Kiwi Property goes to town with $9.1m
The dining area at Auckland’s Sylvia Park shopping centre is being expanded as part of a $9.1 million upgrade finishing in December.
New Zealand’s largest shopping centre, owned by Kiwi Property, will get six new restaurants, a new square and a dining pavilion.
Kiwi Property Group chief executive Chris Gudgeon said the design would integrate with an upgrade of the existing dining lane and the company’s ‘‘long-term vision’’ to create a world-class town centre at Sylvia Park.
The opening of The Grove in December would coincide with the $80m construction of a 10-level office tower with IAG New Zealand as its main tenant.
IAG has signed a 12-year lease for almost 30 per cent of the new building from June 2018.
The dining laneway, to be named The Grove, will feature restaurant chains Mexico and Better Burger and have a retractable canopy, Gudgeon said.
The expansion follows the launch of New Zealand’s first H&M and Zara stores at Sylvia Park last year. Kiwi Property is in talks with a number of other leading New Zealand food companies to open eateries at The Grove.
There are also plans under way to commission a significant piece of artwork for the area.
The shopping centre attracts more than 12.6 million visitors a year, and has annual sales of more than $455m.
Kiwi Property’s general manager of retail, Karl Retief, said: ‘‘The Sylvia Park dining lane upgrade reflects current consumer trends, with customers increasingly wanting inclusive and immersive dining experiences that not only entertain but also provide social meeting places. Unlike other major cities, Auckland lacks strong dining and entertainment precincts outside of the city so The Grove is set to lead the way.’’
Kiwi Property plans to expand the retail area further over the next three years to include a 20,000-square-metre fashion galleria on the second level.
The expansion plans include a new food court, 4000 extra car parks, new stores and potentially one or more department stores.