Prospect shopping centre to be demolished and replaced, with larger Foodland supermarket

A RUNDOWN shopping mall on Prospect Rd will be razed and replaced with a two-storey supermarket, retail and carpark complex.

An artist’s impression of the redevelopment at 85 Prospect Rd. Source: Prospect Council

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A RUNDOWN Prospect shopping mall will be razed and replaced with a two-storey supermarket, retail and carpark complex.

Longtime landowner George Velentzas has been granted approval to demolish the Foodland supermarket and eight shops at 85 Prospect Rd.

In its place will be a new 1380sq m Foodland, shops and 84 carpark spaces, costing $5.5-$6 million.

Mr Velentzas said the upgrade, which would more than double the size of the ageing Foodland store, was recognition that a “little supermarket and shopping mall” was no longer a viable retail model.

What the site looks like now.

“Basically, in a nutshell, the Foodland is too small and the tenant has been there for a long time and it’s time for us to look after them,” Mr Velentzas told The City.

“It just was not viable.”

Mr Velentzas expected a 12-month construction period to start in early 2019, after Prospect Council’s planning authority approved the proposal at last month’s meeting.

Terry White Chemist had committed to lease a space in the new building., although the other shops will be forced out.

How the development will look at night. Source: Prospect Council

Mr Velentzas said he was leaving the option open to expand the complex to four storeys, including apartments or offices, to meet any future demand.

“We have been here since 1983 and there is a real buzz around the place,” he said.

“The general vibe that I am getting is that Prospect Rd is like Norwood Parade was 15-20 years ago.”

Prospect Mayor David O’Loughlin said the project would be a real “shot in the arm for the community”.

“It is a strong vote of confidence in what we are doing on Prospect Rd,” Mr O’Loughlin said.

“A big part of the next phase of the Village Heart is to have more people there during the day.”