Mariana Hardwick leases historic Victorian building in South Melbourne
Renowned bridal wear designer Mariana Hardwick has leased a prominent and historic corner building in South Melbourne which she will relocate to from Brunswick.
The dressmaker will pay a starting annual rent of $100,000 to occupy 234-236 Coventry Street (pictured top and left), on the north-east corner of Yarra Street. The property is about a kilometre south of the CBD and walking distance to Southbank.
South Melbourne Market and the Clarendon Street retail strip are a short distance from Ms Hardwick’s next store.
The Victorian building will now be reconfigured into a showroom and design studio following a leasing campaign managed by Knight Frank’s Paul Pellegrino for the landlord, a private investor.
The 420 square metre double-storey building sits on a 268 sqm block and includes one car park. Painted in graffiti art, part of the building was previously occupied by Aeria Country Floors – a natural stone and products supplier.
Four years ago, Ms Hardwick sold her high-profile store known as 1/459-495 Sydney Road, Brunswick, with a leaseback for five years with two seven year renewal options.
Ms Hardwick bought the strata titled Brunswick property, again within a historic building, in 2005. This property, the former Hoopers Drapers store, was also reportedly previously owned by the Waltons and Spotlight and is in a pocket of Brunswick containing numerous other wedding dress suppliers.
