[COM] Westfield West Lakes (Extension)

[Port Adelaide Fan]

Westfield West Lakes construction photos each Tuesday

[Port Adelaide Fan]

190 jobs to be created in West Lakes Mall upgrade

UP TO 190 jobs are expected to be created when a $95 million expansion of West Lakes Shopping Centre is completed in October.

Westfield centre manager Cathy Main said more than 160 construction jobs had already been created by the expansion, and about 190 more people were expected to be employed when the centre's new and upgraded shops opened.

The first stage of the centre's overhaul will open on June 27, featuring a rooftop carpark with 150 spaces, six renovated shopfronts and a new cafe and travel agent.

The second stage will be complete on October 24, with more than 40 specialty shops and a Target.

Andrew Worrall said Westfield's decision to expand showed there was still confidence in the retail sector.

"There is a lot of gloom and doom about the retail industry but it shows that people still want to touch and feel what they are going to buy rather than buy everything online," Mr Worrall said.

The owners of Rundle St-based Cafe Brunelli will open a new branch in the centre towards the end of this month, employing about 30 full and part-time workers.

A new 115-space car park is also nearing completion.

Ms Main said the complex would have a stronger focus on fashion.

"Upon completion Westfield West Lakes shoppers will be able to enjoy a greater retailer mix across fashion, lifestyle and fresh food," Mrs Main said.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 6663774725

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I cannot believe how fast this has been built. Exactly 6 months ago they had just dug up the carpark, and put up a bit of scaffording to hold the formwork for the rooftop carpark. There was no actual permanent new structure at all.

Now stage one is 2 days away from opening.

Stark contrast to how long the Arndale development has taken.

Admittedly this is stage one and there's still a fair bit of work to do on stage two, but they have already set an exact date for its opening, so they certainly are well organised.

No, Westfield aren't paying me to say this. I just think it's impressive!

[russo92]

Drove past today and completely agree, it's gone up incredibly fast, they have the Westfield signage up on the new mall entrance.


Not sure if anyone would know but I have heard that Target Fulham Gardens is closing and moving to West lakes and a Big W is going to Fulham. Anyone know whats going on? Does seem strange to have 2 targets so close to eachother, but if it's the case I wonder why Big W didn't move to West Lakes instead.

[Torrens_5022]

I have heard this a lot, but no evidence - Target Fulham Gardens gets a lot of customers plus looking geographically on google maps - it''s about 6km between Fulham Target and West Lakes a very similar distance from Sefton Park Target and Adelaide City Target and this to Unley Target is maybe 4km, how bout Golden Grove (now a normal target) to Tea Tree Plaza which is also about 6km. If this is true are they going to close the Hollywood Plaza Target when Mawson Lakes opens that's about 6.5km, Edwardstown Target to Oaklands Park Target 6km. They have a lot of stores and why would they move a store and let their competition move in.

[Port Adelaide Fan]

More photos here

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Looks quite stylish from the photos. I'm pleased to see they haven't cheaped out on the flooring like was done in the last extension. That looks like a proper mall flooring which will probably blend quite well with that throughout most of the existing centre. Just a shame the last extension doesn't.

I like the fact there will be at least a bit of greenery outside the new entry. It is much needed. I also like the fact they have included some stylish ceiling treatments and fancy lighting.

The other thing that really makes it look good is the fact the mall isn't cluttered up with kiosks. I doubt it will stay that way but I hope it will!

I guess the travellators will obviously lead up to the new rooftop carpark, which answers the question of how you can enter from there.

One thing Westfield have never done very well (to my knowledge) is entrances. With this being a brand new entrance, there was an opportunity to make it look really inviting (from outside). It's functional and modern, but doesn't exactly make you think "Wow!"

Overall I like it so far.

[pushbutton]

I know I said earlier that Westfield don't do entrances very well, but having seen the new ground floor entrance up close and finished, it's actually not too bad. Not anything like the best mall entrances I have seen, but not bad and certainly better than any Australian Westfield entrance I have seen.

The huge planter tubs and the landscaping outside the entrance really make a difference.

The grass on that area is fake, and looks ok, but I'm hoping it will be replaced by real grass for a more natural look.

[Port Adelaide Fan]

Will have a look on Saturday before the football.

[Torrens_5022]

The extension looks nice, weirdly the travelators and surround decor look quite similar to the ones in the Bayside village at Glenelg. The strangest bit was having to access the new mall through David Jones, but the new part does make the old section look very cluttered and a bit bland.

[pushbutton]

It's quite impressive Westfield were able to set an exact opening date well in advance, and they stuck to it. However it's a little disappointing that there are only such a small number of shops open in stage one, and that some of the ones which were supposed to open today actually won't be open until early next week.

In my opinion it would have been better to delay the opening until all the shops are ready, and preferably until a bit more of the mall (going at least up to where it joins the David Jones mall) is ready to open.

Again it's impressive that they already know the exact date stage 2 will open. I just hope they manage to get all the shops open on that date.

[Port Adelaide Fan]

RELOCATING RETAILERS
Visit the following retailers in their new homes, within our new mall:
- Australia Post
- ANZ Bank
- Westpac Bank
- Bendigo Bank
- Better Health Pharmacy

Download Map Here »

[Crooked]

Target Fulham isn't closing, but will lose customers out of west lakes opening

[Xaragmata]

A few pics from Thursday

[Port Adelaide Fan]