Coco Republic: Balgowlah site of new high-end furniture store

It’s very swish and very popular — a top furniture and homewares retailer is opening its doors on the northern beaches

A Coco Republic store in Melbourne. The high-end furniture retailer has plans to open an outlet on Sydney’s northern beaches. Picture: Supplied

Local householders, homemakers and amateur interior designers are rejoicing.

One of Australia‘s swishiest high-end furniture and homeware brands will open an outlet on the northern beaches.

Coco Republic, which describes itself as “one of Australia and New Zealand’s leading furniture and design brands” — has successfully applied to planning authorities to bring one of its stores to Balgowlah.

An artists’s impression of the Coco Republic out at 2 and 4 Hayes St, Balgowlah, on the corner with Condamine St. Picture: Supplied

The two-storey showroom, expected to feature products such as sofas, rugs and lighting as well as outdoor furniture, will open — across the road from Freedom Furniture — on the corner of Condamine and Hayes streets.

It has been approved by the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel.

Documents linked to the development application, lodged by the property’s owner from Seaforth, suggest it will cost close to $2.2 million to refurbish the site, which includes joining two buildings — 2 and 4 Hayes St.

According to an assessment report by Northern Beaches Council officers, the DA includes a licensed eatery, the L’Americano Café, which can seat 70 patrons and have space for outdoor dining.

There will also be a basement carpark with spaces for 38 vehicles.

Staff getting a display ready at the Coco Republic furniture store at Crows Nest. Picture: News Corp

The shop will open from 10am to 5pm, seven days a week while the cafe will be allowed to start at 7:30am on weekdays and from 9am on weekends.

Up to 28 jobs across the showrooms and the cafe will be created.

The retailer has outlets in Sydney, including Alexandria, Crows Nest, Moore Park and Castle Hill. and in Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Auckland.

A “parents retreat” styled by Coco Republic. Picture supplied.

Coco Republic head office was contacted for comment about when the store will open, but is yet to respond.

News of the new retailer comes as the council announced it wanted to extend the shared path network along nearby Roseberry St, Balgowlah.

Coco Republic is well known for its range of sofas. Picture: Supplied

The 2.5m wide path, between Koorala St and Balgowlah Rd, would run past retailers including Aldi, Woolworths and the rear of Bunnings and Harvey Norman.

Northern Beaches Council is proposing a shared path along busy Roseberry St, Balgowlah and Manly Vale. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

The council said it would offer “better connection to supermarkets, fitness centres and surrounding shops and cafes”.

Residents are invited to make submissions to https://yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/