Plans include 1,400 additional car spaces across two car parks (David Jones and Coles parking areas); a new 9-storey 20,000sqm commercial office building on Middle Road; expansion of the current dining terrace and leisure precinct; an upgraded fresh food precinct focusing on workplace, wellness and lifestyle retailers; as well as further expansion to its luxury mall section. These projects “refresh and repurpose [the] existing space” while maintaining the current boundaries.
The dining and leisure precinct expansion will add approximately 4,000sqm of new entertainment and dining space while the expansion of the luxury section will add 1,100sqm of new retail space. At approximately $340m, the largest project will add 16,800sqm to the fresh food and wellness section. This will comprise new retail, cafés/restaurants, health and wellbeing services, childcare, education and co-working spaces.
Vicinity’s Chief Development Officer, Carolyn Viney commented, “We’re excited to be able to share with our neighbours and the broader community our vision and proposed plans for the future of Chadstone, further enhancing its status as one of the world’s leading integrated lifestyle destinations, with more than 24 million visitors a year.”
In accordance with Vicinity’s mixed-use and market leading destination strategy, the proposed development is positioned to meet changing consumer lifestyle needs and address future employment trends.
“We know Chadstone plays a significant role within the growing Monash economic region supporting ongoing and future employment. Our plans will address demand from commercial tenants wanting to be based at Chadstone and continue to deliver the experiences our customers and retailers have come to expect from The Fashion Capital,” said Ms Viney.
Ms Viney commented that places like Chadstone are well-placed to accommodate the city’s growing population without disrupting the liveability of Melbourne’s suburbs.
“Our destination centres, such as Chadstone, are community hubs bringing together the key elements that create the vibrant neighbourhood feel we all crave. We’re combining world class, experience-led retailing, convenient services, office space and accommodation, all enabled by robust public transport connections.”
Chadstone Director, Fiona Mackenzie said that the extended dining precinct and additional fresh food options respond to the lifestyle needs of the centre’s customers who told them that they want more dining and entertainment in Chadstone. Ms Mackenzie also explained that the additional 1,400+ car spaces will make Chadstone the largest, free car park in Australia.
“Transport remains a critical consideration for our customers, retailers and the broader Chadstone workforce and we think these projects, coupled with government investment in exploring the feasibility of light rail, will enhance the liveability and economic value of our region,” said Ms Mackenzie.
Vicinity Centres encourages the community to participate in the planning process. The proposal will undergo a 10-week consultation process, with 5 information sessions to be held between December 2019 to February 2020.
Pending development application approval from the City of Stonnington and Chadstone’s co-owners, Gandel Group, construction can begin in 2021, with works being carried out over a three to four year period.
Cover Image: Artist impression of Chadstone’s upgraded fresh food precinct. (Image: Chadstone)