This development was Westfield’s first new mall in New Zealand, as all its other properties had been purchased from other parties. As such, it provided the opportunity to make a bold design statement.
With seven hectares of indoor space (142 shops and 2,300 car parks), this is New Zealand’s largest shopping centre. Tenants include Kmart and Farmers, boutique fashion shops and a 10-theatre cinema complex. The shopping centre also incorporates a 560-seat food court.
The design of the mall breaks new ground in having its bars and restaurants opening onto outdoor thoroughfares and a north-facing plaza. This creates a connection to the community and helps avoid the ‘blank box sitting in a car park’ effect.