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Historical Sydney department store revived by great grandson

It brought high fashion to Australia, had the nation's first escalator and even a ballroom where film star Elizabeth Taylor once partied.

The Mark Foy's department store, known as The Piazza, was a Sydney landmark on Elizabeth, Liverpool and Castlereagh Streets when it opened in 1909.

The building, which still bears the famous name on the intricate exterior, is now home to the Dowling Centre, which houses the city's courts.

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Mark Foy's Department Store

But after 45 years, Mark Foy's name is back, with a website selling designer clothes, shoes and accessories officially launching next week.

Claiming it has 70 per cent off fancy names like Celine, Saint Laurent, Valentino, Missoni and Gucci, the site is being launched by the great-grandson of one of the original Foy family members.

Mark Foy is the great-grandson of Hugh Victor Foy, who was once one of Australia's wealthiest men with a mansion at Watson's Bay.

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Historical Sydney department store revived by great grandson

Hugh was once managing director of the company, which brothers Francis and Mark started.

Mark, a former estate agent in Sydney's Eastern suburbs, told Nine.com.au: "My great-grandfather completed 13 buying trips to Europe over 30 years from 1907, travelling by boat to source the very best of European fashion and bring it back to Australia at exceptional value.

"In many ways, we are continuing that same philosophy today except instead of loading ships with stock, we can now deliver luxury fashion from Europe directly to your front door."

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Mark Foy is great grandson of Hugh Victor Foy, one of Australia's wealthiest men and managing director of the company for 30 years from 1907.Mark Foy's Department Store

The company is credited with bringing European fashion down under, with the first shop opening on 1885 on Sydney's Oxford Street.

Modelled on the grand Bon Marche department store in Paris and resplendent with marble and chandeliers, the grand new building took up almost a whole block.

It even had an underground tunnel to Museum station and in 1950 an ice rink was created inside as part of a display.

Business was so strong two more shops opened nearby.

More branches later opened in Sydney suburbs and the company even had its own factories and warehouses.

It sold everything from furniture and fashion to jewellery to flowers, but later, as it fell on hard times, the company was taken over multiple times.

Latterly becoming Grace Bros, the shops finally closed in the 1980s.

Mark Foy's Department Store

Mark said Sydneysiders have fond memories of the shop which even sparked the put down 'More front than Mark Foys,' because of its mammoth size.

"People love the idea of an iconic Australian retail name being brought back in a modern way," he said.

"We've received messages from people sharing family memories like their parents met at Mark Foy's, old shopping stories and even garments connected to the brand that have been kept for decades, which has been incredibly special to see."

The older Mark Foy also opened the Hydro Majestic Hotel in the Blue Mountains.

The shop is one of many beloved stores which have been lost over the years across Australia.

Mark Foy's Department Store

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