AUSTRALIA’S second largest shopping centre could be built in north-west Sydney under plans by a major development company.

Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) is planning to redevelop the existing Castle Towers shopping centre, adding a further 80,000sq m at a cost more than $911 million.

Castle Towers, originally built in 1979 and updated in 1991, is one of the best performing malls in the country, with an annual turnover of $670 million.

QIC is seeking approval to demolish the centre south of Target and David Jones, the sky bridge over Castle St and the Piazza building.

A new extension would then be built including a four-storey space fronting Pennant St to the west, incorporating a food court, speciality stores and restaurants.

No construction time frame has been set for the development.

Australia’s largest shopping centre is in Chadstone, Melbourne, and contains 510 stores and more than 9300 free car parking spaces.

media_camera An artists impression of the new development, seen from the corner of Pennant St and Showground Rd. Source: + one studio

The northern part of the centre including Myer, Target and David Jones will be retained or modified.

QIC Global Real Estate managing director Steven Leigh said plans would be put in place to ensure the proposed development works are staged to minimise impacts.

“Castle Towers will remain open for business throughout the proposed development outlined in the development application,” he said.

The development application, lodged with The Hills Shire Council on December 23, is markedly different from the initial plan approved by council in 2011.

The proposal also presents a radical departure from the concept plans shown to the Hills Shire Times in June last year.

media_camera The sections of Castle Towers that owners QIC proposes to demolish, replace, refurbish, retain and extend.

Those plans revealed minor changes would be made to the existing facade and rooftop of the building.

The extension was going to see the centre expand to take in the old Castle Hill Public School site (site B) bordered by Showground Rd, Kentwell Ave and Pennant St, next to the Castle Grand.

Current plans show the redevelopment will be restricted to the site which houses the cinema and Piazza, and the existing centre bounded by Castle St, Old Castle Hill Rd and Pennant St.

Castle Towers

According to documents lodged in council, the new proposal “reduces the sprawl of the centre, leaving ‘site B’ free for future commercial or residential development.

Mr Leigh said QIC’s new proposal better responds to the region’s consistent strong growth in both population and housing, which is driving the need for increased services and infrastructure in the area.

“The proposed transformation of Castle Towers will redefine the centre and position it as a world class integrated retail, entertainment and leisure destination,” he said.

“It responds to the changing market conditions and consumer demand for increased access to broader markets and authentic social experiences.”