Stage One Of Landmark Westfield Albany Development

29 August 2007

Stage One Of Landmark Westfield Albany Development Set To Open

The first stage of the new $210 million Westfield Albany shopping and entertainment centre opens tomorrow, Thursday 30 August 2007 - a landmark development for Westfield New Zealand.

Westfield Albany Stage One will offer more than 65 stores and over 950 car parks.

Westfield New Zealand Deputy Director, Justin Lynch says it’s taken a number of years to plan and design Westfield Albany. “It was important that we created a centre for the whole community that offers a range of retail, lifestyle and entertainment choices.”

“As New Zealand’s leading shopping centre owner and operator, we were focused on meeting needs of the community both now and in the future. That meant creating a place appealing to all age groups within the community to socialize and shop in a safe environment,” says Justin Lynch.

With its spacious and inviting public areas and its wide range of amenities, Westfield Albany will be a vibrant and inclusive focal point for those living and working in the area. “It offers shops, restaurants, entertainment, artworks and open spaces – all in one place where locals and visitors can meet, shop, socialise and relax. It will be a vibrant place for a dynamic community.”

Westfield New Zealand’s $210 million investment in the centre is part of the $1 billion investment that the company has committed throughout New Zealand. It is expected to have significant flow-on benefits to both the regional and national economies.

Over 3,000 construction workers will have lent their skills to the project, and the finished centre will create more than 1,500 retail jobs.

Albany is one of the country’s fastest-growing regions with Statistics New Zealand predicting that the population will increase by 30% between 2001 and 2021.

For the past few years Westfield New Zealand has been working closely with the North Shore City Council, master-planning the Westfield Albany development to make sure it meets the present and future needs of this thriving community.

“We’ve worked very closely with the Council to design a shopping facility that will integrate well with local transport and council services and complement the other businesses and leisure facilities in the Albany area,” says Justin Lynch.

Justin Lynch says the development has been planned and built to open in stages to ensure that infrastructure like roading and car-parking is in place to meet the demand of the new centre.

Among the first stores to open will be a New World supermarket and a Kmart department store, as well as a foodcourt and a wide variety of specialty shops. At least 950 parking spaces will also be available at this first stage.

The official opening ceremony will be held on 1 November, when a further 77 stores will open. The completion of this second stage of the development will bring the total number of shops, restaurants, and cafes in the centre to more than 140, all supported by more than 2,300 parking spaces.

Stores scheduled for November opening include a new Farmers department store and other major retailers Borders, Bond & Bond, Babycity, JB Hi-Fi and Number I Shoes.

Justin Lynch says plans for the November opening celebrations are already well underway and will focus on celebrating Westfield Albany’s significant public spaces, The Grove and Civic Plaza.

A 10-screen SKYCITY cinema complex is due to open in the first quarter of 2008.

Matthew Liebmann, General Manager SKYCITY Cinemas, says the incorporation of SKYCITY Cinemas with Westfield shopping centres is a highly successful combination and offers many complementary entertainment options under one roof.

"SKYCITY Cinemas is committed to providing our customers with the kind of fun and entertainment they can't get anywhere else, and we are delighted to be part of this landmark development.

"When it opens in the first quarter of 2008, SKYCITY Cinemas Albany will offer the latest technology in projection, sound, screens and comfort levels with stadium seating and deluxe seats. We are extremely excited to bring to the Albany region a new level of comfort, a broader range of movies and more choice in cinema locations," says Matthew Liebmann.

“As Westfield New Zealand’s first “greenfield” development, the project gave Westfield’s specialist development team the opportunity to purpose-design the centre from the ground up.

“We’re delighted that Westfield Albany will have the highest quality retail and entertainment providers – all leaders in their respective sectors. And we’re excited by the opportunity to create a state-of-the-art retail centre that will enhance the food, fashion, and shopping and entertainment experience for the people of Albany and the North Shore,” says Justin Lynch.

The new centre will be integrated with the existing Pak ‘n Save supermarket and Mega Centre and is designed to integrate with North Harbour Stadium, Massey University and Albany Village. It has convenient access from the motorway bus links to the North Shore bus interchange.

ENDS –

© Scoop Media