Vicinity presses go on $100m Midland expansion

Aldi, JB Hi-fi and Harris Scarfe will anchor a $100 million extension of Midland Gate Shopping Centre, with construction to begin later this month.

Midland Gate co-owner Vicinity Centres said the expansion would be complete by early 2019, taking the centre to 69,000 square metres of lettable retail space and making it the sixth-largest mall in Western Australia, according to the BNiQ Search Engine.

In addition, 35 new specialty shops and a fresh food precinct will be provided through the redevelopment.

The centre’s existing Coles supermarket will be relocated and its Kmart department stores will also be upgraded, Vicinity said.

Vicinity Centres managing director Angus McNaughton said the redevelopment would create around 965 jobs, including 315 in the construction phase and 650 permanent roles.

“As a gateway for Perth’s eastern suburbs, our co-owners are investing in the Midland community as the centre neighbours the Swan growth corridor, with the local population predicted to increase by 24 per cent by 2025,” he said.

“This redevelopment project will deliver greater choice and convenience for our customers and will cement Midland Gate as the largest, local, everyday destination for the whole family in Perth’s east.”

Vicinity Centres has been planning the redevelopment since 2011, when it first won planning approval.

Since then, Vicinity Centres has been working closely with existing and prospective tenants on the specifications required, tweaking the redevelopment plan numerous times.