After 18 months boarded up, Canberra Centre's new precinct is almost ready to open - but there's no H&M; in sight.
The new section of the mall, next to David Jones, is set to become a beauty and wellness precinct due to open in mid-July.
![Canberra Centre manager Amanda Paradiso inside the new Monaro Mall precinct.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170609213224im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/m/j/p/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwm08b.png/1496959611793.jpg)
The biggest new store is Mecca Maxima, the larger version of Mecca Cosmetica which is already in Canberra Centre.
The Mecca Maxima will be a concept store, the first of its kind in Australia, with digital lookbooks, an artistry consultation bar, a trial bar for customers and exclusive colour brands.
![The Canberra Centre is currently refurbing the "The eyebrow features on the building is something linked to the past and ...](http://web.archive.org./web/20170609213224im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/m/q/8/m/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwm08b.png/1496959611793.jpg)
A new modern Japanese restaurant RAKU will also open in the coming months, facing onto Bunda Street, with head sushi chef Hao San formerly of Toko in Sydney.
Other new stores for Canberra opening in the precinct are Australian skincare brand Jurlique, aromatherapy and skincare company Perfect Potion, cosmetic brands Inglot and 3ina, and Eden Laserclinic.
A kiosk by The Floral Society, a nail salon and Passiontree Velvet Patisserie will also open in the space. The remainder of the new section will be filled with existing stores that will move to be part of the precinct - Lush, Aveda, L'Occitane, The Body Shop, Crabtree & Evelyn, and Napoleon Perdis.
The precinct has been named Monaro Mall, a nod the original name of the mall when it was opened in 1963.
![The Canberra Centre is currently refurbing the Monaro Mall area of the centre.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170609213224im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/m/q/8/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwm08b.png/1496959611793.jpg)
"The eyebrow features on the building is something linked to the past and we just wanted to return this name," said Canberra Centre manager Amanda Paradiso.
"And I think it's something people remember; a lot of oldies and parents and grandparents remember that name so it's good to continue the tradition."
![The Canberra Centre is currently refurbing the Monaro Mall area of the centre.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170609213224im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/w/m/q/8/d/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gwm08b.png/1496959611793.jpg)
The section of the mall was closed in November 2015, attracting many rumours about what was to come in its place, particularly about European retail chain H&M; which opened rural stores in Wollongong and Toowoomba.
The beauty and wellness precinct will just take over the ground floor of the mall strip, which previously housed Lincraft, Sussan and Sportsman's Warehouse.
Level one of Monaro Mall, which is will house a lifestyle and homewares precinct, due to open in October, and the underground level is yet to be confirmed.
Monaro Mall will open in mid July with a series of beauty and wellbeing masterclasses, beauty night markets and yoga sessions.
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