Hickory builders have commenced construction on a new car park for Vicinity Centres’ Chadstone Shopping Centre in Melbourne.

Located at the corner of Chadstone Road and Dandenong Highway, the two-level car park will add 850 new parking spaces to the centre, enhancing ease of access to the fashion capital.

Designed by Cera Stribley, the architectural façade of the car park will include 11 kilometres of bronzed anodised aluminium fins, blending seamlessly with the surrounding buildings.

400 of the parking bays will be shaded by a 1.6-megawatt solar system installed upon the car park roof, designed to reduce the centre’s energy consumption. In total, Vicinity has invested $73 million in solar power across their Australian centres, as part of their commitment to long-term sustainability.

The construction of the car park is the first phase of Vicinity Centres’ $685 million redevelopment of Chadstone Shopping Centre, which will see a total of 1,400 car parks delivered across the centre. Upon completion, the centre will contain the largest free car park in Australia.

The 34,000 square metres of new structure will be added to the existing car park and incorporate wide ramps, additional staircases and dual lifts, all designed to enhance accessibility and improve traffic flow.

The car park will also include an upgraded parking guidance system that utilises smart-sensor technology to direct customers to the most convenient park.

This is the third time that Hickory has been engaged for works on the Chadstone Shopping Centre. The builder previously delivered the Hotel Chadstone in 2019, in addition to a retail walkway that connects the hotel to the shopping centre.

Managing Director of Hickory, George Abraham, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with Vicinity Centres, and look forward to delivering the first stage of the new Chadstone car park. We are pleased to be a part of the centre’s redevelopment.”

Centre Manager at Chadstone, Michael Whitehead, also commented: “We’re excited to see Chadstone’s evolution continue. Our community told us they wanted more parking which, combined with highly accurate guidance technology as well as new access lanes and ramps, will make it much easier to find a park.”

The first stage of the new Chadstone car park is set to be completed in October 2021.