Westfield Fountain Gate’s north entry town planning submission.Kelly Yates
DAVID Jones is coming to Westfield Fountain Gate.
The classy retailer has confirmed it will still set up shop, with late 2010 a possible opening date.
Group general manager of retail development Antony Karp told the News an agreement was in place for David Jones to form part of Westfield’s proposed $200 million extension.
“We are committed to opening a store in Fountain Gate,” Mr Karp said.
“Westfield has an agreement to notify us of any developments with the extension and give us sufficient time to plan the store.”
Casey Council gave the go-ahead to Westfield’s extension in December.
Westfield Group corporate affairs manager Julia Clarke said the redevelopment at Fountain Gate would begin next year and take about 15 months to complete.
Ms Clarke wouldn’t confirm whether David Jones would be a part of the centre, but said the new major stores would include a department store, new Coles and an enlarged Target.
The last major redevelopment at the centre was in 2000 and included the incorporation of Safeway and Big W and a new food court, with cinemas and an entertainment and lifestyle precinct.
Since then there have been minor refurbishments including the addition of a fresh food market and Bi-Lo in 2001.
The retail area at the Princes Highway shopping centre is 80,000 square metres with stores such as Target, Kmart, Big W, Coles, Safeway, Bi-Lo and Aldi.
After the redevelopment works, the centre’s retail area will be 115,000 square metres and will result in a further 1200 retail jobs.
Westfield Fountain Gate has 266 stores operating within the centre, and will have a total of 393 stores after the works.
The existing car park has 4022 spaces with the proposed number set to be 5468.
