Brands revealed for retail mecca
Precinct Properties’ $1 billion Commercial Bay shopping and commercial complex in downtown Auckland will open its doors in September, unveiling 120 new retailers.
Around 40 of the 120 shops will be restaurants and dining outlets, half will be fashion, and seven retailers will be dedicated to health and beauty and service-based amenities.
Stage one of the opening is the three-level retail complex, followed by the commercial office tower in December. The InterContinental Hotel will open in 2022.
When the entire complex is open next year it will include access to offices, underground railway tunnels and eventually connect the hotel with the shopping complex. It is expected to attract 10 million visitors each year.
The shops set to open in Commercial Bay will be a varied mix of international retail giants and smaller New Zealand brands.
Precinct Properties chief executive Scott Pritchard said the shopping precinct was designed to be open air and replicate the laneways Melbourne is renowned for.
The complex is around 85 per cent filled with retail tenants, he said. It is expected to be full by opening.
Here’s a look at the shops set to open in Commercial Bay.
Dior Perfumes and Beauty
Christian Dior, commonly known as Dior, is spending $1 million opening its first New Zealand store in Commercial Bay.
The namesake luxury retailer’s store will take on mainstream Australian makeup brand Mecca which will also be opening in the complex.
The Dior Perfumes and Beauty flagship boutique will be on the ground level, and employ eight staff.
“We’ve been thinking long and hard about opening a store in New Zealand, we were just waiting for the right opportunity,” Mathieu Sampson, general manager for Dior Perfumes in New Zealand and Australia, said.
Mecca will also take a large space in the complex, located on the Queen Street side close to H&M. High-end cosmetics company L’Occitane will also open a store.
“I think people will be really surprised and excited for the Dior store, especially when you combo that with Mecca,” Michael Sweetman, Precinct Properties retail development manager, said.
Sandro & Maje
Fashion labels Sandro & Maje, which specialise in clothing and apparel, are each making a New Zealand debut in the complex and will be located in the specialty strip which sits in the east-west laneway.
The French brands, owned by SMCP Group, have been well received in the Australian market and are considered one of its most-loved brands.
A SMCP Group spokesman said the company was excited to open its first New Zealand store. “Commercial Bay presents a fantastic opportunity to launch Sandro & Maje to the New Zealand market. Surrounded by other fashion forward brands, we’re excited to be a part of this new and dynamic fashion precinct.”
Sweetman said new market entrants would be a drawcard for Auckland shoppers.
“Sandro and Maje brands are going to be very exciting for Auckland — it’s new to market, and I think the aesthetic will be welcomed,” Pritchard said. “Anything that’s new to market, point of difference, is great for Commercial Bay and great for the CBD.”
Kate Spade
Kate Spade will open its second New Zealand store in Commercial Bay, following its flagship opening in Auckland International Airport’s departures terminal.
The luxury handbag and accessory brand was founded by the American namesake designer in 1993.
Men’s fashion house Hugo Boss will relocate from Queen Street into the complex. It will be located on the Queen St side of the site, close to H&M.
There are two other major retailers set to open on the Queen St strip which have not yet been announced.
“The retailers positioned on Queen Street, taking more bigger spaces, they are what we describe as mini major stores,” Pritchard says.
On the corner of Customs St, overlooking the harbour, Spark will open a three-storey store at the bottom of the 40-level commercial office tower.
Furla
Furla, another luxury hand bag brand, which also has a store at Auckland Airport, will open in the complex, along with luggage retailer Hershel Supply Co.
The Furla store will be located on the Queen Street side of the complex.
New Zealand brands
New Zealand brands Federation, 3 Wise Men and Barkers are all set to open shops.
Footwear company Wittner is new to the Auckland market, already having a small store on Victoria Street in Wellington, along with premium casual footwear brand Solect and footwear brand Scarpa.
Other retailers which have announced they will open in Commercial Bay are Rodd & Gunn, Suprette and Just Another Fisherman.
Hair salon Loxy’s which specialises in hair extensions is opening a Commercial Bay salon. Loxy spokesperson Kate Jarrett said the harbourside location would create a great environment for its second Auckland salon.
Food and dining options will be located on the top floor of the complex.
There will a food court called Harbour Eats, with 40 different operators ranging from Malaysian to European food.
Restaurants in the precinct include acclaimed New York restaurant Saxon & Parole, Ghost Donkey, which specialises in Mexican cuisine, Mimi Gilmour’s Burger Burger, Hawker and Roll, Simon and Lee and London cocktail bar called Genuine Liquorette.
More eateries and restaurants are set to be announced later this month, including a restaurant by Al Brown.
“Commercial Bay is about offering something that is leveraging the city but is really unique,” Pritchard says.
Taking the area’s name from the 1840s when it was the centre of Auckland’s trade, Commercial Bay is set to be a game-changing destination.
“Success for us looks like a tourist or an Aucklander meandering along and finding themselves in the middle of Commercial Bay,”says Pritchard.