Shopping mall chiefs map out big expansion

By KARYN SCHERER

Auckland might have some of the country's biggest shopping malls, but they are about to get bigger.

A rash of development across the city will see several malls double in size, with others in the planning stages.

The plans come despite predictions from some retail gurus that malls are losing favour with shoppers.

Yesterday, the country's biggest mall owner, St Lukes Group, confirmed it planned to double the size of its West Auckland mall, WestCity.

The Henderson mall, which was only refurbished 21/2 years ago, will grow up and out, gaining two new wings, 50 new stores, eight roof-top cinemas and extra carparks by the middle of 2001.

The $80 million project is expected to provide work for 600 people in the building industry as well as 300 permanent jobs.

It was welcomed by Prime Minister Helen Clark after the company briefed her on the plans.

They include a new two-storey Farmers store as well as "lifestyle and entertainment retailing," which could include a big book store, music and streetwear enterprises, as well as a pub and family-themed restaurant.

The expansion follows a $68 million refurbishment of rival mall Lynnmall in the nearby suburb of New Lynn.

However, it has also cast doubt over the future of New Lynn's existing eight-cinema multiplex.

In January, St Lukes Group bought four Village Force cinema complexes in Auckland - in Newmarket, Manukau, Highland Park and New Lynn - describing the purchase as "strategic."

Last month, Force Corporation confirmed it was likely that all four would eventually be closed and moved to St Lukes' malls.

St Lukes' chief executive David Kennedy stressed yesterday that no decisions had yet been made regarding the existing multiplexes: "It's not something we need to do yet."

The WestCity expansion also follows confirmation this week by St Lukes Group's manager and developer, Westfield, that the long-awaited refurbishment of the Glenfield Shopping Centre is likely to be completed sooner than expected. The $100 million project, which will also double the size of the existing mall, is now likely to be finished before Christmas next year.

Other St Lukes Group malls earmarked for redevelopment include Pakuranga and St Lukes in Auckland, and Queensgate in Wellington.

The company, which owns most of New Zealand's big shopping malls, is also keen to build a giant mall in Newmarket, but detailed plans have not yet been drawn up.

Meanwhile, work began two weeks ago on another retail development in Auckland, at Botany Downs.

AMP Asset Management, which also owns Lynnmall, is building a $180 million "town centre" on 17ha of land midway between Howick and Manukau City Centre.

The first stage, which includes bulk retail stores, cafes and parking, is due to be completed by the middle of next year. The second stage, which includes a town square, offices, supermarket, department store and more than 100 specialty shops, is expected to take another year to finish.