More Marrickville Metro shops at warehouse

Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre’s $142 million expansion is under way as workers go about preparing for an additional 44 shops and Coles supermarket. See the video and artist impressions of what it will look like.

• Marrickville Metro to expand

Marrickville Metro Shopping Centre’s $142 million expansion is under way as workers go about preparing for an additional 44 shops and Coles supermarket.

Centre manager AMP Capital has ordered preparations to begin at the neighbouring disused warehouse between Smidmore St and Edinburgh Rd.

The building will provide two levels of shops, and retain its warehouse facade.

An artist’s impression of how the neighbouring sites at Smidmore St will look.

Many of the these shops will be food ones, including indoor and outdoor dining.

A pedestrian bridge will help shoppers move between the two sites.

The existing centre at Victoria Rd has Aldi, Kmart, Woolworths and 109 shops.

The works will also provide more parking. There will be 455 more spaces, and a total of 1473.

Another artist’s view of Smidmore St.

Centre owner UniSuper gained approval for changes to its plans late last year.

This includes adding a level to the existing centre.

However a spokeswoman said this was a longer term opportunity and was not being pursued at the moment.

UniSuper also flagged introducing a three hour limit for free parking, consistent with many centres.

However, Inner West Council staff have concerns this could prompt workers to park in surrounding streets.

The timed parking issue is still to be resolved.

The expansion works will take 20 months.

The centre will continue trading during the redevelopment.