Manly Corso: The Galleria to get $3m facelift to attract high quality retail including posh deli

A shift to lavish new stores a rundown Manly arcade will be part of a $3m facelift. See the plans here.

It has long been regarded as the eyesore of Manly’s main shopping precinct and a problem that no-one could seem to solve.

But The Galleria – the ‘daggy’ arcade halfway down The Corso – which has been the home to $2 tourist shops for as long as anyone can remember, is undergoing a $3m renovation and is being rebranded as The Rialto.

In an amazing Cinderella transformation, the whole of the ground floor will become a boutique Greek deli and open cafe, offering good quality produce.

There will be established entrances at the front and back of the building, connecting the arcade to Rialto Square at the rear and helping to activate that space too.

The first floor of the arcade will be made up of high-end retail and the top floor will be quality office space.

The first major coup is the cookie brand Butter Boy, a new Manly business which moved into the first floor of the arcade during lockdown.

It will be taking over the prominent former Hungry Jack’s space fronting The Corso when the renovation is done.

The business, which was created by the guys behind Rollers Bakehouse, in Rialto Lane, produces unique freshly-baked cookies and cookie dough to take home to cook from its onsite kitchen and has a funky social media presence.

“Rollers is a high quality operation in Manly and they’ve now brought us Butter Boy,” James Willing, from Belle Property Commercial, said.

“This brand is undeniably phenomenal.

“That’s the kind of pedigree retail to expect.”

Mr Willing said the arcade is now under a majority owner.

He worked with the owner to create a strategy to turn what has been an eyesore with a hodgepodge of low rent retail into Manly’s jewel in the crown.

“Belle Commercial and I put this together. I’m the agent to do it, a lot of people have tried before me,” Mr Willing said.

“It was an 18 month process and has been the biggest challenge of my career.

“It’s going to be one of the coolest little places in Manly and a high end experience.”

He said the majority owner who has previous experience in Manly’s retail does not want to be identified.

People out on The Corso in Manly last month. Picture: Damian Shaw

Mr Willing said Manly was enjoying a refresh due to Covid.

He said all the businesses that were hanging on because of the tourist dollar have gone and are being replaced with shops for locals.

“High end retail attracts high end retail,” Mr Willing said.

“We are giving Manly the opportunity to pitch to high end retailers in a new landscape that is for locals rather than tourists.”

Charlotte Rimmer, President of Manly Business Chamber, said it was great to see the potential of the new businesses moving into the centre of The Corso.

Brian Walker from Retail Doctor said kudos to both the developer and agent for working together on the arcade and providing some quality offerings.

He said Butter Boy was an impressive brand, although questioned the synergy between that and the deli.

“Overall Manly needs a really clear strategy around it’s retail transformation,” Mr Walker said.

“At the moment it is being driven by entrepreneurs, but what is needed is a retail masterplan.

“If one exists it should be shared, if not it needs to be created.”

He said whatever goes into the former Billabong space, which is a landmark site, will be important to Manly’s future.

“I’d rather see it carved up than go to something like Uniqlo,” Mr Walker said.

“Only global brands can afford the rent for that size.”