The former Coles supermarket at 277 Barker Road, Subiaco, remains without a retail tenant almost nine years after the supermarket relocated to new premises on Station Street in 2017.

The 3,177-square-metre property was purchased by Pinstripe Holdings, associated with neighbouring supermarket operator Farmer Jack's, for $15.5 million in 2020 following a sales campaign that attracted approximately 80 inquiries and multiple offers.

Despite its prominent location in central Subiaco, attempts to introduce temporary community, cultural and commercial activities have been unsuccessful.

Joel Benichou, co-director of property activation organisation SPACEMRKT and director of architectural practice Archive Office, said the property had been identified as a priority when his organisation was commissioned by the City of Subiaco to investigate opportunities to activate vacant buildings.

Benichou said he had approached Pinstripe Holdings director Fred Fairthorne on several occasions with proposals for temporary and longer-term uses.

Suggestions included a food venue featuring produce from Farmer Jack's and local suppliers, along with an arts and cultural centre.

However, the property owner declined the proposals, with Benichou stating that his most recent approach had been made approximately two months earlier.

SPACEMRKT was subsequently considering a public campaign involving projected artwork and messages on the building to draw attention to its continued lack of public-facing activity.

Subiaco mayor David McMullen confirmed that the City supported finding new uses for the property but acknowledged that decisions ultimately rested with its private owners.

The City had previously discussed redevelopment and temporary activation opportunities with both current and former owners.

In 2023, the council undertook community consultation on a draft Coles and Crossways precinct local development plan, receiving approximately 300 submissions and other contributions.

However, the draft plan did not progress to public advertising, and no further updates had been announced.

Fairthorne explained that redevelopment plans for both the Crossways shopping centre and the Barker Road property had been delayed because agreement could not be reached among stakeholders, particularly concerning strata ownership arrangements.

He maintained that the former supermarket building was not entirely unused, as it was operating as a warehouse supporting refurbishment works across the company's Western Australian supermarket network.

Fairthorne also said 109 rooftop and ground-level parking bays had been made available for public use through an agreement with the City of Subiaco.

He confirmed that the company remained committed to future redevelopment and further activation once the outstanding Crossways strata matters were resolved.

As of October 2026, no confirmed redevelopment timetable had been announced for 277 Barker Road.