Chadstone Shopping Centre expansion opens

FASHION and beauty lovers queued from 3am to get the first glimpse inside the opening of the first stage of the $660m redevelopment of Chadstone, the biggest centre in the southern hemisphere.

HUNDREDS of fashion and beauty lovers queued from 3am to get the first glimpse inside the opening of the first stage of the $660 million redevelopment of Chadstone.

More than 60 new retail stores, two new dining precincts and a new state-of-the-art Hoyts cinema complex opened their doors this morning as part of the first and most significant phase of development.

Carrie Bickmore hosted the VIP opening as fashion fans waited anxiously to enter their favorite retailers.

“Let’s be honest, who doesn’t love to shop,” she says.

Des Patsouvas was one of the first to arrive at the centre at 3am with her 17-year-old daughter Maree.

“I can’t wait to see the new Mecca store and meet Chloe Morello (beauty blogger),” Maree says.

Crisi August arrived at 5.45am to be the first in line for the new H&M store.

“We wanted to be number one in line. It’s been fun queuing up, we’ve made friends who are waiting too,” she says.

At completion of the development in mid-2017, Chadstone will feature close to 600 retailers including some of the world’s most iconic luxury designer stores, premium international retailers, an exciting collection of flagships, a range of general retail offerings, two new dining precincts and Australia’s only Legoland Discovery Centre.

Valda Stancliffe was one of the first women to work in the newly built Chadstone shopping centre 59 years ago.

The former Myer buyer recalls seeing the space set aside for Australia’s first shopping centre before construction even began.

“I remember seeing the area as a big paddock before they even started building it. It’s hard to picture when you look at it now,” she says.

Mrs Stancliffe and footy WAG Britt Davis got a sneak peek at the first phase of the redevelopment at the centre last Thursday.

New Chadstone expansion opens its doors. Picture: Hamish Blair

Carrie Bickmore opens the expansion. Picture: Hamish Blair

Davis, partner of Geelong captain Joel Selwood, began shopping at the centre as a little girl with her mother and has worked in the Manning Cartel store for the past four years.

“Mum used to bring me to Chadstone every Thursday or Friday, it was our outing for the week,” she says.

“In my teens, I used to come to Chadstone with my sister and mum for a shop. I started working at Manning Cartel in the centre about four years ago, and still work here.”

The new development has been under construction for more than two years.

“Seeing the centre evolve over the years has been incredible, and it’s only going to get so much better. Chadstone is about to blow everyone out of the water. Living in Geelong now, I know I can come to Chadstone and everything will be here in the one place,” Davis says.

Mrs Standcliffe has continued to shop at the centre over the decades and is excited about the development.

New generation shopper Britt Davis with one of Chadstone's original shoppers, 80-year-old Valda Stancliffe. Picture: Alex Coppel

Chadstone is the biggest shopping centre in Australia.

The centre dominates the suburbs.

“It’s mind boggling, the new part is going to be brilliant,” she says.

To celebrate the milestone, customers are being treated to more than 200 offers across the launch weekend, from today to Sunday.

Launch day also sees the reveal of the Chadstone Tailor Made Store, a pop up concept space offering a bespoke experience for winners of an in-centre competition, taking place today and Friday.

The store will offer a truly ‘Tailor Made’ experience, curating products that customers will personally love from retailers throughout the centre.

Special offers include:

Uniqlo will unveil a Japanese-inspired flower wall installation, crafted solely from its current season, and give customers a chance at more than 1000 prize offers.

H&M celebrates its launch with live music in-store and providing the first 100 fans to the store a gift bag valued at more than $100.

Sephora will have in-store DJs and entertainment and offer the first 1000 customers to enter with the ultimate big beauty goody bag.

Mecca Maxima A Mecca Maxima tree will come to life outside the store over the four days, blossoming with more than $150,000 worth of prizes to give away for customers who spend $65 or more.