Plans are in the pipeline for a massive expansion that would make Highpoint the nation’s second-largest shopping centre.
A recent briefing to investors by centre operators The GPT Group revealed that the next stage of redevelopment, expected to begin in 2018 and finish by 2020, could include an extra 30,000 square metres of retail to the east, anchored by a Coles supermarket.
The briefing also revealed a ‘town centre’ proposal that could feature a hotel and residential component, along with healthcare and university spaces.
The shift from a purely retail path was flagged earlier this year by GPT Group chief executive Bob Johnston. “Delivering mixed-use outcomes across a number of our retail assets will be an ongoing thematic that we will be exploring over the coming 12 to 18 months,” he said.
“I believe mixed use outcomes will continue to be a thematic that’s embraced with regional retail centres and we need to be positioned to capture this opportunity.”
Star Weekly last year reported plans to rezone industrial and commercial land around Highpoint to enable expansion of the shopping centre and construction of about 2500 new apartments over the next 30 years.
A GPT statement notes the approved planning amendment reflects growth predicted for the region. “There is a broader trend for people to live near activity centres that offer a variety of amenity,” the statement adds.
“Highpoint … delivers this through being the destination in the west for retail, leisure and entertainment along with being close to Maribyrnong River and extensive parklands.”
The planned expansion would follow a $300 million redevelopment in 2013 and take Highpoint to 186,000 square metres, equivalent to more than nine MCG ovals and behind only Chadstone, which will be 220,000 square metres on completion of renovations.
