New images reveal first look inside planned $327m Chatswood Chase redevelopment
New plans have been released for a major redevelopment of Chatswood Chase with the project set to include a “sunken oasis” dining plaza, seven screen cinema and two new levels of shops.
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New plans have been released for a major redevelopment of Chatswood Chase with the shopping complex set to include two new levels of shops, a seven screen cinema and “sunken oasis” dining plaza.
An updated proposal for the $327 million development show the expanded retail hub would also have longer trading hours, health and fitness facilities, co-working offices and a “new department store” on the upper floors.
Centre operator Vicinity said the project was aimed at addressing existing “constraints” at the complex including an “inefficient mall layout” and a “lack of modern casual dining” areas.
Concept images show the redevelopment would include a third floor “sunken oasis” plaza with outdoor dining areas, vertical gardens, pergolas, and room for an entertainment stage.
There would also be a seven screen cinema with “premium theatres” on the third and floor floors and a six level carpark with spaces for 2809 cars at the north of the site.
If approved, the project would be the first major upgrade of the shopping hub since 2009 and would take the amount of retail space to 88,203 sqm — up from the existing 63,715 sqm.
The plans come amid a surge of other retail development projects across Sydney’s north including a new Woolworths at Lower Gibbes St in Chatswood East due to open by 2021, a new Coles and Aldi in the Rosenthal development due to open in Lane Cove by 2020 and the proposed 88 by JQZ mixed retail development in St Leonards.
There are also planned upgrades at Warringah Mall for 35 new food shops and a “major retail tenant”, Forestway Shopping Centre for 12,000 sqm of new retail space and a new four storey retail hub at the Macquarie Centre.
Vicinity Centre said the redevelopment of Chatswood Chase had the potential to increase the centre’s turnover to $812 million by 2021, up from $544 million in the last 12 months.
The plans state the project was designed to accommodate rising population and retail activity in the local area.
Vicinity said the recently opened Metro line had potential to attract new shoppers from the city’s north west, along with potential further growth when the transport line is extended to Bankstown by 2024.
Chatswood currently has the fifth busiest train station in Sydney with 23,000 barrier counts a day — behind Central, Parramatta, North Sydney and Redfern.
The suburb also measures as the city’s sixth largest hub for office space with 21,000 workers, while the growth in new apartments has resulted in the local population rising to 11,000 people.
The redevelopment, however, has not been without critics with nearby residents raising concerns about increased traffic congestion and noise.
Mercy Catholic College, located nearby, has also objected to construction vehicles and trucks passing the school gates during construction phases.
Plans state approximately 50 trucks measuring up to 18m long would make 100 trips each day to the centre during peak construction periods.
The documents stated site managers would work with neighbouring businesses and residents to “minimise disruption” with traffic control systems implemented in surrounding streets.
The plans have been lodged to Willoughby Council and are expected to be determined by the Sydney North Planning Panel.
If approved, construction works would be carried out by up to 350 workers from 7am to 5pm on Monday to Friday and 7am to 3pm on Saturday.
The expanded centre would have a total of 2809 carparks for cars and 428 for bikes/motorcycles.
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