Plans unveiled for $150m retail and cinema complex that would transform Unley Road

Plans for a $150m apartment, entertainment and retail hub in Unley have been unveiled, including what would become the tallest building on Unley Road.

An artist's impression of the $150m Unley Central development proposed for Unley Road.

The heart of Unley would be transformed under a $150m plan to develop apartments, a cinema, offices, shops and cafes on a major site in the town centre.

To be known as Unley Central, the development will replace the current Target store on Unley Road, as well as an adjoining car park and the BarZaar bistro and function centre.

A nine-storey tower will accommodate around 50 apartments above the main retail, office and dining hub on Unley Road, while up to 80 apartments will feature in a second nine-storey building on Arthur Street.

The Unley Road building would become the tallest on the strip.

Local developer Catcorp will oversee the development on behalf of local businessman Patrick Ho, who owns the Target site and will retain ownership of the retail, office and entertainment complex.

The Unley Central development as seen from Arthur Street.

The development would replace the current Target store and some neighbouring dining venues. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The Unley Council will sell the BarZaar site and car park – currently leased to Sturt Football Club – to Mr Ho as part of a development agreement between the parties.

Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson said Unley Central would become one of Adelaide’s premier retail, entertainment and residential destinations.

“Unley Central supports our goal to develop the Unley town centre to make it the city fringe retail and entertainment destination that it should be,” he said.

“All the while, we will do it in a way that respects the character and heritage of wider Unley. I am confident our community will welcome having entertainment facilities in Unley, a bigger and more competitive shopping centre, a greater diversity of shops and an increase in places to eat out.”

Catcorp managing director Anthony Catinari, Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson and property owner Patrick Ho in front of the Target development site. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson shows how the plans would transform an area currently used as an open-air car park. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

The project is the first major development proposed for the Unley Central precinct since a development plan amendment (DPA) for the area was signed off in 2017, allowing for development of up to nine storeys.

More than 500 basement and aboveground car parks will be made available, including around 90 for residents, while around 50 new trees will more than double tree canopy coverage on the site, Mr Hewitson said.

Catcorp managing director Anthony Catinari said a cinema operator, medical services providers and hospitality tenants had already been secured for the project, which would create more than 1000 full‐time jobs during construction and more than 300 ongoing jobs.

Talks are also ongoing with existing tenants including Target about opportunities to reopen in the new development, while national and international retailers, a wellness centre, supermarket and flexible offices are also planned for the precinct.

“As a proud Unley local, I want to help create something of value in my community,” Mr Catinari said.

“We didn’t want to create another square box, so that’s why we’ve used a bit of European design to create something a little bit different.

“There’s a boulevard feel with all the arches at the front and then it sets back within to encourage outdoor dining.”

A mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments will feature across the two buildings, with prices expected to range from less than $400,000 for a one-bedroom apartment on Arthur Street to around $2m for a premium apartment on Unley Road.

Mr Ho, who has owned the Target site for more than 20 years, said the DPA in 2017 had opened up new opportunities for development in the centre of Unley.

“We’ve spent a number of years on this,” he said.

“Unley Central will be a magnet for young and old to make the most of life in Unley. It is a landmark development that literally will take Unley to new levels.”

At a meeting on Monday night, the Unley Council endorsed the project, which will be submitted for planning approval with the State Commission Assessment Panel early in the new year.

Construction is expected to begin in 2022 and take two years to complete.