20 September 2004
Westfield and Village SKYCITY Cinemas Announcement
Regional Shopping Areas to Gain Cinemas
Residents of Auckland’s North Shore City and Manukau City are set to gain the latest in cinema technology as Westfield
and Village SKYCITY Cinemas announce two major cinema developments in Westfield Shopping Centres.
Mr Joe Moodabe, Chief Executive Officer, Village SKYCITY Cinemas said, “Both the proposed Westfield Albany Town Centre
and the existing Westfield Manukau City shopping centre are set to become the entertainment ‘hubs’ of their respective
regions in Auckland. We are delighted to have cinemas as a key component in these Westfield developments”.
“The North Shore is under supplied with cinema screens and is one of the primary population growth areas of the Auckland
region.
We believe it offers a great opportunity for the expansion of cinema exhibition. Providing cinemas in the Westfield
Albany development will create the entertainment centre for the North Shore”, said Mr Moodabe.
At Manukau City it is great to have the opportunity to bring the latest cinema technology into Westfield Manukau City.
Drawing on our combined experience and research it is clear that the community wants to be able to visit a single
destination for entertainment and to shop while the kids are at the movies,” said Mr Moodabe.
“The planned Westfield Albany Town Centre, which has now received resource consent, has been designed with a Civic
space, which will interact with alfresco dining, restaurants, bars and the entertainment. This link with the Cinemas and
retail fashion, will create a very compelling offer for the North Shore residents of Auckland,” said Mr John Widdup,
Director, Westfield NZ.
“At Manukau City, Westfield has been carrying out an upgrade to the shopping centre for sometime now, and recently
opened the new Farmers Department store. The Village SKYCITY Cinemas will introduce the leisure and entertainment
component to an improved and expanded food and fashion offer at the centre. This will create the entertainment
destination for all Manukau City residents. The design also allows for further expansion prospects in the future,” said
Mr Widdup.
Village SKYCITY Cinemas and Westfield have completed complexes at Westfield St Lukes and Westfield WestCity and are
currently building cinemas in their expansion of Westfield Queensgate in Lower Hutt, Wellington.
Westfield Albany Town Centre – The proposed development planned by Westfield is part of the company’s three-centre
strategy for shopping on the North Shore. Westfield purchased the Albany land in 1996 and has confirmed that the North
Shore City Council has granted resource consent for the project, which includes the cinemas and leisure precincts.
Construction of the Westfield Albany Town Centre incorporating the Village SKYCITY Cinemas is expected to commence in
January 2005.
The proposed cinema complex will see the latest in cinema technology including: Two dedicated Gold Class auditoria and
associated Gold Class lounge. Eight mainstream auditoria including a Mega-Screen (a larger format screen). Tiered
stadium seating and wall-to-wall screens throughout the complex. The total seating capacity within the new multiplex
will be in excess of 2200 seats.
Westfield Manukau City – The shopping centre features approximately 145 specialty stores Westfield recently completed,
a new Farmers department store, which opened 29 July 2004. The shopping centre continues to be upgraded with the
inclusion of new retailers, a new food court and overall design improvements. Westfield Manukau City has more than 8
million customer visits per annum.
Village SKYCITY Cinemas at Westfield Manukau City will introduce: A 10-screen multiplex cinema complex – with seating
capacity of approximately 2,208 seats. Two Dedicated Gold Class auditoria and associated Gold Glass Lounge. Eight
mainstream auditoria including a Mega-Screen (a large format screen). Tiered stadium seating and wall-to-wall screens
throughout the complex.
ENDS