By Charlene Macaulay
A new-look Kmart store will be the jewel in the crown of a $60 million expansion of Manor Lakes Central that will double the size of the existing shopping centre.
Construction will begin in coming weeks. The mammoth expansion will deliver about 20 new retailers – including Best & Less, Anytime Fitness and a large-scale fruit and vegetable grocer – 500 more carparking spaces and a range of family-friendly features including upgraded parent rooms, children’s interactive play areas and free Wi-Fi.
The project will be anchored by a new-concept Kmart that will span 5200 square metres and include defined product areas, a central self-service checkout and wider aisles for easier pram and wheelchair access.
The centre is owned by Ranfurlie Asset Management, the retail and commercial arm of Dennis Family Corporation.
Ranfurlie Asset Management chief executive Mark Wilson said the expansion would also coincide with a refurbishment of the existing centre, with both scheduled for completion in early 2020.
The project will create about 300 construction jobs over coming months and more than 400 on-going full and part-time retail positions once the expansion is completed.
Mr Wilson said the expansion and revamp aimed to give locals an “active shopping experience” where locals can enjoy spending time with family and friends.
“Alfresco dining spaces will link indoor and outdoor public areas and connect to landscaped communal spaces and kids’ activity zones, complete with bike tracks and mini climbing walls,” Mr Wilson said.
Ranfurlie Asset Management is also behind the 25,000-square-metre Tarneit Central shopping centre, which opened in 2017.
