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What could become of David Jones’ vast department store spaces?

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What could become of David Jones’ vast department store spaces?

David Jones unveiled its Sydney Christmas windows yesterday as reports emerged that the 188-year-old retailer was primed to enter voluntary administration. Today, it did. Across Scentre Group’s portfolio alone, the chain occupies about 200,000sqm in 17 centres.

Any substantial retreat would leave an expensive consequence hanging over the empty floor space, so who can fill the department store’s vast floors and give customers a reason to keep visiting the shops around it?

Shopping-centre owners are now looking beyond shopping to bring people through the doors, and commercial property services and investment firm, CBRE, is particularly enthusiastic about the growing role of recreation.

“These activations mark the next evolution for regional shopping centres, transforming them into true community hubs that encourage longer visits, attract broader audiences and blur the lines between retail, recreation and lifestyle,” said Kate Bailey, its head of retail research.

Some former retail buildings have taken that evolution further, becoming places to study, receive medical care or borrow a book. These four conversions, completed or underway, show how spaces built for shopping can accommodate a new kind of working day.

At Westfield Knox in Melbourne, Myer closed in 2021 after 44 years, driven by growing online sales and nearby Myer stores.

The closure subsequently created space for a $355 million redevelopment. 4 million library occupies about 2,000 sqm on Level 3, twice the size of its former home. Then-mayor Lisa Cooper explained the appeal in 2021. “These are places everyone goes”. Supermarkets, retail, parking and books now share a customer’s day.


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