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| Location | Kirwan, Queensland, Australia |
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| Management | DEXUS Property Group (formerly known as DB RREEF) |
| Owner | DEXUS Property Group |
| No. of stores and services | 130 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 6 |
| Total retail floor area | 38,000m2 |
| No. of floors | 2 (1 retail, 1 Rooftop Carpark) |
| Website | www.willowsshoppingcentre.com.au |
Willows Shopping Centre is a sub-regional shopping centre, located in Kirwan, a suburb of Townsville, Queensland. It is one of Townsville's largest shopping centers with a total of 130 retail stores. An Australian Breastfeeding Association five-star-rated parents' room is provided, complete with children's play area, as well as a state of the art new male, female and disabled room facilities. Willows Shopping Centre also hosts Northern Australia's largest Big W Department Store at 8500sqm as well a revamped Target Department Store with new feature facades and ceramic and wooden floor tiles inside the store.[2]
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History and development [edit]
The centre was originally opened in 1985 and contained Woolworths, Franklins and approximately 70 shops. In 1994 Coles and Target opened at the present sites. Soon after, Franklins closed and moved across the road and the space was converted to Crazy Clarks. In the latest expansion (2009) this space was used to create space for the mall heading towards Big W and Best & Less.
The centre was purchased by RREEF (which has since rebranded to DEXUS Property Group) in 2006 for approximately A$100 million (2006).[3]
Expansion(s) [edit]
Willows Shopping Centre will become four times bigger. Dexus has gained approval to expand the retail floorpsace up to four times which includes a cinema and commercial space as part of a 20-year masterplan. The shopping centre is well placed to service much of the region's growth with the new Townsville Ring Road opening access to the east and west and 69 per cent of the region's population growth predicted to occur within its main trade area to the west and north.
Stage one on construction of the expansion has commenced in August 2008, with works expected to take 18 months to complete. The expansion includes an 8500 square metre Big W store, two mini majors, about 60 new specialty stores, 600 additional car spaces and upgrades to amenities including new outdoor areas. The 20-year masterplan calls for floorspace of 82,500 square metres the centre now is 38,000 square metres. An extra 50,000 square metres of retail space is being sought in three stages. The expansion is to be accommodated within the Willows' existing 15ha site.[4]
Stage 2 [edit]
Willows has started consulting council and nearby residences about stage 2. Work could start in 2013/2014 depending on approvals. Willows stated that there will be an option for a relocated supermarket and more specialty shops.
Willows Shopping Centre's owners Dexus have submitted a D.A for a $65 million dollar expansion which will see the relocation of Woolworths (next to Big W) and 40 new stores and three mini majors.
Updated DA to council 26/10/2011:-
WILLOWS Shopping Centre will be transformed into the largest shopping complex in North Queensland after a $130 million expansion, if the development gets apporved by the Townsville City Council. As at October 2012, the proposed development has still not received approval.
Kmart is the first major retailer secured for the centre, which will also include at least six new "mini-majors", 75 speciality stores, a relocated supermarket - believed to be Woolworths - and 365 new shaded car parking spaces.
A fresh food market place with greengrocers, fishmonger and deli, and a community hub including a community centre and art space and enclosed 300sq m children's play area adjoining an expanded food court with new cafes are other major features are part of the plan.
It will make Willows the largest shopping centre in North Queensland, with more than 56,000sq m of floor space, boasting 200 speciality stores, three discount department stores, two supermarkets, eight to 10 mini-majors and more than 2600 car parks. The Centre will still remain a Sub Regional Classification until it secures (if ever) a Department Store such as David Jones or Myer.
The proposed development comes just two years after the $82 million first stage redevelopment of the Willows which included a new Big W store and is part of the 20 year master plan for the complex.
The bulk of the expansion will be centred around the current Woolworths entrance, bordering Kern Brothers Drv and Carthew St, creating greater connectivity between Cannon Park and Sunland Plaza. The bus stop and taxi rank would be moved to the southwest corner near the new Kmart.
The blueprint is the result of 12 months' community consultation, in which residents expressed a desire for larger speciality stores, more health service providers such as Medicare and additional youth fashion.
Owners Dexus Property Group yesterday lodged a development application for the proposed expansion with Townsville City Council. The next stage is to begin negotiations with other major retailers interested in space.
Dexus head of retail asset and development management Nick Read said the Willows expansion was a most significant investment in the company's retail arm in Australia and the US.
"Following the outstanding success of the $82 million first stage of redevelopment in late-2009, we are now responding to community feedback for a second Kmart store in Townsville along with other improvements," he said.
Plans can be viewed at the Willows from today.
Transport [edit]
The centre is serviced by public transportation run by Sunbus Townsville.
Facilities [edit]
Major retailers within the centre include (Post Expansion):
- Kmart Stage 2
- Target
- Big W
- Woolworths Stage 2 relocation & expansion
- Coles
- JB HiFi
- Best and Less
- Six additional mini majors Stage 2
- Expanded Food Court + 300sqm enclosed childrens play area Stage 2
- 75 additional specialties Stage 2 = 200 stores
- Community hall & exhibition/art space
- Terry White Chemist
- Payless Chemist
- JAG
- Typo
Major food retailers within the centre include:
- Hungry Jacks x2 (1 located in Foodcourt, 1 Outside)
- Oporto
- Gloria Jean's Coffees
- Subway
- McDonalds
- Coffee Club
- Sumo Salad
- Muffin Break
- Jean Pierre
References [edit]
- ^ "Leasing - Willows Shoppingtown" (in en-au). Retrieved 2007-12-26.[dead link]
- ^ http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/03/04/42381_investor.html
- ^ "Townsville appeals to Deutsche fund" (in en-au). Inside Retailing. 2006-10-23. p. 9.
- ^ http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2008/04/03/11940_news.html
- ^ http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/10/16/86941_news.html
External links [edit]
Coordinates: 19°18′55″S 146°43′36″E / 19.31528°S 146.72667°E
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