Coffey Projects excites Sydney with Burberry Flagship Store

Following on from the restoration of the Queen Victoria Building, Coffey International Limited subsidiary Coffey Projects has delivered another magnificent shopping experience to Sydney – the Burberry flagship store at 343 George Street.

The visually stunning development, project managed by Coffey Projects, represents a makeover of huge proportions. The George Street building, constructed in 1925 and regarded as a significant early example of the Commercial Palazzo style, had been the headquarters of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Ltd through to the 1980’s.

The project has successfully maintained heritage elements of the former bank site with a modern, high-end fitout. The interior, clad in a collection of fine, and now rare, Australian marbles, vaulted seven metre high marble columns, bronze finishes and honour boards has been expertly combined with the latest in technology, including two giant flat-screen LED video walls and in store touch-screen technology in the 820 square metre space. British themes and materials have also been utilised throughout the development to reflect Burberry’s heritage.

According to Project Manager, Coffey Project’s Nelson Silva, “We have aimed to respect the old while playing up the new contemporary outlay. Heritage conservation is the management of change: for the comprehensive Burberry fitout we have utilised our specialist knowledge, experience and passion to appropriately conserve those important historic aspects of the building. At the same time, we have guided the refreshed new interior design fitout and the elegant architectural revival of the grand old institution to ensure it evolves as one of the premier historic retail destinations in Australia.”

As project managers, Coffey Projects worked as client representatives and risk managers, ensuring the project was delivered on budget, on time and to excellent standards, reflecting the new Burberry design concept developed by Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey.

“Working with the City of Sydney, Heritage Council and Burberry, we have together achieved a delicate balance between historical preservation and commercial necessity. Testament to this is also our recent experiences in delivering the Queen Victoria Building refurbishment for Ipoh Pty and the City of Sydney” commented Nelson Silva.

Burberry are also pleased with the results. Angela Ahrendts, CEO of Burberry describing the new flagship store, said, “We are so proud of the store, which combines the full Burberry product offering with the very latest in digital technology and great customer service, giving our shoppers in the city an unrivalled brand and luxury experience. This innovative store environment inside a beautiful heritage building is the perfect reflection of the history and modern attitude of the Burberry brand”.

She added that "this innovative store environment inside a beautiful heritage building is the perfect reflection of the history and modern attitude of the Burberry brand”.