Castle Towers to be Australia’s second largest shopping center

Plans by a large development company could result in the second largest shopping center in Australia.

The redevelopment plans of Castle Towers by Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) should add an additional 80000m² to the center, at a cost in excess of $911m.

Castle Towers was first constructed during 1979, with an update during 1991 and is known as one of the highest performing malls within Australia.  It boasts an annual turnover of around $670m.

The development company is requesting approval for the demolition of the center south of David Jones and Target, the Piazza building and the sky bridge over Castle Street.  Once the demolition has been completed, a new extension would be erected.  This will include a food court, restaurants, specialty stores and four levels of space looking over Pennant Street.

No time frame for this construction has been provided.

The northern section of the shopping center will be modified or retained as is.

According to QIC, the proposed works will be done in a manner that will minimize inconvenience.  The center will be open for business as usual during the developments.

The application that was lodged on December 23 is significantly different to the initial plans that had been approved by the council during 2011.  It also differs considerably fr om the concept plans released during June last year, which indicated minor changes to the rooftop and the existing façade.  The extension indicated an expansion of the center to incorporate the Castle Hill Public School site.

The current plans indicate a restriction on the redevelopment of the site wh ere the Piazza and cinema are based, along with the center surrounded by Pennant Street, Old Castle Hill Road and Castle Street.