A new beginning for Myer

The official opening of the new Myer head office in Docklands last month featured a mix of the old and the new.

Baillieu Myer, the 84-year-old son of the founder Sidney Myer, cut the ribbon on May 19 to begin a new chapter for the store.

Mr Myer had earlier commented on the amazing changes he had witnessed during his 65 years with the company, which his father started in Bendigo in 1901.

He said with great public transport and technological links with the Bourke St store, there was no reason why Docklands-based staff would not know what was happening on the shop floor.

Myer has about 1000 staff at its new Docklands headquarters in Collins St, from where it administers 65 stores around Australia.

Chief executive Bernie Brookes said the move gave the company an opportunity to build a new internal culture.

The Five Star Green Star building came in ahead of schedule and under budget.

Mr Brookes described the building’s design as a “Chanel bottle with a black strip”.

Each of the building’s 10 storeys is decorated in themes and furnishings from decades of the 20th century.

“It’s no surprise, they put me in the ‘60s,” Mr Brookes joked.

The top floor has a child minding centre, an external sun deck, a gymnasium, a parenting room, a wellness room and a prayer room.

“If we have a good month, you’ll find us all in the wellness room,” Mr Brookes said.  “If the results aren’t so good, we’ll be in the prayer room.”

In recognition of the past, the company has reconstructed Sidney Myer’s office within its first floor reception area.  The classical furniture is in contrast to the shiny 21st century finish and slick ambience in the rest of the building.

But Myer recognises and respects the part that heritage plays in its brand today and the unequalled place it occupies in the collective Australian psyche.