Castle Towers: QIC’s fresh plans for shopping mall development, Castle Hill

The Hills’ largest shopping centre could soon receive a massive revamp after fresh plans were lodged. Get your first look at the proposal here.

A Hills shopping centre could soon be transformed into one of Australia’s largest malls.

Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) have lodged fresh redevelopment plans, valued at $141 million, for Castle Towers shopping centre.

Castle Towers, originally built in 1979, is one of the top-performing malls in Australia, with an annual turnover of $670 million.

Artist impression of greenery at Castle Towers.

In a statement to The Hills Shire Times, Castle Towers general manager Agata Rynkiewicz said the redevelopment would be confined to three floors of the centre, between the main atrium, the piazza and Event Cinemas.

If approved, the redeveloped Castle Towers would include new shops in an area referred to as “zone three”, while some existing retail spaces would be removed.

Aerial view depicting the two development areas: “zone two” (in green) and “zone three” (in blue).

On zone three’s first level, one large shop and five boutiques would be added.

Level two would see seven boutique retailers removed and the addition four large stores, as well as two kiosks.

On level three, the food court would be removed and replaced with three new large shops.

There would also be an expanded public domain, featuring plants and greenery.

Indoor plans would also feature inside the shopping centre.

The developer’s plans depict the proposed redevelopment as a much-needed renewal, which would help Castle Towers compete with other major shopping centres across Sydney.

“(The proposed development will) deliver significant social, cultural and economic benefits for the community,” planning documents state.

Ms Rynkiewicz said there was a long way to go before the plans became reality.

“While this is an exciting time for the centre, it is still very early in the planning stages, and there are a number of important milestones to achieve before we can determine the full scope, specific timings and retail mix,” Ms Rynkiewicz said.

Artist impression of Castle Towers’ exterior.

“(The) proposed development outlined in the development application is still subject to council and board approvals.

“(But it does form) form an important part of our long-term masterplan which aims to position Castle Towers for the future”.

The shopping centre is located at the intersection of several major roads — Showground Rd, Old Northern Rd and Castle Hill Rd.

The initial plans for the expansion of Castle Towers were approved in September 2016. The Sydney Central Planning Panel will determine this development proposal in the coming months.