Retail giants to be anchor tenants
Luxury international retailers Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein are moving into the former David Jones store on Wellington’s Lambton Quay, in what some are hoping is a turning of the tides for the somewhat bedraggled city.
Signs in the front window of the store – arguably the jewel in Lambton Quay’s crown – talk of ‘‘two international fashion brands coming in 2023’’ but there was no answer at the contact number to confirm what they were.
But a retail insider confirmed work was under way on the fit out for anchor tenants Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein.
The ground floor will house the retail giants while the second level floor of the former department store will be shared by three, not yet named, smaller retailers. The top floor will become offices.
The prime spot was for 153 years the high-end department store Kirkcaldie & Stains before it closed in 2016 to be replaced by David Jones, another high-end retailer, which pulled the pin in June.
It was the latest blow for the central city hammered first by Covid-19 lockdowns, then many workers choosing to work from home.
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau said that whatever went into the David Jones site would be a ‘‘step forward for retail and add another reason for shoppers to come to central Wellington’’ after a tough spell with Covid.
‘‘You need only see the popularity of the shops recently opened on the fabulously refurbished Stewart Dawson’s Corner to see what quality retail offerings mean for the city,’’ Whanau said. ‘‘It’s an exciting time.’’
Pukehı¯nau/Lambton ward councillor Nicola Young said it would be ‘‘great to get life back into that building’’ and it would start reinvigorating the city.
Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford said the site was ‘‘massive and iconic’’ but there had been a ‘‘hole’’ in the central city since David Jones closed.
The city had become a ‘‘retail desert’’ in recent times as people worked from home and the centre of town was losing its reputation as a shopping destination.
‘‘It is certainly good news for Wellington,’’ he said.
Harford said, while it would help revive the city, it was just one part of what was needed, alongside people actually coming to the city, as well as making sure there was decent public transport and parking.
First Retail Group managing director Chris Wilkinson confirmed other international apparel and footwear giants – which had already arrived in New Zealand – were looking for Wellington sites.
‘‘Wellington is bouncing back, certainly the streets are busier, cafes are busier, and while we’re still not back to full numbers of people working and studying in town, it is certainly looking a lot more positive than it has been.’’