10 storeys tell the story of Myer

Whether it's the Sidney Myer Room on level 1 near reception, or the design of each lift lobby, which reflect the fashions and feel of the various decades from the 1920s to the 1990s, the rich 100-year history of the grand retailer is on display.

"Having a story in the workplace is important. We wanted to celebrate Myer their influence in retail, fashion, culture, the music of the time, their connection in Melbourne," Jane Williams, principal of BVN Architecture, which designed the building, told BusinessDay.

The $200 million office, which is in Collins Street in Docklands and officially opens today, houses the 1000 administrative staff who will look after Myer's 65 national stores.

The refurbishment of the landmark retail building in Melbourne's Bourke Street mall will be unveiled later this year.

The historic theming of the office starts with art nouveau and art deco at the lower levels.

On level five, the 1940s and 1950s, the patterns on the walls show items such as a chocolate box and silk stockings "things they could not get their hands on in the war and the period after the war", Williams said.

On other levels, the wallpaper of the 1970s and 1980s is laser cut into the wall and old posters of Myer Grace Bros and advertising model Deborah Hutton grace the surrounds.

The original desk of company founder Sidney Myer dominates the Sidney Myer room, which contains furniture from Mr Myer's former office at the Lonsdale Street store.

Williams said the shape of the building, inspired by the Chanel perfume box, emphasises elegance, simplicity and sharpness, in contrast to its neighbours the coloured, busy National Australia Bank building, and the textured ANZ headquarters, three times the size of Myer.

There was also a conscious decision to invest in sustainability, said Myer's director of property development, Paul Banks. "We're 5-Green Star in design already, but will wait for 12 months to get 5-star as built," he said.

"We put in a bit more money for cogeneration, syphonic drainage, waterless urinals, taps that don't use too much water . . . there are fewer car parks, trams out the front. Cogeneration gas and diesel can supply up to 30 per cent of our power requirements."

The building also has a job to do. There are numerous meeting rooms; those from levels two to nine are named after the 65 Myer stores, while level-one rooms are named after CBD streets. Video conferencing in three rooms enables regions to beam in and take part in the meeting.

Each floor has a cafe, with furniture of the decade, and is decorated with messmate timber. "This 'natural element' gives a sense of warmth and longevity," Williams said.

Small meeting tables are surrounded by different curtain-like materials. A mock-up of a shop front window allows staff to workshop ideas for displays.

A total of 560 compactus bays store a variety of products, and there are 1000 storage units. "The open-plan design clear, expansive, with huge visibility is also quiet," Banks said.

The Myer head office was managed and constructed by Bovis Lend Lease and designed in conjunction with BVN. The building is owned by a Lend Lease-managed fund, and SEB.