A new $220m entertainment and shopping hub for Adelaide’s north is on its way, says the developer

THE developer behind a $220 million entertainment and shopping complex in Adelaide’s north says the start of work is just months away. Here’s what to expect in the new fun zone.

Kings Road Youth Hub, Wave Machine. - Artists Impression- Images sourced from public access PDF file. Picture: Sam Wundke

THE developer behind a $220 million entertainment and shopping complex in Salisbury South expects construction to start in the middle of this year, creating thousands of jobs.

APEX Property Solutions director Ian Brackenridge this week released more details about the much-anticipated Kings Point Shopping and Entertainment Centre, including plans for a virtual reality attraction where people can battle aliens in digital worlds.

Mr Brackenridge said the company had secured lease agreements with about 20 retailers, including Cafe Primo, Cotton On, Jeanswest and Flight Centre.

He has also secured deals with iFLY Indoor Skydiving, Hoyts Cinemas, Kingpin Indoor Bowling, Bounce Indoor Trampolines and The Beachouse, which already runs an amusement centre at Glenelg.

He said construction would take about 18 months, subject to development approval from Salisbury Council.

There are plans for a Kingpin indoor bowling venue.

Among the attractions would be “The Void”, a virtual reality experience where people use headsets and body tracking systems to recreate battlefields, spaceships, city centres, military aircraft, ancient tombs, mountain peaks and fantasy lands.

An indoor skydiving feature is planned.

“Kings Point will be a significant addition to the overall attraction of Adelaide as a shopping and entertainment destination,” Mr Brackenridge said.

“The opportunity to create something of tremendous value, not only for Salisbury, but for South Australia, and in particular the entertainment attractions for the community, is what excites me.”

The State Government approved plans to rezone a 20ha site at the corner of Kings and Main North roads to make way for the centre in December 2014.

Bounce Indoor Trampolines is expected to set up an outlet.

Mr Brackenridge said the development would employ nearly 5000 workers — about 3000 during construction and about 1900 fulltime and casual jobs once complete — which was up from the original estimate of about 1600 positions.

He said the project would help ease the job losses at Holden’s Elizabeth plant when it closes next year.

“With the highest jobless rate in 15 years and the pending closure of automotive manufacturing, SA is faced with significant challenges in creating employment opportunities,” he said.

“Kings Point will create a substantial number of new jobs not only during the construction phase, but also permanent employment positions as a result of the proposed uses.”

There will be bowling fun.

The project was initially a joint venture between APEX and developer Commercial and General.

However, Mr Brackenridge said Commercial and General had pulled out of the plans, choosing to focus on other areas of its business such as the West Lakes housing development at Football Park.

Commercial and General did not respond to calls this week.

Mr Brackenridge said he was looking forward to working with national and international businesses to create a “a truly exciting” entertainment precinct.

A virtual reality attraction where people can battle aliens in digital worlds is planned.

Other attractions planned at the centre include an indoor skydiving simulator, bowling, arcade games, luxury cinema, giant indoor trampoline, HD golf simulator, go karts and a fitness centre.

It will also feature a $10 million “Beachouse-style” development, which will include a water park, replica beach and the state’s first “wave rider”, which allows people to surf indoors.

Other retailers include Rubi Shoes, Lovisa, Katies, Crossroads, City Chic, Supre, Factorie, Sportspower, Rivers, Millers, Typo, Essential Beauty, Priceline Pharmacy and Boost Juice.

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