Westfield Knox upgrade: Basketball court part of $355 million redevelopment

Shoppers will be able to shoot hoops after a spot of retail therapy under a $355 million plan to transform a tired shopping centre in Melbourne's east.

A full size professional basketball court will be part of Westfield Knox’s $355 million redevelopment, as work progresses on giving the tired centre a much-needed upgrade.

The new NBL specified outdoor court, now under construction, will be located near the new northern entry of the centre near the former Myer store, and will also feature a 90-person grandstand and large scoreboard.

The court will be open to members of the community and the Knox Basketball Association, with junior teams set to use it for training, competition games and school holiday clinics.

Scentre Group regional manager centre experience Michelle Clarkson said the decision to include the court in the redevelopment came after feedback from the community.

“Melburnians are sport-mad and in chatting to the community what they’ve told us is (Knox) is basketball heartland,” Ms Clarkson said.

Shoppers will soon be able to stop and shoot hoops at Westfield Knox.

A new Knox Library will overlook the court, along with a new retail precinct.

Construction work on the redevelopment is well underway at the centre, with a new Aldi, Woolworths and fresh food market set to open on Level 1 by the end of the year.

The 2000sq m library and fashion, beauty, lifestyle and homeware stores will open on Level 2 in 2023, along with the new basketball court and a 1700sq m multipurpose community space.

The new development will be at the end of the centre where the former Myer store used to be – just the shell of that building remains.

Rebel Sport and JB Hi-Fi will relocate into the new precinct – Ms Clarkson said Rebel will open the largest concept store in Victoria, adjacent to the new basketball court.

“Which is a match made in sports-loving heaven,” she said.

JB-Hi Fi will also open a larger format store.

MacPac, which sells outdoor equipment, will also be opening in the same precinct with more new retailers to be announced soon.

“We’ve got so many exciting retailers and much-loved favourites that will be returning to the centre and we will be able to give more information on those in the coming months,” Ms Clarkson said.

The first stage of the redevelopment will open later this year.

The larger of the two Coles stores in the centre will also be upgraded.

It’s not clear if both Coles stores will continue to operate in the future.

Work is also underway to upgrade existing amenities, with new floors, a new roof and timber skylights on the way. Mature trees will also be introduced, along with more seating areas.

New gender-neutral bathrooms, changing places facilities (accessible bathrooms), a calm room and regularly scheduled ‘quiet hour’ events are also coming to the centre.

Ms Clarkson did not comment on the future of the food court, which is home to a number of empty shops including the former McDonald’s, but said new food catering concept stores would open as part of the centre’s fresh food precinct.

Ms Clarkson also did not say if paid parking would be introduced at the centre once the redevelopment was complete.

“We’re doing work in the carpark to enhance the customer experience and making sure it’s as convenient as possible for our customers to come into the centre and enjoy the new shopping experience.”

The upgrade includes a new Aldi, Woolworths and fresh food precinct.

Ms Clarkson said Westfield could not be more excited about the redevelopment.

“In listening to our customers and them telling us what they really need and want, we’ve really been able to reimagine what this living centre will be and what it can deliver to our community,” she said.

“We’ve been able to create something that will really deliver for them not only now but into the future.

“We’re located at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges and people tell us they purposely choose to live in this area because of the beautiful surrounds.

“So we’ve taken that theme and brought the outdoors indoors to be a true reflection of the community in which we sit.”