Collette Dinnigan's first ever shop in Paddington sold

Collette Dinnigan's first ever shop in Paddington sold
Staff reporterDecember 7, 2020

Designer Collette Dinnigan has sold her first ever Sydney store to a local owner-occupier who bought the 74-square-metre terrace as an office.

The property sold for nearly $23,000 a square metre in terms of land rate. 

About 100 groups enquired about the property and 14 made inspections.

It was 1992 when, in her mid-20s living above the shop, she moved into the William Street, Paddington premises.

She launched her lingerie collection which was soon being exported to the likes of Barneys New York and Harvey Nichols in London.

Dinnigan bought the boutique space for $625,000 in 1998, vacating it when she relocated to Queen Street, which closed in 2014 as she sought new adventures outside of the fashion world in property with her husband Bradley Cocks.

Dinnigan's shop had a $1,625,000 guide for its forthcoming July 7 auction through BresicWhitney agent Ivan Bresic.

Collette Dinnigan's first ever shop in Paddington sold

"Yes it is a very emotional decision and certainly marks the end of an era," Dinnigan said.
 
"William Street was good to me and gave me the exposure I needed in the Australian market to build my brand.
 
“It’s such a fantastic area for local artisans and up-and-coming designers and bespoke retailers.
 
"I still drive in from the Southern Highlands and make Alimentari (the continental deli) at the bottom of William Street my first stop!

"Interiors and home is what excites me at the moment and I am having lots of fun doing projects in both Australia and Italy.
 
"Although it’s taking a little longer than anticipated Bradley and I hope to launch 'Dinnigan Cocks — Bespoke Homes' later in the year."

Since she departed the 33 William Street space, the store's occupants have included Bailey Nelson.

Collette Dinnigan's first ever shop in Paddington sold

The fashion street's most recent arrival was fashion designer Jasmine Yarborough, the fiancé of breakfast television co-host Karl Stefanovic.

Yarborough rents a space at 76 William Street for her Mara & Mine collection which she launched with best friend Tamara Ingham.

The shop they rent has been a long-term investment for the owners, who have held the shop since 1992.

There have been several recent sales including an original mixed-use Victorian terrace at 70 William Street for $1.55 million. It had a $1.4 million buyers guide.

Another commercial space at 80 William Street fetched $1.9 million, up on its $1.7 million trade in 2016.

Dinnigan's main focus now is on launching Bespoke Homes, the luxury rental platform she's developing with her husband, hotel and tourism entrepreneur Bradley Cocks.

They've already gathered a number of properties, including a 400 year old farmhouse in Italy.

There's a doer-upper near Batemans Bay, a Darling Point terrace and a property in Paddo.

Dinnigan has sought to offload her long-held Surry Hills office space.

 

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