The owners of the Orange City Centre complex have lodged a development application to redevelop the existing Myer store which will close following Myer’s announcement last week.
Alecono and its partner CPRAM Investments, owners of the Orange City Centre complex, are proposing a redevelopment of the Myer building to create a new retail environment which will accommodate a new Harris Scarfe department store, a mini-major and approximately 1500sqm of specialty shops.
If approved, the work is expected to start in April 2017 to accommodate potential new tenants and is due to be completed by the end of June 2018. The new look will include a new side entry via Post Office Lane with al fresco dining.
Under the proposed revamp, the existing Summer Street facade of the complex will be retained and two new specialty shops on either side of a new single mall entry connecting through to a smaller format department store and the existing shopping centre will be created.
Because the Myer building is largely self-contained, the centre will continue to trade during the construction period, with the Anson Street and basement car park entries to remain open.
The revamp coincides with the announcement that Myer will not be extending its 30-year tenancy in the Orange City Centre complex.
Orange City Centre manager Nicole Chapman said the entire Orange CBD will benefit greatly from the proposed redevelopment.
“The proposed development provides an exciting opportunity for the long standing retailing history of this building, to evolve further as it transitions from a single tenant building to a multiple tenant one,” Chapman said.
“We believe that if the development application is approved, it will allow us to create an exciting new meeting place for the residents of Orange and commence a new chapter in the retailing history of the building.”
Olivier Sicouri, who spoke on behalf of the owners, said that while it is disappointing to see Myer close its doors, they are excited by the opportunity to work with the council, the community, Harris Scarfe Orange City Centre and other retailers to bring the new project to life and to further strengthen the amenity and appeal of the Orange CBD.
“Orange is a key component of our strategy in expanding the Harris Scarfe brand into New South Wales. Our stores offer an extensive range of products to customers and provide a strong proposition of quality and well known brands. Competitive prices and a diversity of product and pricing appeals to customers that know us, and those who discover us,” said Graham Dean, Harris Scarfe CEO.
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