More than 20 new retailers set to enliven ANU in February

The transformation of Canberra’s inner city is set to get a boost early next year when the first offerings at the Lane and the Lawn in ANU’s Kambri open.

Chatime, Commonwealth Bank, Daily Market, Harry Hartog and STA Travel are among more than 23 confirmed retailers to start operating across the two precincts in February 2019.

These retailers will be opening alongside a range of new offerings, mostly cafes and restaurants.

The Lane precinct will have a “laneway vibe”, with a range of street food options – mostly Asian cuisine.

Gangnam Lane will offer Korean takeaway food, including a mix of traditional and modern fusion while Urban by Asian Tiger will serve Chinese breakfast from 8am.

Authentic Vietnamese food van What the Pho, which now resides in the Pop-Up Village, will also be opening a restaurant as part of the new development.

On the other hand, the Lawn is the new “town square”, featuring a vast lawn, amphitheatre, public seating and extensive landscaping.

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The Lawn will be home to new pub Badger and Co. in the surrounds of Sullivan’s Creek.

The pub will span 500 square metres of indoor and outdoor space and will serve as a live music venue.

Leases for the precinct were offered in March. Laing+Simmons Commercial leasing executive Chris Antos told Allhomes at the time: “The idea is to create a vibe where people can shop and also have a place for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a drink.”

“While the development includes more student accommodation and is part of the ANU campus, this development welcomes all Canberrans and provides yet more options on the Western side of the CBD,” he said.

The mixed-use development will also include 450 student dwellings and 400 underground car parking spaces.

The precinct is among a number of new retail offerings across Canberra, including nearby No Name Lane, DKSN and a $21 million redevelopment in Westfield Woden.