The Leederville-based Rohan Jewellery owner was in New York when he got an email from FJM, which restored the buildings, inviting him to look at one of the vacant retail spaces.
“I wasn’t looking at opening a store in the city,” Mr Milne, of Coolbinia, said.
“We’re a boutique business.”
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWSeveral weeks passed before the father of two decided to have a “quick look” at the space.
“I walked through in to this room here (the foyer) and was amazed, blown away; it’s got such a sense of heritage and a European feel,” Mr Milne said.
“Within a few hours, I’d organised to have the house revalued so we could secure it.”
Mr Milne said he had spent a lot of money on new products and had made “bigger, showier pieces”.
“The first thing we sold was a pair of pearl and nugget (gold) earrings,” he said. “We’ve had people come through who never would have come to Leederville.
“The level of clientele in the building is perfect for us, it’s the perfect fit.
“Everyone (in the building) feeds off each other.”
Mr Milne said as well as attracting new clients, including tourists from the adjoining COMO The Treasury hotel, clientele from the Leederville shop found it convenient drop in to the city store during work hours or on Sundays.