Westfield plans Penrith expansion

WESTFIELD positioning as major community destination for entertainment and leisure will be further enhanced by a new $18M expansion at the Penrith complex Scentre Group, the owner of the Westfield shopping centre chain, has lodged plans for the expansion to its Penrith complex, aiming to make it a “leading entertainment and leisure precinct.

Westfield’s company vision is: Creating destinations that reflect and support our communities.

Leading web site Urban Developer reported the redevelopment, at 565-595 High St partnered Sentre with the GPT Group, as well as planners Urbis.

The application, lodged with Penrith

City Council recently aims to “revitalise and activate” the existing shopping centre and establish a night-time economy in Penrith.

It will feature a new three-level dining precinct in addition to expanding the cinematic offering of Hoyts.

The application seeks approval for refurbishment works to the cinema, adding two new Lux Cinema auditoriums and a lounge.

The plan would also include a reconfiguration of its Riley St Entrance and dining precinct, making room for three new restaurants.

The revamp aims to “establish the identity of the new dining precinct and expanded cinema offering”, adding a further five retail tenancies to the section.

Boosting the night-time economy was a priority of the Penrith Local Strategic Planning Statement, which said that a greater focus should be placed on diversifying offerings to expand visiting hours into the night.

Penrith Westfield Shopping Centre is one of the largest regional shopping centres in Western Sydney, catering to a population of around 477,000 and has undergone a number of refurbishments in recent years.

Westfield Penrith was formerly Penrith Plaza and opened in March 1971 with Myer as lead tenant and was sold to the General Property Trust (GPT) in April 1971.

In early 2005, GPT reached agreement with the Westfield Group to sell 50% of Penrith Plaza after which it became known as Westfield Penrith.

Sources: Urban Developer, Wikipedia