Every nuance and aesthetic subtlety contributes to the centre’s destinational quality. The centre is a seven-level vertical retail. It seamlessly integrates existing heritage facades with new buildings and extensive glazed features.
Users are at the core of our design. We applied retail principles to the building footprint, and defined and located entrances to follow the existing ‘ant track’ of pedestrian circulation. The planning of the mall layout includes determining the depth of tenancies, to achieve the larger stores required by international brands. There are clear sightlines to draw people to all levels. We considered existing bridge connections and added new connections to adjacent centres and stores.
The result is a pedestrian-friendly navigation. The voluminous and light space removes the closed-in feel and compactness often associated with indoor centres. The malls are spacious and interspersed with contemporary lounges and the finishes are high quality. There are timber-detailed ceilings, polished stone tiles and bluestone accents.
Emporium Melbourne is the most important retail development for ‘Australia’s fashion capital’ in over two decades.
Buchan worked in collaboration with Wonderwall, Rockwell Group and Russell & George
