A new world-class retail destination

About the project: Scentre Group (ASX:SCG) today announced the commencement of its NZ$790 million (SCG share: NZ$400 million)* redevelopment of Westfield Newmarket, creating a world-class retail and lifestyle destination in the heart of Auckland.

Incorporating multiple sites over four and half hectares, the Broadway site will be home to Auckland’s first David Jones department store, a new format Farmers department store, Countdown supermarket and more than 230 new specialty stores.

Westfield Newmarket will showcase New Zealand’s best fashion, with a compelling mix of local and international designers, new-to-market brands and some of the most well-known retailers from New Zealand and Australia.

A rooftop lifestyle, dining and entertainment precinct, integrating a new state-of-the-art Event Cinemas complex offering V-Max and Gold Class, will encompass some of the country’s finest food and beverage experiences in a vibrant outdoor environment, providing Newmarket’s local community and the wider Auckland population with an exceptional leisure and hospitality experience.

Scentre Group Chief Operating Officer Greg Miles said: “We’re incredibly excited to be embarking on the transformation of Westfield Newmarket in collaboration with our joint venture partner, GIC.

On completion, Westfield Newmarket will represent a premium fashion, food, technology, lifestyle and entertainment experience unrivalled in New Zealand. Westfield Newmarket will become the flagship “living centre” for the Group’s New Zealand portfolio and set a new benchmark in extraordinary retail and lifestyle destinations.”

David Jones CEO David Thomas said: “We know New Zealanders are well-travelled and fashion savvy with an appetite for international brands and world-class shopping experiences. We are focussed on exceeding these expectations when we open our first Auckland store as part of the exciting new Westfield Newmarket redevelopment. Our store will combine the best of New Zealand and international brands curated specifically for the discerning local market with our range of premium instore services, delivering an unparalleled experience to the region.”

The David Jones store will be the second in New Zealand since opening their first store in Wellington in 2016.

Westfield Newmarket will offer a range of bespoke concierge services that will set a new standard in customer experience including valet parking, a styling suite and hands-free shopping.

The new Westfield Newmarket will have a gross lettable area of 88,150 square metres and is due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2019.

About Scentre Group

Scentre Group (ASX Code: SCG) is the owner and operator of Westfield in Australia and New Zealand employing approximately 2,700 staff. Scentre Group has interests in and operates 39 centres located in Australia and New Zealand, encompassing over 11,600 retail outlets and total assets under management of $47.4 billion. The Group is in the ASX top 15 and in Australia its portfolio includes 16 of the top 25 best-performing centres in the country.

Scentre Group, as the former Westfield Trust, launched the Westfield brand in New Zealand in 2000 when it fully acquired the St Lukes Group Ltd.

About David Jones

David Jones is Australia’s leading premium retailer. The iconic department store first opened its doors in 1838 with the mission to sell ‘the best and most exclusive goods’ and celebrated its 179th anniversary in 2017. It is also the oldest continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name. David Jones offers customers superior products and services across national and international brands in fashion, beauty, food and homewares.

David Jones currently has 43 stores as well as a popular online store, including its first international store in Wellington, New Zealand, and two boutique format stores at Barangaroo, Sydney and James Street, Brisbane.

In August 2014, David Jones was purchased by South African based company, Woolworths Holdings Limited (WHL). WHL, which also owns Country Road Group, is one of the top ten global department store operators, focussed on the Southern Hemisphere.

Story by: Trends