11 July 2023

Marketplace Gungahlin announces opening date for new precinct

| Ian Bushnell
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pedestrian bridge between buildings over road

The Marketplace Gungahlin Skywalk Bridge across Hibberson Street. Work is continuing to complete the new shopping precinct. Photo: Laura Liu.

The final touches are being made to Marketplace Gungahlin’s new retail precinct, with the official opening just over a month away.

The town centre shopping mall says that after more than 12 months of construction, the retail precinct above the Kmart mall will open on Thursday 17 August.

Called Level Up, it will add an extra 6500 square metres of shopping including an Aldi Supermarket, the largest Chemist Warehouse in Canberra, a 1000-square-metre Daily Market Asian supermarket, a 700-square-metre Desi Bazaar Indian supermarket and a range of speciality retailers such as Espresso Room, Chatkazz Authentic Indian Cuisine, Bed Bath N’ Table, Miniso and Sushi Hub.

The development also features a pedestrian Skywalk Bridge providing all-weather protection over Hibberson Street, connecting Marketplace’s North and South Malls.

The opening of the new precinct comes in the shopping centre’s 25th year.

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Centre manager Jeremy Wilson said the new retail area and new stores would meet the demand from the rapid growth in the area.

“Our aim is to provide added convenience and an improved shopping experience for the community,” he said.

“For 25 years we have been a pillar in the local community, providing more than just a shopping destination. Marketplace is a space for neighbours to connect, families to bond, and memories to flourish.”

An artist’s impression of the new level, including Canberra’s largest Chemist Warehouse. Image: Marketplace Gungahlin.

Level Up will also deliver a new indoor children’s playground experience called MarketQuest, to complement the popular MarketPlay children’s playground in the BIG W Mall.

It features a five-metre-high jungle gym-style play equipment, inspired by the region’s iconic Bogong moth, and celebrating its journey as it migrates from Queensland to the Snowy Mountains each year.

The centre owner, property group Vinta, has also invested heavily in renewable energy, significantly increasing its previous output to be able to generate up to 1000 kW of power daily.

Marketplace will host an opening ceremony on 17 August, followed by a weekend of exciting activities, performances and exclusive deals.

playground

As well as expanding its retail outlets, the Marketplace Gungahlin precinct will feature a new indoor playground. Image: Marketplace Gungahlin.

The centre opened with Stage 1 in August 1998 and 30 retailers, including a Woolworths supermarket.

The second stage followed in October 2005 with a 17,000-square-metre expansion, including a Big W, more stores and food outlets, and two car park levels.

In 2016, Stage 3 opened with Kmart, 25 specialty stores and enhanced amenities including a two-level basement car park.

Stage 4, Level Up, is part of a $60 million expansion of the shopping centre.

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