The opening of a new underground carpark at Marketplace Gungahlin marks the completion of the first stage of a $60m expansion that will significantly increase retail space in the centre, providing an additional 500 underground carparks and delivering up to 25 new retailers, including Kmart, to the growing region.
Meegan Fitzharris MLA will today officially open the underground carpark and announce a series of new retailers set to open in November. The size of the shopping and lifestyle centre will increase to include more than 31,000sqm of retail and recreational space in the heart of the town centre.
Marketplace Gungahlin will announce some of the new retailers who are set to call Gungahlin home from later this year. Amongst them, big names include cult favourite Kmart, Soul Origin, Boost Juice, Oliver Brown and Laser Clinics Australia. In addition to these new names, supermarket giant Woolworths will unveil the first of its new concept stores in Canberra.
The major expansion is part of improving the retail offering for residents to help to meet the growing needs of Gungahlin. The burgeoning region has become the most popular place to buy a family home, with four Gungahlin suburbs featuring in the 10 most popular Canberra suburbs for families. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, from 2014 to 2015 Gungahlin had the largest growth rate of all areas in the ACT.
Ms Fitzharris said the expansion of the Marketplace was a strong vote of confidence in the growing Gungahlin economy. “The Gungahlin community is growing and the town centre has rapidly evolved into a contemporary and dynamic recreational, retail and educational hub,” she said. “It is pleasing to see that business confidence in the area is also strong.”
“I love shopping in the Gungahlin Town Centre, and I know the new carpark and retail space will make it even easier for people to shop, catch up with friends, visit our fantastic library or go out for dinner.
“Congratulations to the Marketplace Gungahlin team on this great milestone today – we really do have a great local area with people who are passionate about making it the best it can be.”
The new carpark increases total parking to 1,300 spaces via a 2-level, undercover carpark. Marketplace Gungahlin customers will enjoy weather protected access to their favourite stores through the new basement parking, with lift and full travellator access to the Woolworths building.
Paul Morgan, Centre Manager for Marketplace Gungahlin, says the group are committed to improving customer convenience and experience.
“Our redevelopment will provide a new and improved Marketplace Gungahlin for local residents, bringing them greater shopping, dining and lifestyle choices through the introduction of more stores, services and eating options,” says Morgan. “Our goal is to create a hub that brings the community together. We went out into the community and asked locals what they wanted. The feedback was clear and consistent. They wanted a place to catch up with friends, they wanted more dining options, and they wanted a more convenient shopping experience.
“What you will see being launched here is what local residents want. We are thrilled to be part of the growing region and hope to play a large role in meeting the needs of local families.” The new underground carpark officially opens today. This will be followed by the launch of the new concept Woolworths in September, with the full Centre completed late November.
Marketplace Gungahlin Paul Morgan, MLA Meegan Fitzharris and Mark from My Gungahlin
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