Today, Thursday 2 May is a momentous day in east Auckland as the retail, entertainment and hospitality hub Botany Town Centre unveils the first and largest stage of a NZ$78 million development. The development is being managed by AMP Capital on behalf of the centre’s owners and is expected to be complete by the end of this year.
Auckland Mayor Phil Goff
The extensive development expands the centre to 62,700m2, including an extension to the Fashion Pavilions which will see the number of tenancies grow to more than 200 stores including new fashion and lifestyle brands.
This follows the completed refurbishment of Hoyts Cinemas, now with more than 1,000 luxurious powered recliner cinema seats, and there is an extended landscaped area outside the Pavilions which includes a children’s play area and seating for dining. In addition, current upgrades are underway to enclose the outdoor area of Garden Lane. This is targeted to open in spring. Through the next stages we will also welcome new food, leisure and entertainment providers.
Local Auckland residents gathered for the anticipated opening
Among the new retailers formally opening at the centre in the coming month, Botany Town Centre is welcoming Australian super-retailer Mecca Maxima and the international fashion retailer H&M.
AMP Capital Managing Director Shopping Centres Mark Kirkland said; “Botany Town Centre which we manage on behalf of its owners, is a key retail, entertainment and community hub in the greater Auckland region, and investment was crucial to ensure the centre remains a desirable destination that meets the needs of a diverse and growing community.
“AMP Capital is pleased to unveil the first stage of the development and deliver a premier shopping centre experience for our customers, retailers and investors. Thank you to the owners for their investment in this development and their support for the centre”, he said.
“This first and largest stage of the development offers an improved expanded space to bring customers together with some of the best local and international retailers New Zealand has to offer. The degree of interest from popular brands here and globally, which can have their pick of tenancies, is indicative of the wide appeal of a refurbished Botany Town Centre. The centre is developing from a strong footprint and combining what’s new with the best of the established centre.”, he continued.
Mark Kirkland and Nick Cobham, AMP Capital
AMP Capital expects the development to boost Auckland’s economy and retail sector. The construction phase has created upwards of 100 jobs and on completion, it is estimated the centre and its retailers will employ a total of 2,185 people, with circa 1,200 people at work on any given day. A number of new jobs have been created for younger generations, with retail jobs providing employment for university and school students, and in some cases providing a second family income.
The centre is welcoming a number of new fashion, service, lifestyle and food and beverage stores which will complement and enhance the already strong offering at Botany.
Mark Kirkland, Managing Director, AMP Capital
New retailers include H&M, Mecca Maxima, Decjuba, The Cosmetic Clinic, Platypus, Presshouse, Stewart Dawson, Westpac and Sushi Sushi – a successful and fast-growing Australian chain which is making its first foray into New Zealand at Botany Town Centre. Coming to the centre but opening later in the month, is Starbucks and Postie (both previous tenants returning to the new-look centre), Paparich, Gong Cha, Connor and Sunglass Hut. Existing retailers Hallensteins, Pandora and Novo will also be opening new-look stores.
H&M officially opens
Naylor Love construction is the main contractor for the project.
