A new shopping centre with world-class brands is set to open its doors for Eastlakes locals mid next year, as construction progresses on stage one of Crown Group’s $750 million mixed-use residential and retail development.
The residential developer was granted development approval from NSW Planning for the highly anticipated residential and retail development earlier this month.
Chairman and Group CEO Iwan Sunito said the new shopping centre formed the next step in Crown Group’s vision to create a $1 billion portfolio of retail offerings around Australia that leveraged iconic architecture to attract world-class brands.
“We have done this successfully at our recent developments in Sydney and we are about to do this again at Eastlakes,” he said. “We will have world-class retail brands operating there from next year.”
The new Eastlakes development boasts a stunning design by internationally acclaimed architects Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt) and exciting shopping centre interiors by Buchan.
It will deliver 490 luxury apartments and a retail and dining precinct that is set to transform the area into a destination in itself. At its heart will be a new town centre and up to 80 restaurants, cafes, shops and supermarkets when fully complete.
Stage one is expected to be completed in mid-2021. It will offer a $30 million shopping centre spanning 2800 square metres with 13 outlets including a new, larger ALDI store and a Woolworths Metro, as well as a bakery, pharmacy, hair and beauty, sushi, newsagent/post office and a car wash.
The stage one shopping centre will sit below the residential component across three buildings on the north side of the development. It will deliver everyday convenience for shoppers and is set to complement the existing offer at Eastlakes Shopping Centre until the centre is transformed as a part of stage two.
Crown Group Chief Operating Officer Pierre Abrahamse said locals were excited that the new shopping precinct would soon be a reality.
“Locals and future residents are very excited to see the tangible beginnings of the transformation of their suburb,” he said.
“This will be a major drawcard for those living in the area, but also for those buying into a developing part of Sydney. It will offer a range of amenity and services that Eastlakes has not seen in decades.”
Construction of the $150 million stage two shopping centre is expected to commence in late 2021. Its new town centre will add a beating heart to the development, providing a gathering place for locals and visitors, with a shopping centre that includes up to 65 stores and a full-line supermarket Woolworths. It will have convenient parking from Evans roads, and a new eat street will offer an array of restaurant and dining options alongside apartments set across five buildings. Completion is expected in 2024.
“In stage two we will transform the old Eastlakes Shopping Centre with a totally new look, expanded retail offering and revitalised shopping experience for customers,” said Mr Abrahamse.
“We are really looking forward to bringing the centre firmly into the 21st century. The new development will be designed for the local community – catering to new and existing residents, it is designed to create a new heart for Eastlakes, as a space that brings together the diverse community of the surrounding suburbs, with cafes and gourmet delis in a space that has plenty of natural light, open air and opens to the adjoining park.”
“It will further build on the almost 60-year history of the shopping centre and its long-standing connection with the local community,” he said.
Woolworths State Property Manager Brad Karge added that he was delighted to be part of Crown Group’s regeneration of Eastlakes Shopping Centre and excited that local residents would soon have access to one of Australia’s most modern supermarkets.
“We look forward to continuing to service the loyal customer base we have built over the years, when we open our new Metro Eastlakes, and then when we welcome customers into our new, state-of-the-art, full-line supermarket in 2024, in the second stage of the redevelopment.”