The largest Chemist Warehouse in Canberra is among the major retailers to set up shop in Marketplace Gungahlin’s new retail precinct. Photo: Ben Calvert Photography.
Marketplace Gungahlin has cut the ribbon on its new retail precinct called ‘Level Up’ after more than 12 months of construction.
The town centre mall’s $60 million expansion adds 6500 square metres of shopping and 20 new stores.
Major retailers include the largest Chemist Warehouse in Canberra, a 1000-square-metre Asian supermarket, an ALDI and a 700-square-metre Indian supermarket.
A range of speciality retailers will also open their doors to customers, including Espresso Room, Chatkazz Authentic Indian Cuisine, Bed Bath N’ Table, Miniso and Sushi Hub.
While new internal signs have been installed to help people navigate to the new shops, no new parking spaces beyond the existing 1300 odd undercover spaces have been added.
The development also features a new pedestrian Skywalk Bridge providing all-weather protection over Hibberson Street, connecting Marketplace’s North and South Malls.
Centre manager Jeremy Wilson says the new 5.5-metre-tall Bogong Moth-inspired jungle gym with space netting and two slides is another highlight of the expansion.
“We wanted to have something that was iconic in Canberra,” he explains. “The Bogong Moth is one of those fantastic creatures in the community that people know.
“The whole jungle gym design is around the cocoon of the Bogong Moth and its evolution and that evolution also talks to the evolution of Marketplace Gungahlin.”
The children’s playground is inspired by the Bogong Moth’s migratory path through Canberra on its journey from Queensland to the Snowy Mountains. Photo: Ben Calvert Photography.
Level Up is the fourth stage of the shopping centre’s development, with stage one opened by then-chief minister Trevor Kain exactly 25 years ago in 1998.
“Even from its inception, when there were sheep paddocks around it, there was an overarching vision to see it evolve,” Jeremy explains.
“[Stage four] is designed to help meet the needs of the community in what is one of the fastest growing regions in the country.”
For those who missed Level Up’s official launch this week, the celebrations will continue on the weekend of Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 August.
A range of themed activations and workshops will be dotted around the mall, including a claw machine and face masks and nails workshop.
Chinese retailer Miniso will also have its own grand opening on Saturday, with its penguin mascot making an appearance and a raffle and lucky prize draw.
The Vinta Group CEO Peter Vogliotti, Member for Yerrabi Suzanne Orr and centre manager Jeremy Wilson cut the ribbon on Level Up. Photo: Ben Calvert Photography.
The following three weekends will feature more themed workshops about DIY lunchboxes, mini wraps and snack skewers and kite flying and kaleidoscopes.
To find out more about the activities and workshops scheduled for throughout August and September, please visit the Marketplace Gungahlin website.
The full list of the 20 new Marketplace Gungahlin stores includes:
Supermarkets
- Daily Market Groceries
- Desi Bazaar
- ALDI
Food and drink
- Espresso Room
- Master Goose
- Sushi Hub
- Top Juice
- Chatkazz
Health, personal care and beauty
- Kurves Brows and Threading
- Moe & Co Cut, Colour, Style
- Chemist Warehouse
- Eyeris Optometrist
- Elite Organics
- Skin Balance
- Love Nails
Homewares
- Bed Bath N’ Table
- Miniso
Other
- Hotline Ring Phone Repairs and Shop
- Commonwealth Bank
- Vodafone
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