David Jones is collapsing into administration, but a new office building at 435 Bourke Street will be home to two Chris Lucas restaurants set to open this month, aiming to help revive Melbourne’s midtown. Cbus chief executive Chris Kakoufas said hospitality had to be part of drawing people back to the area, while Lord Mayor Nick Reece called the openings an anchor for a new precinct.
The building at 435 Bourke Street already houses the Commonwealth Bank’s Melbourne headquarters, law firm Baker McKenzie, corporate advisers KordaMentha and super funds UniSuper and Hostplus. Together with the nearby National Australia Bank headquarters, it accounts for 15,000 office workers, according to Cbus chief executive Chris Kakoufas. Kakoufas said that after the lockdown period ended, the property giant decided the project needed a “reset” and brought Lucas in, and that hospitality had to be part of drawing people back to that part of the CBD.
David Jones has anchored the Bourke Street Mall for 44 years. The store has not closed but luxury retailers within have stripped their stock, leaving bare shelves. Reece said the retailer is still trading with remaining stock and that a rescue package could allow it to continue as a drawcard.
Lucas was initially reluctant to commit to midtown, citing doubts about nighttime activation. He asked for the entire building facade to be changed so it looked more like a restaurant than an office. He said New York’s Midtown revival inspired him, and he believes the area is gaining more nighttime amenity with the flagship Mecca in the Bourke Street Mall; more restaurants could be “the final piece of the puzzle”.
Noema, a Greek restaurant facing Bourke Street, features an open kitchen with a Josper charcoal oven and imported Greek condiments. Lucas said he wanted a Melbourne restaurant that “just happens to be serving Greek food”. Wishbone, a three-storey restaurant inspired by Hong Kong’s Wan Chai district, will be headed by chef Dan Chan and include a takeaway section for office workers.
Both restaurants are set to open this month. Lucas said he has never built two at once, likening it to having twins. He hopes diners from nearby Hardware Lane will spill across Bourke Street. “We still don’t know whether they will come, we won’t know until we open the doors,” he said.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The collapse of David Jones, a Bourke Street Mall anchor for 44 years, signals further strain on traditional retail in central cities.
- The new restaurants represent a bet on hospitality-led revival of Melbourne’s midtown, an area that struggled after the pandemic.
- If successful, the precinct could become a model for other CBDs seeking to attract evening crowds.
Background
David Jones entered administration in 2026, becoming the latest major retailer to struggle with changing shopping habits and reduced foot traffic. The Bourke Street Mall has been the heart of Melbourne’s retail district, and the department store’s troubles have raised questions about the future of the city centre. Meanwhile, 435 Bourke Street is a new tower developed by Cbus Property that aims to bring workers and visitors back through a mix of offices and hospitality.
Key Perspectives
Chris Lucas: The restaurateur was hesitant about midtown but now believes the area has potential, particularly at night. He describes Noema as a sophisticated Greek restaurant and Wishbone as a Chinese eatery inspired by Hong Kong.
Chris Kakoufas: The Cbus chief executive sees hospitality as essential to reviving the CBD and says the two restaurants will help draw people back.
Lord Mayor Nick Reece: He welcomes the openings as an anchor for a new precinct and expresses optimism that David Jones can continue if a rescue package is found.
What to Watch
- Whether the restaurants attract enough evening diners to justify Lucas’s investment.
- The fate of David Jones: a rescue package may determine whether the store remains a retail anchor.
- Broader impact on Melbourne’s midtown foot traffic and nighttime economy.