Highpoint Shopping Centre

Highpoint Logo
Location	Maribyrnong, Victoria, Australia
Opening date	1975
Developer	GPT Group
Management	GPT Group
Owner	GPT Group
No. of stores and services	500[1]
No. of anchor tenants	7
Total retail floor area	156,000 m²[2]
No. of floors	4
Website	http://www.highpoint.com.au

Highpoint Shopping Centre is a major shopping centre located in Maribyrnong, Victoria, in the western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The centre has 500 stores including a four-level Myer department store, a two-level David Jones department store, Target, Big W, Harris Scarfe, Zara, Topshop, Woolworths supermarket, Best and Less, Toys R Us, JB Hi-Fi and Hoyts cinemas and a Digital IMAX theatre.

In 2011 Highpoint underwent a two-year $300 million two-stage redevelopment which added 100 new stores.

Highpoint is Victoria's 2nd largest shopping centre and the 3rd largest in Australia boasting 500 stores, with an annual turnover of $778 million and over 15 million shoppers visiting each year.^[2] It is the largest shopping centre serving Melbourne's western and north western suburbs, an area with a population of at least half a million people.

History[edit]

Highpoint is built on a hill which looks out over the Maribyrnong River to Melbourne's CBD, hence its name. An anti-aircraft battery operated on the site during World War II for protection of the surrounding military bases and ammunition works in Maidstone and Maribyrnong.^{[citation needed]}

The 50-acre site was previously a quarry, as can be seen by the quarry cliff face walls of the lower carparks. The land was sold by the City of Essendon for $1.85 million in April 1971, with permission required also from the City of Sunshine as the quarry was also located in that local government area.^[3] Construction of the initial stage of the shopping complex cost $11 million.^[3]

Named originally "Westland Shopping Centre"^[4] then "Highpoint West Shopping Centre" it was later renamed "Highpoint City Shopping Centre". It is now marketed as "Highpoint".

Redevelopment[edit]

Redevelopment, in two stages, commenced March 2011^[5] When complete it was to include an extra 30,000 m² and first David Jones in Melbourne's western suburbs.^[6] Expansions, over two levels, incorporated traffic flow improvements, an additional 1,000 car spaces and 100 extra speciality retailers. The first stage of the redevelopment opened 18 October 2012 included a new Woolworths as well as a Fresh Food Market, and an improved car park with "Park Assist" technology. The second stage opened on 14 March 2013 including a David Jones, Australia's 2nd Samsung Experience store and Top Shop clothing store along with 98 specialty stores and an extra 1,000 car spaces. The redevelopment aimed to improve the centre's sustainability.^[5]

Facilities[edit]

Highpoint has 156,000 m² of floor space on four levels.^{[citation needed]}

Major anchors[edit]

• Myer department store (4 floors)
• David Jones department store (2 floors)
• Target discount department store
• Woolworths supermarket - 14 Aisles
• Big W discount department store
• Harris Scarfe department store
• Toys R Us toy store
• Zara clothing and accessories store
• Topshop clothing and accessories store
• Hoyts 17 screen cinema including a Digital IMAX screen

Minor anchors[edit]

• Dick Smith electronics store
• The Reject Shop discount variety store
• Rebel Sport outdoor clothing and equipment store
• Lincraft haberdashery store.
• JB Hi-Fi electronics store
• Apple Store
• Samsung Electronics Experience store
• The Pancake Parlour restaurant.
• Best and Less clothing and linen store.
• Fitness First gym.
• Playtime arcade centre.

Opposite the main Highpoint centre on Rosamond Road there are a large number of other stores and businesses, including Bunnings Warehouse, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith Powerhouse, another JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks, an AMF Bowling Center, The Good Guys and a large number of homeware and furniture retailers in a section called "Homemaker City" such as Freedom and Barbeques Galore. One of the branches of Maribyrnong Library Service is located at the front of the shopping centre on Rosamond Rd.

Ownership[edit]

Until 2006, Highpoint was wholly owned by Melbourne's Besen family (also owners of the Sussan retail chain). In March 2006, the GPT (General Property Trust) Group purchased a 50% stake and management rights in the centre for about A$621.2 million.^[7]

Transport[edit]

There are no trains in the area. Melbourne tram route 82 (Footscray to Moonee Ponds) runs along the western side, while route 57 (West Maribyrnong to City) is 450 metres away on Raleigh Rd.

Highpoint Shopping Centre is serviced by the following bus routes:

• 215 Caroline Springs
• 223 Williamstown Road, Yarraville
• 406 Footscray - Keilor East (Footscray is 4km away)
• 407 Avondale Heights
• 408 St. Albans
• 468 Essendon

Bicycle racks can be found at both the "Atrium Level 2" and the "Riverbank" entrances.

External links[edit]

• Highpoint Shopping Centre - Official site.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• accessibility.com.au - Highpoint Shopping Centre Disability information resource reports on accessibility of this shopping centre for users of wheelchairs or baby strollers.
• Australian Steel Institute Steel Design Awards - 2006 - Highpoint Shopping Centre - Southern Extension Discusses how steel trusses were used for a complex dome structure in this building extension. This was the winner in the "small project" category.

Coordinates: 37°46′24″S 144°53′09″E / 37.77333°S 144.88583°E / -37.77333; 144.88583