THE developers of the $12m Coles Supermarket complex have revealed the project is generating interest from national and local retail companies.
While the last remnants of the former Target store disappear from the city’s landscape, the Coles shopping centre – which will house 10 speciality shops – is foreshadowed to be completed in June.
The demolition of the expansive Target store has been under way for a week with the site now resembling a makeshift quarry of crumbled stone, twisted steel and broken timber.
The development is part of a $19m building boom on the former Fidler and Webb site, which includes the separate $6.8m ALDI development at the front of the site.
Melbourne-based developer Campbell Blennerhassett – from GLG – said yesterday the development was attracting national interest among national retailers.
“We have been approached by local and national retailers,” Mr Blennerhassett told The Border Watch.
Transforming the site into a prominent and contemporary retail hub, he said a number of national and local retailers had also shown interest in relocating to the site from other precincts in Mount Gambier.
Explaining the demolition works were “on track”, he said the site preparations and then construction works would follow.
The demolition, site preparations and construction were all being undertaken “under the one contract”.
“The weather has not at all held up any of the demolition works,” Mr Blennerhassett added.
While the company had been approached by a number of potential tenants, he said the company had yet to start a “marketing campaign” regarding the retail opportunities available in the complex.
This centre will house a modern Coles supermarket and 10 speciality shops – the largest of these spaces will be occupied with a liquor store.
Mr Blennerhassett said significant work had been poured into the plans to ensure this development “really worked for the people who shopped there”.
“This is a great outcome for Mount Gambier. The new Coles supermarkets are a great place to shop.”
According to the detailed plans lodged with council, the future tenants of the speciality shops were not known as this stage.
“It is anticipated that complementary retail and other commercial businesses – such as bakery, fruit and vegetables, hairdresser, travel, cafe/takeaway and the like – will be interested in the tenancies,” according to the development plan.
The balance of the site will incorporate car-parking, pedestrian walkways and landscaping.
“This proposal seeks to redevelop a large strategically located site within the centre of Mount Gambier,” the development application report said.
“It will reinvigorate the retail offering and pedestrian experience.”
The blueprint proposes the new building will be sited in the north-east corner of the site, adjacent Compton Street.
“The overall scheme is a contemporary, unified design which incorporates variable materials, form and height to create visual interest,” according to the application.
The development will include 326 carpark spaces, which is above the requirement.
“The site has been designed to accommodate safe and convenient vehicle access, egress and circulation,” the document said.
The Target store demolition ends a 50-year presence in the Blue Lake city by the national retailer.
The ALDI warehouse, which includes four separate retail spaces – is due to be completed in November.
The future of the current Coles Supermarket building is not known.
