Overview
Melbourne will soon be home to one of the world's largest standalone beauty destinations: MECCA's flagship Bourke Street store — opening on Friday, August 8. This 4000-square-metre location spans three massive levels, with over 200 beauty brands and 80 services crammed inside. Plus, a series of in-store concepts make this a bold new chapter in experiential beauty retail.
MECCA Bourke Street has taken up residency in the storied 299 Bourke Street — a 1930s heritage-listed building (most recently David Jones' menswear store) once home to the iconic Cole's Book Arcade. A fitting destination for MECCA's Bourke Street endeavour, leading architecture practice Studio McQualter was brought on board to restore the building's age-old features down to the smallest detail, from its arched windows and terrazzo flooring to the shopfront tiles.
MECCA's Sydney flagship, George Street.
"MECCA Bourke Street is the physical embodiment of our purpose — to embolden through beauty by helping people look, feel, and be their best. It reimagines what experiential retail can be, fusing creativity, culture, and collaboration to create something so much more than a store — it's the MECCA of all MECCAs," says MECCA Founder and Co-CEO, Jo Horgan.
Over three times the size of MECCA George Street and more than 60 times the original MECCA Toorak Road store, this immense reopening lives up to its grand legacy. Designed as a full-day destination, guests can explore global beauty brands across multiple existing and new concepts. Explore MECCA Perfumeria's fragrance gallery guided by scent sommeliers, head to MECCA Aesthetica for advanced clinical skin treatments, or discover luxury 90-minute hair, makeup and nail treatments at MECCA Beauty Atelier.
MECCA's Sydney flagship, George Street.
The space goes beyond beauty and wellbeing, too. Opening in late 2025, there's a 200-square-metre auditorium designed to bring staff and customers together through a year-round program of educational and inspiring events. There's also Café MECCA — a suitable spot to catch your breath after roaming the shelves. Tucked into the first floor, expect a custom-made marble counter, leather banquette seating and a stunning artwork by contemporary artist Diena Georgetti.
MECCA is also bringing purpose to its Bourke Street store, as the location will also act as a platform for MECCA M-POWER, championing gender equality through female-led design, purpose-driven events and over 20 artworks by women curated by Charlotte Day. You'll also be happy to know the store's innovative design features myriad health-first features, including air purification, mindful lighting and movement support. With more details revealed before the doors swing open in a month's time, this landmark MECCA store might just redefine retail beauty for good.
MECCA's Sydney flagship, George Street.
MECCA Bourke Street is expected to open on Friday, August 8, at 299 Bourke Street, Melbourne. Head to the website for more information.
Top image: Hugh Davies.