Sephora Perth CBD Store | Commonwealth Bank

This pivotal project has helped to firmly establish Dar Studio’s niche of delivering high quality retail to heritage buildings. It involves the adaptation and fit-out to one of the vacant ground floor tenancies of the Commonwealth Bank, located on the corner of Murray Street and Forrest Place in the heart of the Perth CBD. This long-awaited transformation for the multinational retailer Sephora is a combination of base-build works and tenant fit-out. Interventions have worked sensitively within the grain of this magnificent Inter-War Beaux Arts building to help continue its longevity into the future.

Base-build included a range of service infrastructure works and repairs to existing walls, floor, and ceiling. The fit-out is simply inserted into the building shell with original walls and detailing retained and simply entombed with new wall finishes and joinery. The ceiling remains exposed, which has remnants of the original cornice detailing and trims. There are minor alterations to the Murray Street façade with branded signage striking a balance of old and new; enhancing the features of both.

Dar Studio were engaged as Architect and Heritage Advisor with the support of a valued consultant team to deliver this spectacular outcome for the city.

Thank you to Sephora for the opportunity.

Interesting Facts: The former Commonwealth Bank was constructed in the Depression era of 1930-33 in the Inter-War Beaux-Arts architectural style. It is a significant landmark building in the streetscape, which has been the subject of numerous internal alterations over the years in its use as a banking premises, and more recently as a number of retail and commercial tenancies.

Role: Full architectural service (lead consultant) from design to completion and heritage advice.

Location: 242 Murray Street, Perth

Completion: October 2022

Client: Sephora Australia

Contractor: Diverse Project Group

Services: Floth

Building Surveyor: Harman BCS

Structural Engineer: Peter Baxendale Consulting Engineers

Photographs: Sephora Australia