[COM] Westfield West Lakes (Extension)

[Omicron]

I'm so used to the single long mall of Marion that West Lakes seems like the most confusing little rabbit warren to me.

I don't find West Lakes confusing, but I am used to it. Marion is too long for my liking, Elizabeth isn't too bad, but TTP is the one I find
confusing.

To be honest, Marion seems small to me these days.

[Omicron]

I'm so used to the single long mall of Marion that West Lakes seems like the most confusing little rabbit warren to me.

Ive always found Elizabeth the easiest to navigate its one corridor that goes around in a square shape but yes, west lakes is the weirdest.

I say; I haven't been down to Elizabeth City Centre since the renovations all those years ago. Have they kept the wonderful clock tower and the '60s architecture around it?

[Cruise]

They have kept the clock tower

[Omicron]

They have kept the clock tower

[Brando]

I'm so used to the single long mall of Marion that West Lakes seems like the most confusing little rabbit warren to me.

Ive always found Elizabeth the easiest to navigate its one corridor that goes around in a square shape but yes, west lakes is the weirdest.

Elizabeth is now right up these with the better. I do live nearby, but even if i lived halfway between TTP and Eliz, i would still go to Eliz. So easy to get around, bright and new.

[pushbutton]

I'm so used to the single long mall of Marion that West Lakes seems like the most confusing little rabbit warren to me.

Ive always found Elizabeth the easiest to navigate its one corridor that goes around in a square shape but yes, west lakes is the weirdest.

Elizabeth is now right up these with the better. I do live nearby, but even if i lived halfway between TTP and Eliz, i would still go to Eliz. So easy to get around, bright and new.

Agreed, it's much nicer than TTP, and a lot easier to park too!

[pushbutton]

More info (from http://dac.sa gov.au)

PROPOSAL IN DETAIL
8.1
The applicant has requested that the decision concerning the proposed freestanding mini-major tenancies located within the car park adjacent Turner Drive be reserved by Council as the relevant authority under Section 33, Part (3) of the Development Act.
8.2
The proposal does not include the three new mini-major stores separated from the main retail areas of the centre, one to the north east of the existing complex, adjacent the Shell service station and Hungry Jacks, one adjacent Turner Drive to the east of the existing complex and one towards the south eastern corner of the site. The proposed stores forming part of the reserved matter will be part of a separate development application.
8.3
The proposal comprises of the following components:
8.3.1
Additions to the existing ground level to create another internal mall running north south and branching to interconnect with the existing internal malls adjacent David Jones and Harris Scarfe.
8.3.2
Additions to the existing ground floor to create a new Discount Department Store (DDS), mini-major and new specialty shops all served by the new internal mall.
8.3.3
Additions to the second level of the centre to create an extension to the existing internal pedestrian mall and new mini-major.
8.3.4
Additional ground level car parking to the north of the existing complex along Brebner Drive. Additional mezzanine car parking to the northern side of the complex, and rooftop parking to the north and west of the complex, along Brebner Drive.
8.3.5
The establishment of additional landscaping along Brebner Drive and within the site.

[pushbutton]

From the above document it would appear they are not only planning to build that new discount department store and specialty shops on the ground floor, but also to expand the upper level.

From the sound of it and from further details given in that document that I couldn't paste into this forum, this will probably be by demolishing most or all of the shops on one side of the upper mall (from JB Hi-fi to house and garden) and by expanding outwards over the top of the new ground level mall, and completely reconfiguring that side of the upper level to include a new mini-major.

I'm still n ot sure exactly what this would mean but although the upper level is now much better than it used to be, it is still under-utilised so any improvement and addition would be good.

[Omicron]

Dear Westfield,

Please give me my Marion expansion first.

Love, Omi.

[pushbutton]

Sorry Omi but Westfields plans are:
May 2008 = Tea Tree Plaza / Tea Tree Plus expansion begins
Sometime in 2009 = West Lakes expansion (subject to approval)
2010 Marion redevelopment

[Omicron]

Sorry Omi but Westfields plans are:
May 2008 = Tea Tree Plaza / Tea Tree Plus expansion begins
Sometime in 2009 = West Lakes expansion (subject to approval)
2010 Marion redevelopment

Alas! Still, this shall give the Powers that Be the chance to design a positively fantastic extension that will be worthy of our full support and admiration.

[crawf]

Marion should be next year, it badly needs a makeover.

[pushbutton]

I agree. It's amazing though how fast some shopping centres start to look dated and shabby. Especially when you consider that Westfield Marion was completely rebuilt less than 10 years ago.

The same goes for the Myer Centre. It was built brand new in 1992 but now just 16 years later it looks very tired (and that's even though they have done a significant repainting job internally).

[Omicron]

I agree. It's amazing though how fast some shopping centres start to look dated and shabby. Especially when you consider that Westfield Marion was completely rebuilt less than 10 years ago.

The same goes for the Myer Centre. It was built brand new in 1992 but now just 16 years later it looks very tired (and that's even though they have done a significant repainting job internally).

I think Marion was done right at the end of that particular Westfield style - most redevelopments they did since then moved away from fairly subdued cream and beige tones with limited street frontages, to dramatic white with highly polished tiles and feature walls of bold colour, and more tenancies facing out into the street.

Here's hoping that they update the whole interior - not like last time when they left the mall behind the food court escalators and by the office tower lifts in the old-style.

[jimmy_2486]

Yes but what about the range of shops that TTP has that Elizabeth doesnt?

Isnt the whole point of going to a shopping centre, to shop??

I dont care how good Elizabeth looks, if there is more shops at TTP, id rather go there.