Inside Chadstone Shopping Centre’s $660 million makeover
TRADING hours at Chadstone Shopping Centre could be extended as the mega mall balloons to the size of 10 MCGs. GET A SNEAK PEEK
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TRADING hours at Chadstone Shopping Centre could be extended as the mega mall balloons to the size of about ten MCGs.
More than 1000 builders are busy putting the finishing touches on the first phase of a $660 million redevelopment due to open on October 13.
“This will be the largest shopping centre in Australia by far, and one of the largest in the southern hemisphere,” Vicinity Centres CE0 Angus McNaughton said.
“It will be the best luxury precinct in Australia.”
The Herald Sun took a behind-the-scenes tour of a buzzing construction zone where 60 retailers have been added or relocated.
Mr McNaughton revealed shopping hours were being reviewed with a potential to stretch trade by one to two hours on some days in future.
“We are talking with retailers,” he said.
When the first section opens next month shoppers will be treated to:
NEW international flagship stores H&M and Sephora and a revamped double-storey Uniqlo.
A “WOW factor” gridshell roof with 2700 glass panes each weighing 200kg.
A DINING terrace with seven new restaurants including Neil Perry’s The Burger Project, Fonda, Woodstock Pizzicheria and Marae Izakaya.
A NEW 1300-seat food gallery.
AN upgraded Hoyts complex with 13 screens including four lux cinemas.
A SPACE-age looking mesh dome artwork with an upstairs patisserie and downstairs concierge.
A TESLA Motors dealership.
By completion mid next year, the redevelopment will feature more than 100 new and revamped stores including luxury designers Valentino, Celine and Loewe and premium international brands The Kooples, Reiss and Michael Kors.
The centre’s sales are predicted to soar to 70 per cent more than its nearest competitor.
Chadstone already attracts more than 20 million visits each year. This is forecast to increase as “experiential” shoppers make multiple trips to either grocery shop, buy clothes, eat or entertain kids.
The final piece in the jigsaw will be an Australian-first Lego discovery centre.
And with up to half a million extra people expected to be living in Chadstone’s catchment area by 2050, the centre is likely to get even bigger.
“We don’t see a natural limit to the expansion,” Mr McNaughton said.
Plans are underway for a hotel, possibly within a couple of years. More outside dining is also being discussed.