If you read my last blog about shopping on Orchard Rd, the new Pitt St Westfield should impress you. Be it rain or shine, the new Westfield is bringing Sydney suburbans back into the CBD on their weekends, something that has been absent of this city for quite a while.

As I wander into Jurlique, a bubbly girl greets me, ready to sell me goods. I’m quick to advise that I’m happy with my routine products, but open to discuss weekend pamper products. She soon offers me a free 15min hand treatment that I find hard to resist and it’s then that I hear first hand how this Westfield venture may change Sydney CBD.

For many years, the weekend shopping has been dispersed to Oxford St, Surry Hills and Bondi. However according to this Jurlique girl, she’s witnessed a change in culture and activity being driven back into the Sydney CBD, a place, which is usually only thriving on a Mon-Fri basis.

People are reconnecting with Sydney CBD and it’s all because of the mall’s destination. It invites people in, and offers a retreat and a place to spend a whole day in. It reminded me of the planning I witnessed at the malls in Singapore;

The entrance floor was all about the brands that excite, inspire and are the most popular for the general public that have money to spend. i.e Zara, Jurlique, Gap

The bottom floors are all about the youth, it’s young and pumping. Sometimes these spaces can feel more like a nightclub than a retail store, but go with it.

Moving up to the next two levels are the premium stores and you can immediately recognise the destination through the marble floor and ceiling treatment.

Lastly, top floor has your rewarding pleasures, vanilla macaroons at Via del corso Pasticerria, or a champagne at Sky Phoenix or if you’ve just shopped too hard, perhaps take a body massage at Skytower.

Come on Melbourne – it’s time to catch up!