Helicopter lands in Burnside Village carpark as major expansion continues

The quiet of a Sunday morning in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs was interrupted when a helicopter unexpectedly landed in the carpark of Burnside Village.

The quiet of a Sunday morning in Adelaide’s eastern suburbs was interrupted when a helicopter unexpectedly landed in the carpark of a major shopping centre.

The chopper was spotted double parked in the Burnside Village carpark just after 7am, with workers in high visibility gear seen nearby.

But it seems it wasn’t a celebrity trying to dodge the crowds to do a spot of shopping on the quiet, at one of the many designer shops in the centre.

It is believed the chopper was there to lift an object – believed to an airconditioning unit – off the roof of the shopping centre, which is undergoing a major expansion.

A helicopter landed at Burnside Village just after 7am Sunday. Picture: Supplied

An early-bird gym-goer said he didn’t know what was going on when he heard the copter’s engine.

“It sounded like a storm had suddenly whipped up. When I left I saw the chopper in the carpark,” he said.

“There was a group of men in hi-vis vest hanging around near the chopper.

“I later heard it flying off.”

Construction of the project, which will see the footprint of the centre doubled to 38,850sq m, including an additional 80 stores, kicked off in May when the first crane arrived to begin construction.

There will also be more than 560 free undercover parks, as well as e-vehicle charging facilities, added in the project.

Artist's impression of Burnside Village expansion. Picture: Supplied by Burnside Village

Cohen Group chief executive Gregg Downer said the multimillion investment represented the largest private sector retail property expansion in South Australia, and reflected the family’s confidence in the state’s economy.

“We’re excited to be bringing a new, unrivalled customer destination shopping experience to South Australia which aims to attract visitors from across metropolitan Adelaide, interstate and overseas,” he said last week

“The investment being made by the Cohen Group underscores the company’s commitment to South Australia and supporting the growth and development of the state.”

Excavators arrived on site last October after a two and a half year delay caused by Covid-19.

The new shopping centre is expected to open in March 2025.