Arms of Eve

The Armadale store is the fourth project delivered through the collaboration between Arms of Eve, designer Maple Brown, and Storepro, and the first in Melbourne. Following the brand’s first high street expression at Bondi Beach, Armadale represents the first translation of the evolved brand concept into a Melbourne high street context.

High Street Armadale is one of Melbourne’s fastest-growing retail strips. Over the past decade the precinct has undergone a quiet but deliberate transformation, drawing independent fashion, jewellery, and lifestyle retailers that have collectively shifted its positioning from neighbourhood shopping strip to serious retail destination. The customer here is considered and brand literate. They live locally or make the trip intentionally, arriving with a clear sense of what they value and an expectation that the stores they shop will meet that standard. For Arms of Eve, a brand built on considered design and genuine craft, Armadale is a natural fit.

The tenancy sits within a heritage building on the strip, and the site brought with it significant complexity. The previous tenant had occupied the space for approximately 25 years. Subfloor remediation was required across key areas, load bearing walls were removed, and heritage components had to be carefully extracted without impacting the building’s structural integrity. Every scope item was executed within strict heritage compliance requirements.

The shopfront had deteriorated, and restoring it to its original standard required careful craftsmanship and precise attention, especially regarding the original hertiage tiles which were maintained. For a strip where streetfront presentation carries real weight, getting the exterior right was not incidental to the project. The restored façade now reflects both the integrity of the building and the standard of the brand it houses.

Internally, the construction of curved walls was central to realising Arms of Eve and Maple Brown Design’s collective vision. Achieving that geometry within an existing heritage structure, modified over decades, required close coordination between the construction and design teams throughout the entire build. The result is an interior that holds the warmth and materiality of the Arms of Eve brand while responding directly to the character and proportions of the building itself.

From the designer:

The Arms of Eve flagship store marks the brand’s first Melbourne presence. Located on High Street, Armadale, premier retail strip known for its luxury boutique shopping, set within a collection of heritage buildings. The project responds to both the prestige of its address and the opportunity to establish a strong flagship identity.

Working within an existing building with split levels, the design carefully resolves a complex spatial layout into a cohesive and intuitive retail experience. Organic shapes and forms were introduced to soften the structure, creating a warm and elevated environment aligned with the brand.

A sculptural curved staircase forms the centrepiece of the store, elegantly connecting the levels while enhancing flow and visual continuity. This language extends throughout, with curved change rooms and bespoke joinery reinforcing a consistent, immersive design approach.

The result is a refined flagship space that balances heritage context with contemporary expression, delivering a distinctive and inviting retail experience for Arms of Eve in Melbourne.