Chadstone shopping centre $685 million upgrade approved by Stonnington Council

Melbourne’s shopping mecca is about to get even bigger with six projects and more than half a billion dollars in works to be delivered at Chadstone. Here’s what ‘The Fashion Capital’ has planned.

Chadstone plans to make $685 million of upgrades in six stages by 2025. Picture: Supplied.

Chadstone will add more than 1400 carparks, an office tower and new fresh food and entertainment precincts in a $685 million overhaul.

Stonnington councillors on Monday approved six permits for the shopping centre’s latest grand plans at its ordinary council meeting.

The proposal passed through a vote unanimously despite the centre opting to build 250 less parking spaces than requested under the council’s statutory requirements.

Owners Vicinity Centres’ plans were first floated in December and a series of public consultation sessions were held over the 10 weeks leading up to March.

Works will begin early next year and completed in six stages by mid-2025.

The first steps of the overhaul will be 853 new free carparks for shoppers near the centre’s David Jones store, on the corner of Chadstone and Dandenong roads.

Chadstone will add more than 850 more parking spaces near its David Jones store on Chadstone Rd. Picture: Supplied.

Another carpark near its Coles supermarket will get an extra 582 spots, with most to be reserved during the week for staff and workers at a nine-level office tower on Middle Rd.

The tower will reach 12 storeys and be connected to a new fresh food, wellness and co-working precinct below.

An artist's impression of the new entrance to Chadstone on Middle Rd and its office tower, which will be built by 2025. Picture: Supplied.

Other planned additions include extending the dining and entertainment precinct next to Hoyts Cinemas with leisure attractions and a bar for more than 600 guests.

The southern mall on Dandenong Rd will also gain an extra level and more floor space for luxury brands.

The total of 1422 new carparks proposed at the centre was 250 less than the council’s statutory requirement of 1672 spaces.

An artist's impression of Chadstone's new fresh food hall, which will have also have a co-working space above. Picture: Supplied.

But its traffic engineers felt there would be sufficient parking available for most of the year, and the centre’s surrounding streets were largely covered by permit zones to deter parking.

Vicinity Centres’ chief development officer Carolyn Viney said she was delighted with the council’s decision and the group looked forward to continuing its detailed planning of the projects.

Mayor Steve Stefanopoulos said the development was a significant investment and an important vote of confidence in the area’s economic future following the coronavirus outbreak.

Construction is estimated at $380 million but Vicinity Centres has forecast a total project cost of $685 million once the final stage is completed in 2025.

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