Vicinity plans $100m expansion of Perth [Midland Gate] mall

The Australian, May 22, 2017

Perth billionaire Stan Perron and retail landlord Vicinity Centres are planning a $100 million expansion of a Perth shopping centre to add more eateries and specialty stores as the industry tries to draw customers ahead of Amazon’s launch in Australia.

Midland Gate in eastern Perth, owned by Perron Investments and Vicinity, will add a fresh food precinct and more dining options, with the redevelopment expected to be complete in early 2019.

The move comes as retail landlords aim to draw shoppers by creating experiences not available online, remixing centres to add more eateries and services and reduce the amount of stores selling apparel or other underperforming categories.

Technology has also been a focus, with Stockland recently announcing the addition of former IBM managing director for Australia and New Zealand Andrew Stevens to its board.

Midland Gate will add 35 new specialty retailers plus Aldi, JB Hi-Fi and Harris Scarfe, with eight food retailers. Coles and Kmart are already in the centre but will both undergo upgrades.

Other anchor tenants include Woolworths, Big W, Target and Ace Cinemas.

The existing food court will expand and the casual dining precinct will be refurbished. An extra 250 undercover parking bays will be added and the centre will get a new parents’ room.

When complete, the centre will have 69,000 sqm of gross lettable area and 215 retailers.

The works would create an estimated 965 jobs, of which 315 would be through construction and 650 would be retail, hospitality and services positions.