$200m revamp set for Adelaide shopping centre that has global brands in its sights
IT’S been talked about for years but plans to revamp an Adelaide shopping centre to the tune of $200m are finally set to become a reality — and it’s likely we’ll see global fashion outlets not now available in SA.
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THE owner of Westfield Tea Tree Plaza has committed to spending at least $200 million on redeveloping the shopping centre after a decade of delays — and the vision is to offer contemporary, modern shopping.
Speaking at the opening of a new fresh food mall at Westfield Marion on Wednesday, centre group chief operating officer Greg Miles said work would start at Tea Tree Plaza in 2018 as part of a $500 million investment across the state.
The major redevelopments will focus on fashion, particularly attracting “mini-majors” such as H&M and Uniqlo not now available in Adelaide.
“We’d like to make it (Tea Tree Plaza) a bit more modern and contemporary building,” Mr Miles said.
As well as 95 new shops, the upgrade will connect the main shopping centre with Tea Tree Plus mall, which is north of the main centre and separate.
A new two-storey car park will also be added.
Mr Miles said there were businesses that had established themselves interstate that were now looking to come to Adelaide.
“The space isn’t readily available and will need to be created,” he said.
Overall, the developments could create up to 2600 jobs during construction, which Premier Jay Weatherill said was welcome news in a tough economy.
“This proves there is real resilience in the South Australian economy and people are prepared to invest in South Australia because they understand there is a growing future,” Mr Weatherill said.
The long-awaited Tea Tree Plaza redevelopment was first approved in 2006 but was delayed because of the global financial crisis.
Tea Tree Gully Council granted the shopping centre’s owners a planning approval extension if work started before the end of June this year.
Separate interior upgrades to the mall are already underway and started before the construction approval deadline.
The shopping centre was opened in 1970 to much fanfare as it was to be home to Adelaide’s first Myer store.
It was marketed in the Leader Messenger at the time as the first shopping centre in Australia with a travelator.