David Jones’ first stand-alone food hall to open in $800 million Capitol Grand development

David Jones’ new South Yarra store is set to make history. Located in the glamorous new Capitol Grand complex, the stand-alone food hall is the first in the department store’s 181-year history and will be stocked full of delicious offerings.

Brooke Miller with David Jones managing director of food Pieter de Wet in the David Jones food hall in Malvern. Picture: Aaron Francis

David Jones is set to open its first stand-alone food store in the new Capitol Grand development next week, making it the first retailer to open in the $800 million six-star luxury apartment development in South Yarra.

Pre-prepared vegetables on offer at David Jones Food at Malvern Central.

The contemporary new compact store format will turn traditional food shopping on its head when it opens its doors next Thursday, with fresh food products comprising more than 70 per cent of the 2000 items for sale.

David Jones food managing director Pieter de Wet said the new concept is a reimagining of the modern corner shop, marrying convenience with the highest quality produce and everyday goods.

“We see ourselves as a little pantry for the people who live there and around it.

“Our customer is quite busy, appreciates good food, it’s designed to make life easier for them,” he said.

David Jones recently opened a food hall at their Malvern Central store. Picture: Aaron Francis

Capitol Grand developer Larry Kestelmann said more than 170 of the 400 apartments are now occupied, with 95 per cent occupancy expected by Christmas.

The Capitol Grand development has been under construction for some time.

“All of the 10-storey tower is full and we’re up to level 28 (of 50 floors) on the big tower,” he said.

While several high-end fashion brands were touted as potential tenants when the development was first announced three years ago, the retail mix is now expected to be more balanced between services, food and beverage and fashion.

The interior of the Capitol Grand apartments.

European bistro Omnia, which has received good reviews as a pop up in Toorak Rd, is set to relocate across from the David Jones food store in about three weeks.

“Less fashion and more services and food and beverage is the trend, we will continue that,” Kestelmann said.

An artist’s impression of what the Capitol Grand interior will look like.

“We will be opening at least three venues there for hospitality and that (Omnia) is the first one.

“A number of other significant brands are going in there from March next year.”

De Wet says being the first store to open in the substantial new development is not expected to impact the flow of customers because the store has street frontage on to Chapel St.

An artist’s impression of the Capitol Grand retail precinct.

“It’s literally on the street, we couldn’t ask for a better location for the brand.

“As the balance of the precinct grows it will bring more footfall into the centre but we are not dependent on that based on the location of the store,” he said.

Both de Wet and Kestelmann acknowledged the parlous state of the once thriving Chapel st retail precinct but emphasise that food and services are key to revitalising the booming residential area.

“It’s had a bit of bad press around fashion retail not being as relevant as it used to be but the food retail environment is quite upbeat in that space,” de Wet said.

Kestelmann said the area will see 3000 new residents move in to a series of developments over the next 12 months.

“The area is on the uplift.

“The volume of people moving in is increasing by the thousands literally every couple of months,” he said.