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Sorry Wayno and SRW, I don't understand the last two posts at all! Are they intended to be a joke? The Trafford Centre is most certainly an architectural masterpiece, and I am not an expert but I would bet that any architect or serious student of architecture would wholeheartedly agree.

Inside the building is breathtaking, with Sistine Chapel style murals on the ceilings, massive shooting fountains, real fossils in marble floor tiles, and much more. Makes your average Westfield with it's simple white plasterboard and concrete look a joke. One of the staircases near the two-storey food court is based on a sweeping marble staircase on the Titanic (although the Trafford Centre staircase is actually even nicer than the one on the Titanic was), and the food court itself is a full-scale replica of a luxury cruise liners deck, complete with swimming pool! The upper level of the food court contains authentic looking indoor "streets" from various countries with a-la-carte restaurants specialising in the food of each country.

Honestly, it's stunning and has to be seen to be believed. As you may be able to tell, I am from Manchester and while I'll freely admit it's not one of the worlds most beautiful or well-planned cities, the Trafford Centre is one thing I'm extremely proud of.

If you're not convinced by the above photo, you can go to http://www.traffordcentre.co.uk or just look in google images for the Trafford Centre to see lots more images. It's by far the most spectacularly beautiful building I have seen in my life, and I've travelled pretty much all over the world.

pushbutton wrote:Sorry Wayno and SRW, I don't understand the last two posts at all! Are they intended to be a joke? The Trafford Centre is most certainly an architectural masterpiece, and I am not an expert but I would bet that any architect or serious student of architecture would wholeheartedly agree.

It's more likely they'd deride it as pastiche. There's nothing wrong with traditional architecture, but only when it's done authentically or sympathetically. The Trafford Centre, to me, is vulgar -- it screams Las Vegas.

But, of course, to each his own.

SRW wrote:The Trafford Centre, to me, is vulgar -- it screams Las Vegas.

I was about to say something very similar. It has the same internal style as the old "The Forum Shops" at Caesar's Palace, Vegas. Same vulgar pseudo Roman style with was too much ornamentation and the same fake painted blue sky ceilings.

Big on theatrics, low on taste.

Here 'tis...
http://www.pbase.com/bcozz/image/87556408

pushbutton wrote:Sorry Wayno and SRW, I don't understand the last two posts at all! Are they intended to be a joke? The Trafford Centre is most certainly an architectural masterpiece, and I am not an expert but I would bet that any architect or serious student of architecture would wholeheartedly agree.

Is there any good architecture that doesn't start off as controversial?

Inside the building is breathtaking, with Sistine Chapel style murals on the ceilings, massive shooting fountains, real fossils in marble floor tiles, and much more.

Marble is a metamorphic rock - the heat / pressure of its formation would destroy any fossils. So either they're not real fossils or it's not real marble.

Makes your average Westfield with it's simple white plasterboard and concrete look a joke. One of the staircases near the two-storey food court is based on a sweeping marble staircase on the Titanic (although the Trafford Centre staircase is actually even nicer than the one on the Titanic was), and the food court itself is a full-scale replica of a luxury cruise liners deck, complete with swimming pool! The upper level of the food court contains authentic looking indoor "streets" from various countries with a-la-carte restaurants specialising in the food of each country.

How big is the Trafford Centre compared to Westfield Marion?

In terms of number of stores, Westfield Marion has 325 and The Trafford Centre has 230 (according to both centres own websites).

However in terms of overall floor space I'd still say the Trafford centre is probably bigger as the malls are much wider, the food court is enourmous, many of the specialty stores are far bigger than those in Marion, and there's also a very spacious outdoor section to the trafford centre.

To me it's not about size though but it's about the sheer beauty of the place.

I don't see it as fake in any way. The building materials are all very solid and traditional.

Adelaide's first standalone Pandora store opened at Marion today. Looks quite nice. This is part of the new "upmarket" mall. Australian designer store Flower and Bed, Bath and Table are due to open in March.

David Jones and Myer have both confirmed today on the ASX, full store refurbishments to commence in July and be complete by Christmas 2011. This may lead into the Westfield expansion as David Jones were waiting on confirmation from Westfield before starting their refurbishment. This was first announced in 2008.

Also, for those interested, Nandos is opening at Marion at the old "Hocus Pocus" play cafe, next to the Event Cinemas.

It is also rumoured that JB Hi-Fi will move upstairs next to K-mart in the old Reject Shop space, to allow more space for "new, high end retailers."

pushbutton wrote:In terms of number of stores, Westfield Marion has 325 and The Trafford Centre has 230 (according to both centres own websites).

However in terms of overall floor space I'd still say the Trafford centre is probably bigger as the malls are much wider, the food court is enourmous, many of the specialty stores are far bigger than those in Marion, and there's also a very spacious outdoor section to the trafford centre.

To me it's not about size though but it's about the sheer beauty of the place.

I don't see it as fake in any way. The building materials are all very solid and traditional.

I wouldn't say it is all traditional, but the Trafford Centre is definitely one of the better shopping centres I have been in. The majority of it isn't as vulgar as that food court picture, and some of the interior areas do look really nice.

Pikey wrote:Also, for those interested, Nandos is opening at Marion at the old "Hocus Pocus" play cafe, next to the Event Cinemas.

It is also rumoured that JB Hi-Fi will move upstairs next to K-mart in the old Reject Shop space, to allow more space for "new, high end retailers."

The children are going to be very sad to see Hocus Pocus go!
But it was a bit too small & too uncomfortable!

Westfield has announced "pre-development activity" on Westfield Marion:

http://westfield.com/corporate/pdf/news ... tation.pdf (page 14)

Interesting that the document makes no mention of any "pre development activity" at TTP or West Lakes.

notmichaeljfox wrote:Westfield has announced "pre-development activity" on Westfield Marion:

http://westfield.com/corporate/pdf/news ... tation.pdf (page 14)

Marion has been "pre development activity" since 2008.

Ben wrote:David Jones and Myer have both confirmed today on the ASX, full store refurbishments to commence in July and be complete by Christmas 2011. This may lead into the Westfield expansion as David Jones were waiting on confirmation from Westfield before starting their refurbishment. This was first announced in 2008.

I missed this post till now and I'm quite surprised because I thought the plan was to build a brand new David Jones sort of behind the current one (on the carpark adjacent the main part of the food court) and demolish the existing store to make way for a mall expansion.

Seems they've altered that but good to hear both department stores will be refurbished.

Marion council has granted a 5 year extension to the redevelopment approval. Interesting the guardian messenger reads that big w and bowland would be relocated as part of the development however big w only had a full refit 6 months ago.