Home HQ North Shore by Charter Hall
Home HQ North Shore is the lower North Shore’s first integrated Bulky Goods Centre. The project involved the adaptive reuse of an existing Heritage listed building into a functional retail centre which provides 22,20sqm of retail area over three levels and parking for over 500 cars. Home HQ North Shore is also the first 4 Star Green Star rated Bulky Goods Centre in Australia. The centre provides a dynamic one-stop shopping destination for technology, home and lifestyle products that is designed to appeal to the high income population that reside on the North Shore.
The project incorporates the adaptive reuse of an existing heritage listed industrial building that is one few surviving buildings associated with the development of the industrial precinct of Artarmon. High quality design has enabled much of the existing building including façade and roof framing to be retained and reused whilst internal modifications have created functional retail floor space that is sympathetic to the industrial nature of the building and provides customers with a unique shopping experience.
The change in use from heavy duty industrial to bulky goods retailing has filled the gap to in an underserviced market segment on the Lower North Shore. The centres co-location with neighbouring property Bunning’s Warehouse and some existing bulky goods retailers located adjacent has established the area as a destinational bulky goods and lifestyle precinct.
The addition of Home HQ North Shore to this location has provided new services to the surrounding industrial area and brought benefit to local businesses. The centre’s strong tenancy mix includes some of Australia’s best known national retailers which has provided customers with a range of new retailers to the area.
Judges Comments
A focus on customer convenience and comfort has enabled the developer to integrate conflicting heritage constraints with essential retail planning, and a strong desire for sustainability through innovative design.
The adaptive reuse of an existing heritage listed building into a functional bulky goods retail centre has revitalised a most derelict site, with the project being the first 4 star Green Star rated bulky goods centre in Australia.
The change in use from industrial to retail has reinvigorated a largely unusable building without detrimentally changing the industrial nature of the surrounding area and the centre, though over three levels, has been well accepted by retailers with all space leased or under offer.