Knox City Shopping Centre
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| Location | Wantirna South, Victoria, Australia |
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| Opening date | Knox City: 1977 Knox Ozone: 2002 |
| Developer | AMP Capital Shopping Centres |
| Management | Stephen Rowe |
| Owner | 20% Australian Core Property Portfolio |
| No. of stores and services | 350 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 12 |
| Total retail floor area | 142,244 m² |
| Parking | 6,344 |
| No. of floors | 2 (4 in Myer, 2 in O-Zone with Village Cinemas) |
| Website | knoxcity.com.au |
Knox City Shopping Centre is a major shopping centre complex located on the corner of Stud Road and Burwood Highway in the Melbourne suburb of Wantirna South, Australia. Incorporating both a conventional indoor shopping centre and an outdoor shopping strip (known as Knox O-Zone), the complex is the largest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere when measured by lettable floor space with 142,674m2 of area available.
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[edit] History
Planning for the development of the shopping centre commenced in 1972 when McIntyre, McIntyre and Partners Pty. Ltd. won a $30 million tender from the AMP Society to design the new complex in Wantirna South. Their successful design led to the construction of a Brutalist style building. Architect Peter McIntyre was given the Buildings Award Medal by the Victorian Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects in 1978 for the design of Knox City Shopping Centre.
Construction commenced in 1975 when the shopping centre was originally going to be named 'Studwood Shopping Centre', however this name was later abandoned. The shopping centre was officially opened on November 9, 1977. The centre originally included a three-storey Myer department store, a twin Dendy Cinemas complex, public library, Target department store, Target supermarket, McEwans hardware and 83 speciality shops. A four-story office tower was constructed on the south side of the building at the same time.
Throughout 1989 and 1990, the centre was doubled in size and the original section completely refurbished. A fourth floor was added to the Myer store, the undercover carparks were expanded and a new promenade, market and food court were added. The twin cinemas were replaced with a 10-screen Village Cinemas complex. On the adjacent block an outdoor shopping centre was established, known as the Knox District Centre (later Knox Towerpoint and now Knox O-zone).
The late 1990s saw a minor refurbishment of the centre. An updated logo was introduced, along with new signage to complement. The food court was remodelled and introduced food decorations on the walls above the food outlets, palm trees, new tables and chairs as well as the opening of Hungry Jack's. Lincraft was also relocated when McEwans closed down, however it itself has closed down to make way for a new Harris Scarfe store. Best & Less moved into Lincraft's old retail space. The Reject Shop also moved from opposite Coles to The Market area.
In 2002, the centre was extended further at a cost of $150 million. The Knox Towerpoint complex was renamed Knox O-zone and joined to Knox City Shopping Centre through an expansion of the shopping centre eastwards and redevelopment of the O-zone shops. The eastern section of the centre was completely redeveloped and the exterior of the shopping centre painted. The combination of Knox City Shopping Centre and Knox O-zone combine to a total of 142,422 square metres, making it the largest shopping centre in Melbourne by area. Currently there are over 350 retailers throughout the complex and 6,391 car parking spaces available.
Major stores include Myer, 2 Coles, Kmart, Target, Lincraft, Harvey Norman, Dick Smith PowerHouse, Borders Books and Music, Toys R Us, Rebel Sport, JB Hi-Fi, Virgin Music, Blockbuster, and a fifteen screen Village Cinemas Complex. However there is no Woolworths or Safeway (Australia's largest supermarket) there. It is likely that one will open in the future.
Eateries also at Knox Shopping Centre include two KFC and Hungry Jack's outlets, McDonalds, Red Rooster, Nando's, Subway, Krispy Kreme along with many smaller outlets. Knox Tavern is also located within the Knox O-Zone complex, along with two other popular bars. The Knox O-Zone complex also houses several community services including medical and dental services, Centrelink and a RACV shop. O-Zone also encompasses an AMF Bowling Center and Fitness First gym. '
In case of an emergency at Knox City Shopping Centre, Boronia Fire Brigade is the primary Brigade to respond, along with Support from Bayswater Fire Brigade, Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade, Upwey Fire Brigade, Belgrave Fire Brigade & Scoresby Fire Brigade. The supporting Brigades will usually respond their Pumper.
[edit] Transport
A large bus shelter outside the main entrance was built in 1999 in the location of the original 1977 bus terminus, to accommodate buses travelling on routes to Waverley Gardens Shopping Centre, Dandenong station and Rowville. The buses had been relocated to the east of the centre in 1990, where Melbourne Circle currently stands.
[edit] Filming
The mall has been utilised as a filming location a number of times in recent years for the Australian television soap, Neighbours, particularly the Village Cinemas entrance.
[edit] References
- Quarry, N. (1978) Knox City Shopping Centre: A review. Australian Architecture 67 (5): 68
