Wen family launches $16m Springwood shopping centre overhaul
This suburb is shaping up to become the southside’s gourmet mecca as part of a $16 million overhaul of a local shopping precinct announced on the weekend.
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Springwood is shaping up to become the southside’s gourmet mecca, after a $16 million overhaul of a local shopping precinct was announced on the weekend.
The centre, anchored by one of the few remaining Target stores in the southeast, will be redeveloped with a new up-market eatery overlooking a garden setting at the front.
Diners will be able to choose to sit indoors or outdoors in a cool alfresco setting, designed to rival popular eateries in Brisbane.
It is not yet known which restaurants will open at the precinct but research is being conducted to pick five or six which best reflect the needs and tastes of Springwood diners.
But it is likely the restaurants will offer a more up-market experience and fresh food options compared with the many nearby fast food outlets.
The revamp will also add an extra 94 car parks at the site, on the corner of Rochedale Rd and Fitzgerald Ave in the heart of Springwood where parking is at a premium.
Geon Property director Ben Griffin, who manages the centre, said the plans had been in the pipeline for more than seven years since the Wen Family’s Chin Hong Investments bought the complex in 2014.
The Wen family owns a $200 million retail empire across southeast Queensland, with holdings in DFO Jindalee and shopping centres at Burpengary, Morningside, Murrumba Downs, Parkwood, Sunnybank Hills and Inala.
Mr Griffin said the overhaul was the complex’s first major facelift since it was built in 1986 and would be done over two stages with the restaurant precinct set for completion in June next year.
He said there would be extra floor space for Woolworths and an added drive-through parcel pick-up but still plenty of room for the existing 42 specialty stores, Australia Post and Optus.
“It will offer customers a modern, convenient and improved place to shop with the additional car parks, easier external access, cosmetic upgrades and new travelators,” he said.
“The first stage is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.
“We are also pleased to confirm Target’s confidence in its Springwood location after 35 years, given the transformation that it is currently undergoing with some of its other locations.”
Marble-style floors will give the centre a modern feel along with internal travelators and upgraded walkways linking nearby busways.
Owners Chin Hong will also add commercial space to the centre building commercial offices on two upper mezzanine levels.
Plans unveiled on the weekend showed an increase in the floor area of 400sq m and a name change for the centre to Springwood Mall.
Mr Griffin said once the main centre work was completed, Woolworths would begin an internal store upgrade early next year but would remain open throughout.
The expansion works have coincided with the centre opening a new Kaisercraft, Mint Hair and Mobile Hut since December.
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