Dimmeys Richmond Ball and Tower Protected

The new owners of Richmond thrift store Dimmeys have supported a submission the landmark property be added to the Victorian Heritage Register, in a move that will protect the distinctive Swan Street building and its clock tower from inappropriate redevelopment.

The 102-year-old building is considered one of the city's best examples of large development stores built during the pre-World War I retail boom, following the 1890s depression.

The Heritage Council of Victoria, a statutory authority, is expected to formalise the decision to add Dimmeys to the Victorian Heritage Register by next year, where it will join landmarks such as the Melbourne GPO, Queen Victoria Market and the Palais Theatre.

Dimmeys quietly put its long-time Richmond home on the market in June, after deciding its business was no longer suited to a large-scale department store model. At the time of sale, it flagged interest in leasing a small portion of any existing retail redevelopment. The building sold for $16 million.

Sources expect the Dimmeys interior space to be reconfigured as a boutique retail shopping village, but this could not be confirmed with a representative from the private owner, Richmond Icon Pty Ltd, who was unavailable for comment.

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