The new $665m Eastland a far cry from humble origins where Myer, Safeway were anchor tenants
EMPTY carparks, fewer shops and closed on Sundays — how times have changed since this shopping centre in Melbourne’s east opened almost 50 years ago.
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AFTER years of anticipation and almost two decades of hard work, the new Eastland is just days away from opening.
The launch of the first stage of the redevelopment on October 29 marks nearly 50 years since the Ringwood shopping complex first opened in 1967, opposite Ringwood railway station on Maroondah Highway.
It first included a Myer, Safeway and 40 speciality stores and was a mere 16,500sq m.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Will you be trying out the new Eastland? Tell us below
Since then the centre has undergone massive redevelopments, including one in 1993 when almost all of the existing centre was demolished and rebuilt.
It was bought by Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) in 1996 and has since undergone further expansions to include a Big W department store and Coles.
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But no one could have predicted the buzz surrounding the current redevelopment, first mentioned 17 years ago.
QIC, Maroondah Council and the State Government finalised plans for the $665 million revamp in October, 2013 after a decade of discussions.
And now, with only days left to wait, the excitement is palpable.
“It will (bring metro Melbourne to the suburbs) and change the way people shop,” manager Steve Edgerton said.
“There’s so much anticipation around it, unlike anything really, and to see 2000 people on site working to create the same thing is quite something.”
David Jones was the first major outlet to secure its spot in 2013 and ever since, 150 boutique and high-end stores have been appearing in the centre.
This includes celebrity chefs George Calombaris and Frank Camorra’s restaurants, as well as Huxtaburger and major outlets H & M, Target and UNIQLO.
In an Australian first, the 127,000sq m centre will also include a town square and cutting-edge municipal building at the heart of the project.
It’s expected to create an extra 3300 jobs and attract 20 million visitors every year, with 3.7 million residents living within 45 minutes of the centre.
And they’ll all have high-end fashion, food and a community space on their doorstep.
“What we have is a large and powerful retail destination but ultimately, we want to establish a relationship with the visitor and provide a level of amenity they won’t have experienced before,” Mr Edgerton said.
Mayor Tony Dib praised the entire Eastland centre, and said Realm would be pivotal in positioning Melbourne’s east as “the innovation and knowledge capital”.
Stage 1 of the $665 redevelopment will open on October 29, with stage 2 tipped to open mid next year.
Mr Edgerton remained tight-lipped on what other shops would be announced, but said ultimately it would expand on “connecting the community” even further.
“We want people to come together and this development does just that,” he said.
“Whether you want to shop, or pick up a book or find somewhere to eat, it’s all here.”
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