The City of Subiaco is partnering with SPACEMRKT to transform vacant spaces into vibrant, creative hubs.
While Subiaco’s vacancy rate for commercial property has fallen, the City is proactively finding ways to activate empty storefronts and give local creatives an opportunity to showcase their work.
SPACEMRKT is an urban-renewal organisation that revitalises communities with vibrancy and innovation.
The team establishes connections between artists, creative professionals, small businesses, and not-for-profits with property owners and developers eager to maximise the potential of under-utilised spaces.
Together with visionary commercial organisations, they transform vacant properties into lively hubs that foster creativity and growth, enhancing sustainability and liveability of areas.
City of Subiaco Mayor David McMullen said: “Subiaco is seeing an influx of new businesses, and commercial vacancies are falling. But inevitably there will always still be some degree of business turnover, and ever-evolving economic conditions, which leads to spaces being vacant or under-utilised.
“We’ve previously supported a pop-up gallery to takeover an empty storefront and it was a huge success. I have no doubt that through this partnership with SPACEMRKT we are going to see some more vacant spaces transform before our eyes.
“This will showcase the work of some very talented creatives, bring additional vibrancy to Subi, and demonstrate the benefits of setting up shop in our bustling City.”
SPACMRKT Director Joel Benichou said: “Subiaco has been undergoing a well-known revival, and we are aiming to build on that by bringing activation and vibrancy to any remaining empty shopfronts. Through these creative insertions, we will not only enhance the area's appeal and increase foot traffic but also increase the desirability of the spaces we activate.
“We’ll be bringing in a number of creatives over a 12-month period to multiple central locations, so we’re keen to hear from you if you have a creative idea for a new business, a gallery, an immersive play space or a shop window installation art piece – we’re open to ideas and ready to transform these key empty shopfronts into something really special.”
SPACEMRKT’s first activation will be taking over the empty shopfront at 83 Rokeby Road with another to follow on Hay Street in the coming months.
Pictured above: Subiaco Mayor David McMullen and SPACEMRKT Director Joel Benichou