Big-name international clothing labels, including the exclusive Versace brand, are coming to Auckland with the opening of a chic $60 million retail development in High St.
In a vote of confidence in the New Zealand retail economy, local and international store owners have signed up for the new Chancerydevelopment, which will have 35 shops. It will open in November.
The owner/developers are remaining tight-lipped about most of the retailers, but they have announced four of the shops:
* Versace, bringing fashion directly from Italy and also importing its interior shop fitout from Italy. Although Versace items are already available at other stores in New Zealand, this will be the first Versace shop opened here.
* Esprit, another international designer label, taking one corner of the new complex for its first flagship store and introducing new products for its launch.
* Hairdressers Servilles, establishing a two-storey salon and retail store stocking haircare products.
* Living and Giving, another local retailer which has specialised in suburban stores to date. This will be its first Auckland CBD store.
In a break away from tradition, each of the stores will have an individual facade, giving the development a friendlier face than many other retail developments.
Stonemasons are about to begin installing the imported sandstone, granite and marble claddings for the facades.
The development is being built on the former open carparking site bordered by Courthouse Lane and Chancery and Kitchener Sts.
Chancery is a joint venture between Mission Corporation and Westmark Group.
