Charlestown Square has released details of a planned $4.6 million redevelopment of its north-east corner after gaining development approval from Lake Macquarie City Council.
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The shopping centre’s owner, GPT Group, plans to bring bars, cafes and an outdoor performance space to the corner of Pearson and Ridley streets, although it said the project hinged on securing commitments from suitable tenants.
Charlestown Square general manager Dwight Hodgetts said the council approval was an important milestone for the project.
“The development will transform the existing space into an activated public leisure and dining area that celebrates on-trend and local food heroes and lifestyle operators,” he said.
“The revitalised precinct will showcase a mix of the Hunter’s best local eats and a range of health and wellbeing operators.
“It will also include extensive landscaping, public art installations, decorative lighting and spaces for mobile food vendors.”
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The redeveloped area has been designed for year-round use both day and night with heating for the outdoor seating areas and retractable roofs and awnings.
GPT has spent about $515 million since 2010 on two redevelopments which have increased the centre’s total leasable floor space to 89,000 square metres.
The centre says it attracts 14 million visitors a year, the most of any shopping centre in the region.
Westfield Kotara is in the middle of a $160 million redevelopment anchored by Zara and H&M fashion stores.
It opened its own $55 million dining and entertainment area, The Rooftop, in 2015.
