Today Newmarket Business Association CEO Mark Knoff-Thomas has welcomed news that Scentre Group is set to invest almost NZ$800 million dollars into Newmarket with the development of their Westfield properties on Broadway.

The development will incorporate multiple sites, over 4.5 hectares, and will be home to Auckland’s first David Jones department store, a new format Farmers department store, Countdown and over 230 new specialty stores.  In addition, Westfield Newmarket will showcase New Zealand’s best fashion, with a compelling mix of local and international designers, new-to-market brands and some of the most well-known retailers from New Zealand and Australia.

In addition, a rooftop lifestyle, dining and entertainment precinct will integrate a new state-of-the-art Event Cinemas complex offering V-Max and Gold Class. The development will also encompass some of the country’s finest food and beverage experiences in a vibrant outdoor environment, providing Newmarket’s local community and the wider Auckland population with an exceptional leisure and hospitality experience.

Newmarket Business Association CEO Mark Knoff-Thomas said: “It’s very exciting for Newmarket and the size and scale of the development is an endorsement of the strength of the position the precinct occupies as New Zealand’s pre-eminent retail destination. The new offering will also expand our consumer base, and firmly place Newmarket on the world shopping map. We know that from time-to-time consumers travel across the Tasman for a weekend shopping trip, and now they won’t have to – they can just come to Newmarket.”

Scentre Group Chief Operating Officer Greg Miles said: “We’re incredibly excited to be embarking on the transformation of Westfield Newmarket in collaboration with our joint venture partner, GIC.

On completion, Westfield Newmarket will represent a premium fashion, food, technology, lifestyle and entertainment experience unrivalled in New Zealand. Westfield Newmarket will become the flagship “living centre” for the Group’s New Zealand portfolio and set a new benchmark in extraordinary retail and lifestyle destinations.”

David Jones CEO David Thomas said “We know New Zealanders are well-travelled and fashion savvy with an appetite for international brands and world-class shopping experiences. We are focussed on exceeding these expectations when we open our first Auckland store as part of the exciting new Westfield Newmarket redevelopment. Our store will combine the best of New Zealand and international brands curated specifically for the discerning local market with our range of premium instore services, delivering an unparalleled experience to the region.”

The new Westfield Newmarket will have a gross lettable area of 73,900 square metres and is due for completion in the fourth quarter of 2019.