Chapel Street Podcast: On the phone with Beller Commercial's Fred Nucara

A host of planned ‘new arrival’ developments in Chapel Street will help to revive the retail strip, according to Director of Beller Commercial, Fred Nucara.

Every year, Beller Commercial conducts retail strip research: a manual foot walk and count of shop vacancies. From this unique research, Beller has a clear view on the changing fortunes of Melbourne’s various “high streets”.

Chapel Street is divided into three precincts: South Yarra, Prahran and Windsor. Whilst Windsor is now a pumping food and hospitality destination, Prahran and South Yarra sadly present a different story with a record number of vacancies, 17 in South Yarra and 24 in Prahran.

Fred took time out of his schedule to have a chat with me via phone as we discussed some of the factors that are currently impacting the strip now and into the future. 

Chapel Street is at the bottom of a bell curve at the moment. These major developments within the precinct are detracting from the usual vibrancy, because of the inconvenience, noise and distraction of the construction.

On a positive note, these major infrastructure investments are scheduled for completion in 2019 and 2020.

- Fred Nucara

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