Green Hills could soon be mentioned in the same breath as the Hunter’s shopping mall heavy hitters, Kotara and Charlestown.
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Stockland has confirmed that David Jones and a JB Hi-Fi store will be included in the $377 million redevelopment of the Green Hills shopping centre.
The developer announced on Wednesday that the revamp, which would increase the floor space from 33,000 square metres of leasable retail space to 70,000 square metres, would be complete by mid 2018.
It also released concept art for the major project in Maitland’s east.
“Green Hills is already one of our highest-performing centres and one of the retail industry’s most productive,” group executive and CEO of Stockland’s commercial property division John Schroder said.
“This $377 million redevelopment will take Green Hills from strength to strength to ensure it becomes an absolute powerhouse within the regional economy.
“There’s already an incredible buzz around David Jones coming to Stockland Green Hills and, with 225 speciality stores, including the best fresh food retailers, eight restaurants and a new casual dining precinct, we’ll deliver the most comprehensive and exciting shopping centre in the Hunter trade area.”
Along with the new concept JB Hi-Fi Home store and single level David Jones outlet, a Harris Scarfe department store and new format Target will be part of the double storey shopping centre.
It will also include 16 mini-majors, more than 225 specialty stores and kiosks, an expanded restaurant and leisure area and a new indoor-outdoor casual dining precinct, which will feature a garden courtyard and pavilion.
Construction was expected to begin in January.
There had been speculation that David Jones had signed on to be part of the new Stockland Green Hills after its major competitor Myer pulled out of a plan to set up a store there as part of the redevelopment.
Wednesday’s announcement came during a positive week for the Lower Hunter’s economy, after news that the region’s unemployment rate had dropped by 3 per cent and that the revamped Levee precinct no longer had any vacant properties.
The mayor of Maitland, Cr Peter Blackmore, said the Green Hills shopping hub would complement The Levee in Central Maitland and provide choice for potential customers.
“It’s the announcement that we, in Maitland, have been waiting for. It’s wonderful news,” he said.
“It’s about stopping the dollar going past the door and out of the city.
“Retail is the largest single employer in the city.”
The company expects the redevelopment to directly create 1350 jobs and indirectly deliver more than 2150 jobs.
It is also expected to create more than 1250 jobs in the centre, when completed, and about 1200 for the region’s suppliers and service providers.
