Manly fashion hub: 23 Albert’s new store to help create designer precinct
It could be the backstreets of New York or the Marais in Paris, according to a designer store owner who is moving to Manly with bold plans to help create a new fashion precinct in the CBD.
Manly
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Moves are being made to create a designer quarter in Manly’s CBD, with a major new retailer signing up.
23 Albert, which opened in Freshwater seven years ago offering international and Australian designer brands, is moving to the new 2095 development on Sydney Rd.
Marlene Mangioni, owner of 23 Albert, named after its original location, said it was taking the space on the corner of Sydney Rd and Whistler St.
The hope is it will act as an “anchor” attracting other independent businesses to the vicinity to help create a designer boutique precinct.
She said the area off the main strip was perfect for independent businesses.
“It’s more secret, more under the radar,” she said.
“It could be the backstreets of New York or the Marais in Paris.
“It’s going to be the place to come and visit.
“I want it to be more of a discovery.”
In the area there are already several boutiques including a designer denim store One Teaspoon opposite the new 23 Albert shop and Bow and Arrow, on Whistler St, which focuses on “slow-made, handcrafted” clothes.
In a report last year the Manly Business Chamber suggested an upgrade of the “tired” Corso was needed to attract shoppers.
It also recommended building on “precinct destinations” that already exist within Manly such as the fitness district around Central Ave, lifestyle in Whistler St, Rialto La’s urban oasis, beachfront dining, harbourside hospitality and the convenience district around the wharf and The Corso.
Tracey Mietzke, vice chairwoman of the chamber and a business development manager for the Athas Group which owns a number of properties in Manly, said the major landlords were keen to build on organically evolving precincts within the CBD.
She said the arrival of 23 Albert will help boost the Whistler St area as a “fashion destination”.
Ms Mangioni also said she was also excited about the changes along Pittwater Rd where there was a number of eclectic businesses such as Sunset Sabi and Showbox Coffee.
She said the area was developing into what Oxford St was in Paddington many years ago.
She said while Freshwater will always have a piece of her heart she was excited about moving to her new store which is 30 to 40 per cent bigger than the one in Freshwater.