynamic boutique store will house a bespoke merchandise offer curated specifically to suit inner–city Brisbane’s growing population and the many visitors to the thriving James Street retail and lifestyle precinct. David Jones James Street will operate over four levels with a carefully curated mix of fashion, beauty and accessories brands, and feature a customised store design complementing the unique precinct. Supplementing the boutique offering, the new store will offer customers access to David Jones’ full collections via its Click and Collect service.

The subject site is currently improved by an existing showroom building most recently occupied by SPACE Furniture. The new development will not alter the appearance of building within the streetscape of James St with the exception of new signage.

The department store business was bought by Woolworths South Africa for $2.2 billion in 2014, and reportedly plans to open its first convenience food pilot/concept store towards the end of 2017.