Bayfair Shopping Centre has officially opened the first stage of the its NZ$115 million development today with an expanded footprint and new retail offering – just in time for the busiest weeks of Christmas trade. As featured on our SCN cover earlier this year, Bayfair Shopping Centre is one of the best performing centres in New Zealand and is cementing its brand position in the market. The surrounding area is in New Zealand’s growth corridor. 

Thirty new retail stores have joined Bayfair, representing some of the best and most exciting retail Australasia has to offer including Mecca Maxima, Platypus Shoes, Redcurrent, Collette, The Source Bulk Foods, Peter Alexander, Cotton On Mega, Dotti, Macpac, Portmans and Jacqui E.

Bayfair Stage One, Mecca Maxima store

On completion in 2019, the development, which is being managed by AMP Capital on behalf of co-owners Fisher Funds Management Limited and the AMP Capital Shopping Centre Fund, will see the centre become a fully-integrated, single-level enclosed shopping centre. An additional 9,000m2 will see the centre’s total footprint expand to 42,000m2 including more than 50 additional specialty stores and an alfresco dining precinct to complement what will be the largest cinema complex, United Cinemas, in the Bay of Plenty.

AMP Capital Shopping Centres Managing Director Mark Kirkland commented: “Today we’ve opened the doors on the first stage of the shopping centre’s redevelopment. The opening, which is the largest in terms of additional stores and an expanded area, marks a major milestone for the NZ$115 million development and for the loyal customers and community of Bayfair, who are excited to see the vision for the centre come to life.”

“The investment in Bayfair Shopping Centre represents a significant measure of confidence in the region and will support new business and employment opportunities. The development has already created more than 400 construction jobs under the project management of Fosters Construction. On completion, it is estimated the centre and its retailers will employ an additional 500 people.”

Once complete, the new-look Bayfair Shopping Centre will celebrate the Bay of Plenty and the best of its coastal and urban lifestyle and is set to be the region’s year-round retail and entertainment destination.

Bayfair is also pleased to be introducing not only some of New Zealand’s most popular clothing and lifestyle brands but also a number of brands that represent the sustainable future that Bayfair has been creating and advocating for since 2003.

Already with a presence in the Bay, Barkers will open its new Groom Room barbershop concept and Stirling Sports a brand-new store concept, a first in New Zealand. Rodd & Gunn and Max have expanded into brand-new, larger stores, and The Coffee Club and Dominos have returned to the centre.

On completion the centre will increase by 9,000m² to a total of 42,000m², and adds another 50 specialty stores, including a strong fashion mix new to the centre and the region, for a total of 150 stores.