[PRO] Westfield Marion

[Ben]

Funnily enough thats the exact area thats being upgraded now. Whens its finished it would be great to get a picture in that exact same spot.

[Dvious]

Wow that actually looked very elegant and upmarket. WHAT HAPPENED!

[pushbutton]

I remember when all the balustrade was gold coloured and the escalators now going up to the food court were where the centre stage was until very recently, or rather the escalators before the current ones were. At the bottom of the escalators were two big golden palm trees. There was a previous centre stage outside BigW.

Anyway, the more recent stage has now been completely removed and they've begun laying some extremely nice new tiles in the area where it was.

It sounds likely they're going to put these tiles all the way between Myer and David Jones. The overall look when this is finished should be pretty upmarket and elegant. My only criticism would be that if they're going to do that they should do it throughout the whole centre not just one bit of it otherwise it will end up looking a bit like an afterthought. Also if they want to make the centre (or I suppose even just that part of it) look luxurious, they should really rethink their policy of putting kiosks on every spare bit of space.

[Rene]

Some news re proposed car parking at Marion in AdelaideNow:

MARION Council will lobby Westfield Marion to better consult with traders about its plan to introduce paid parking.

The council agreed at its meeting this week to write to Westfield, urging it to consider the impact paid parking would have on businesses in the Oaklands Park centre.

This followed concerns raised by Cr Jason Veliskou that retailers that provided on-site services, such as hairdressers and restaurants, feared if customers had to pay to park, they would go elsewhere.

"The strategy would focus on advocating on behalf of the business residents for the best possible implementation of the paid parking scheme, but would not seek to reignite the debate," Cr Veliskou said.

The council will ask Westfield to survey businesses on their views about paid parking, and to meet with traders every three months.

Cr Veliskou told the meeting even though it was unlikely paid parking would be introduced before 2014, it was important Westfield started consulting traders now.

"We are aware no formal date has been set yet, but 2014 will come around quickly and businesses need time to prepare strategies and work with us and Westfield to come up with the best solution for both themselves and their customers," he said.

Cr Bruce Hull agreed: "Westfield have not properly consulted with the traders so it's only right that we help give them a voice."

"During the formal Development Assessment Commission hearing, the traders were not allowed to comment and were not given the same opportunities as residents living in the area to comment."

Under the plan, retailers and shoppers would be given two hours free parking and charged a maximum of $20 for seven hours.

Boom gates and ticket machines would be installed at the entrances and exits, with the mezzanine parking level extended with 200 extra spaces.

Adelaidenow is seeking comment from Westfield Marion.

[Ben]

The new flooring is coming on. Looks like a cream coloured marble and a black marble are the new feature tiles. Looks very upmarket, which is great as that is what they are trying to achieve in this section. It is taking a long time though, with literally 10 tiles being laid a night.... what the hell are they doing??

New stores to the centre in coming months are Hype, and Adelaide's first Build a bear workshop. There are quite a number of stores being refurbished too.

[pushbutton]

The new flooring is coming on. Looks like a cream coloured marble and a black marble are the new feature tiles. Looks very upmarket, which is great as that is what they are trying to achieve in this section. It is taking a long time though, with literally 10 tiles being laid a night.... what the hell are they doing??

New stores to the centre in coming months are Hype, and Adelaide's first Build a bear workshop. There are quite a number of stores being refurbished too.

I think they have to stop after every 2 tiles have been laid, have a 30 minute break, then conduct a feasibility study to see whether they should go ahead with laying the next 2 tiles. If the study determines that they should indeed go ahead with the next 2 tiles, they then have to prepare detailed work safety plans and environmental impact statements, and wait until they are approved by all levels of government.

All things considered, I think they're doing extremely well.

[Ben]

According to todays Westfield results this development is not planned to start this financial year.

[JamesXander]

According to todays Westfield results this development is not planned to start this financial year.

They did not even mention it in their financial reports. It's way off. They use this to keep retailers living in hope.

[Ben]

Westfield are also well known for turning up to a site with trucks and construction workers without any warning and announce the development is starting on the day it actually is starting.

[Ben]

Bevilles, Events, Kids central and Crazy Johns have or are about to close. It appears as if Westfield are keeping part of the lino flooring inbetween the new marble tiles. WTF. I hope they're just really slow. I'll post a pic soon.

[Ben]

If Westfield leave the flooring like this they are a joke. obviously the marble needs to be sealed but you can't leave yellow lino next to it.

[monotonehell]

I doubt that is lino. Looks like they are doing feature inlays into the old faux-stone tiles.

[Pikey]

Ben, they won't be leaving like this. There's another polish to happen then a sealer coat, which more than likely will be polished again. And that's not lino either.

[Ben]

I know guys it's not being left like that I'm not stupid. I'm talking about the yellow flooring either side. Will that be staying?

[pushbutton]

Lino (or linoleum to give it's full name) is a very thin (2 or 3mm thick) flexible flooring which is cheap and nasty and wouldn't last more than a couple of weeks in a major mall before it was completely wrecked.

The flooring throughout most of Westfield Marion (including the yellow flooring you refer to) is granite tiles and has lasted about 10 years so far and could last much longer as it's very hard-wearing.

I take your point though. It does rather show it up having that lovely new floor mixed in with it.

I've always believed in the old adage that if you're going to do a job, do it properly or not at all.

Unfortunately it would seem in this case Westfield are just sort of doing it a bit.