But architects try to acknowledge its past, writes Stephen Crafti.
MYER Melbourne was once an iconic store. With its stylised art deco facade, the department store celebrated the city's position as the premier retail destination.
But over the decades changes were made, such as the addition of clumsy street awnings and painted-out windows, as natural light and shopping were considered an inappropriate mix.
These mistakes are being corrected through a major refurbishment by NH Architecture and The Buchan Group. "Retailing in the 1950s and '60s was driven by American trends, where retail displays weren't seen at their best in full light," says architect Roger Nelson, NH Architecture principal.
Previously spread over two buildings with a total floor area of 65,000 square metres, the new Myer Melbourne store will be about 42,000 square metres, with its head office now at Docklands, and is owned by Colonial First State Property Management. The new
fit-out will drag the retailer into the 21st century. "We have respected Myer's past, but we were keen to open up the spaces and engage people, both within the store and the surrounds," says Nelson.
One of the most dramatic changes to Myer's facade is a steel and glass awning on Bourke Street. While the addition is clearly contemporary, it features graphic motifs derived from the existing facade.
And this transparent solution allows shoppers to admire the art deco architecture Melbourne is renowned for. While the facade has been restored and painted white to highlight its form and detail, the interior is contemporary. Rather than layering floors, the architects have designed a 40-metre-high atrium as the core of the building.
Angled at approximately 15 degrees to maximise northern light, the atrium also strengthens connections between the building's seven levels. And instead of solid balustrades there are angled walls and escalators with transparent sides.
The pinnacle of the design is in the atrium space on levels six and seven. Designed by NH Architecture, the "crown" features a gold steel roof lined with timber battens. The dramatic skylight demands attention, as do the "tears" within the harlequin feature walls.
"We wanted sight lines to some of Melbourne's other great landmarks, such as the GPO," Nelson says.
In the tradition of the historic Mural Hall, also on the top level, the new crown is designed to celebrate Melbourne's cultural achievements, as well as increase retail sales. Nelson said he hoped the crown would be used for events such as fashion parades.
Like the best contemporary architecture that combines the past and the present, the northern elevation, facing Little Bourke Street, features triangular-shaped aluminium panels, in hues of brown and gold. "We wanted to create something that was quite playful, as well as functional. It doesn't have all the embellishments of the original facade, but has its own presence, of the here and now," adds Nelson.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
What is the Myer Melbourne makeover and why was the Myer store refurbished?
The Myer Melbourne makeover is a major refurbishment of the flagship department store led by NH Architecture and The Buchan Group. The fit-out modernises the store for the 21st century while respecting its art deco past, opening up spaces, improving sightlines and engaging shoppers both inside the building and with its surrounds.
Who owns the new Myer Melbourne store and where is Myer’s head office located?
The redeveloped Myer Melbourne store is owned by Colonial First State Property Management, and Myer’s head office has been relocated to Docklands, according to the article.
How has the Myer Melbourne store’s floor area changed after the redevelopment?
Previously spread across two buildings with a combined 65,000 square metres, the new Myer Melbourne store will be about 42,000 square metres after the refurbishment.
What are the standout architectural features of the Myer Melbourne refurbishment?
Key features include a steel-and-glass awning on Bourke Street that echoes art deco motifs, a restored and repainted white facade, a dramatic 40-metre-high central atrium angled about 15 degrees to maximise northern light, transparent-sided escalators, and a ‘crown’ on levels six and seven with a gold steel roof lined with timber battens and a striking skylight.
How does the new atrium design aim to improve customer experience at Myer Melbourne?
The 40-metre-high atrium, angled to capture northern light and connect seven levels, opens sightlines across the store, uses transparent elements to increase visibility of displays, and strengthens connections between floors — all intended to make the shopping experience brighter, more engaging and more navigable for customers.
What role does heritage play in the Myer makeover and how was the art deco facade treated?
Architects deliberately acknowledged Myer’s heritage: the original art deco facade was restored and painted white to highlight its details, and contemporary additions—like the glass awning—use graphic motifs derived from the existing facade so the past and present are combined sensitively.
How might the new ‘crown’ and event spaces affect retail activity at Myer Melbourne?
The ‘crown’ on the top levels was designed to celebrate Melbourne’s cultural achievements and is intended for events such as fashion parades. The architects say these event-capable spaces should help increase retail sales by drawing customers and creating destinations within the store.
What should retail property investors note about the Myer Melbourne redevelopment?
Investors may note that the flagship is now owned by an institutional manager (Colonial First State Property Management), the store has been modernised and downsized from 65,000 to about 42,000 square metres, and design features (large atrium, event 'crown', restored heritage facade) are explicitly intended to boost shopper engagement and retail sales — all factors that can influence foot traffic and long-term asset positioning.
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