Tiffany's to open store in Auckland

Tiffany's first New Zealand store is set to open late 2016 in the ground floor of Australis House at 36-38 Customs Street East. Photo / iStock.

International brand Tiffany & Co. says it will bring a new level of luxury jewellery to Auckland when it opens late next year, selling items by renowned designer Paloma Picasso and others.

Glen Schlehuber, Tiffany's Australian vice present and managing director, said the business would open late 2016 in the ground floor of Australis House at 36-38 Customs Street East.

A spokesperson for property investment business Cooper and Company said that space had been leased to furniture and hardware store Citta and BoConcepts which had since left. A major refurbishment is now under way, ready for Tiffany.

Mr Schlehuber said Tiffany would occupy 430sq m, the entire ground floor of the historic building.

"The new store will house a large selection of iconic Tiffany collections, such as diamond engagement rings for which Tiffany is renowned around the world, as well as fine, gold and sterling silver jewellery. In addition, it will feature the acclaimed creations of exclusive Tiffany designers Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso and Jean Schlumberger, as well as signature collections such as Tiffany T and Tiffany Atlas, watches, gifts and leather accessories," Mr Schlehuber said.

Some items would sell for a few hundred dollars but "the sky is the limit" for others, he said.

"New Zealand is a market that we have been visiting for many years; we have very loyal New Zealand clientele who shop with us in Australia, so it was really a matter of finding the right location and environment for our brand," he said. "We truly believe in the New Zealand market and as such we have entered into a long term lease with Cooper and Company."

Jeremy Priddy Cooper's sales and leasing director, welcomed the new tenant.

"The site is one of the largest in the precinct so we wanted to make sure we found the right retailer to fill it. Tiffany & Co. is a very worthy occupier," he said.

Chris Dibble of Colliers International announced on Monday that Tiffany had leased space, along with Chanel, both going into the Britomart. The new tenants join Louis Vuitton, Prada, Christian Dior and Gucci, all in Queen St near the waterfront, he said.