Iconic Store Building

The former Newcastle and Suburban Co-operative Society Limited represented an iconic central hub for people in and around Newcastle for an impressive 83 years and was affectionately called The Store.

At its peak in 1974, The Store employed 1450 people, had 98,000 members and was the biggest and most successful co-operative society in Australia. The Store site was purchased in 2015 by NSW Government to secure the future potential of the area in becoming a major infrastructure, commercial and residential space to bring life and substance back to the Newcastle West precinct.

Following the completion of the Newcastle Interchange, in 2021, the major redevelopment continued on The Store site with the construction of a new 6 storey commercial building and car park by Canberra based building design company, BLOC, adjacent to the Interchange.

BLOC chose Hi-Vis Group to deliver on the complex signage manufacture and installation project ensuring the quality and integrity of the build was to the exacting standards of the new building owners, DOMA Group and new tenants, NSW Government departments, Transport for NSW and Planning Industry & Environment.

Hi-Vis Group were able to supply all signage components from their Carrington facility including:

• acrylic/metal lettering & door signs
• decorative window & privacy films
• directory pylons
• braille door signs
• sliding ‘In Use’ signs for dishwashers & equipment
• hundreds of decals for kitchens & lockers
• regulatory signage
• car space indicators

BLOC Director, Maurizio Rosin said “The team at Hi-Vis delivered a detailed manufacture and installation signage package for the Store Commercial building located at 6 Stewart Avenue Newcastle. From procurement, through the shop drawing phase into manufacture and installation the experience was seamless and completed in a timely manner.”

“The quality of installation is of high level and the after sales service has been exemplary. I will have no hesitation is dealing with the Hi-Vis team for future projects.”

Working with Hi-Vis Group, ensured all BLOC’s signage requirements could be handled with the one company.  The close proximity of the Carrington based facility also proved to be advantageous for BLOC to visit on site to view signage in production and to address any variations with an easily accessible installation crew to install all required items quickly and efficiently.

Simon Watson, Chief Operations Officer commented on the project,

“We’re very proud of the work we completed on The Store building.  Our capability is clearly demonstrated in being able to provide BLOC with all the types of signage required in a brand new building from car spaces, directional & wayfinding signage, building & entry signage, braille & acrylic lettering to wall and window graphics.  The Hi-Vis Group was able to work with the architects to bring their ideas to life, and since they were able to source everything from us, it made things easier for their project teams.”