The redevelopment of Westfield Fountain Gate, which was set to begin this year, has been pushed back a year as Westfield focusses on two major projects in London and Sydney.By Kelly Yates
THE redevelopment of Westfield Fountain Gate has been pushed back a year, according to Westfield Group corporate affairs manager Julia Clarke.
Ms Clarke told the News the construction works, which were set to begin this year, would no longer be starting, with Westfield focussing on two major projects in London and Sydney.
“At our recent results announced to the market last week, we said that we were not planning to commence any large project this year other than Stratford City in Lond-on adjacent to the Olympics site, and Sydney City here in Australia,” Ms Clarke said. “These are both landmark projects for Westfield.”
Ms Clarke said pre-development works such as the wiring and electrical systems at Westfield Fountain Gate would still go ahead this year.
“Depending on the nature of the pre-development works, they may not be necessarily visible to shoppers,” she said.
Ms Clarke could not give the News a start date for the re-development of Westfield Fountain Gate.
“All I can say is it won’t be in 2009,” she said.
Classy retailer David Jones confirmed in July last year that it would be coming to Westfield Fountain Gate, with late 2010 a possible opening date.
The expansion of Westfield Fountain Gate will 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.
The retail area at the Princes Highway shopping centre is 80,000 square metres.
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 will have a total of 393 stores after the works.
