Chadstone – The Fashion Capital today unveils its brand-new entertainment and dining precinct, The Social Quarter, which is on track to open this summer. The achievement is a key milestone in Vicinity’s $2.9 billion pipeline outlined in its Development Showcase earlier this year.

The $71 million project spans more than 10,350m2 of new area and accommodates a collection of 18 entertainment and sophisticated dining experiences. The vibrant, ‘all seasons playground’ setting has been designed to suit any occasion, whether it be a date night, an after work catch-up or a mid-week family celebration.

Vicinity Centres Chief Development Officer Carolyn Viney said, “We are proud to be adding something unique to Chadstone with the launch of The Social Quarter. With the breadth of entertainment and dining options on offer, the first-of-its-kind precinct is a place where, no matter your age, the hour of the day, or the time of the year, you’ll find a destination that encourages play and celebration.”

The Social Quarter at Chadstone is set to open this summer and will welcome six new dining retailers: Cinque Terre, Cityfields, Piccolina Gelateria, White + Wong’s, Sardine Bar, and UA Brewing Co. including an onsite brewery producing sustainable craft beer exclusively for The Social Quarter.

Funlab will be launching four of its acclaimed entertainment brands at Chadstone to truly create out-of-this-world entertainment experiences at the new destination.

Archie Brothers, Strike Bowling, Holey Moley and Hijinx Hotel – will complement the new restaurants as well as Chadstone’s LEGOLAND Discovery Centre and HOYTS 13-screen cinema complex.

With office occupancy at 100%, the entertainment and dining offering is anticipated to be well utilised by the growing number of office workers. More broadly, this precinct’s unique offer will be near to home for the 850,000 workers residing in Melbourne’s southeast.

“We’re excited to be able to welcome visitors to enjoy high-end restaurants with spectacular views across Melbourne to the CBD and views to the sky through the state of the art louvred glass roof made up of 468 individually glazed pieces. The Social Quarter will also showcase a new integrated art facade which envelopes the multi-deck car park in this part of the Centre,” Viney added.

Sustainably designed in collaboration with leading architects Jackson Clements Burrows (JCB), Buchan, Decibel and Lat Studios, The Social Quarter at Chadstone brings together lush outdoor spaces and green landscapes. Targeting a 5 Star Green Star rating under the new Green Star Buildings Tool, the precinct has 199KW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) and will bolster the precinct’s building energy performance by more than 30%.

“We are also happy to announce that The Social Quarter development has created more than 250 new jobs during construction with another 370 roles to be on offer once completed,” Viney said.

The Social Quarter will be open late, cementing Chadstone as a destination for domestic and international visitors less than 20 kilometres from Melbourne’s CBD.

Once complete, Chadstone’s total GLA will increase by about 2.4%, to approximately 240,000m2.