Auckland malls in for super-sized renovations

Only a few weeks after the new 100-store, 2.7ha megamall NorthWest opened at Westgate, plans have been launched for a big expansion of Westfield St Lukes. Impression / Supplied

A widespread makeover of Auckland's malls is gathering pace, with details emerging of plans for St Lukes, Downtown, Milford, Pakuranga and Sylvia Park.

Only a few weeks after the new 100-store, 2.7ha megamall NorthWest opened at Westgate, plans have been launched for a big expansion of Westfield St Lukes.

The work is on a non-notified basis which has angered civic representatives, fearing for Mt Albert and Pt Chevalier shops and communities and saying people are being locked out of the planning process.

The dining and entertainment scene in Auckland's central-west will be seriously elevated come November, with the opening of The Brickworks, a new high-end precinct at LynnMall Shopping Centre. Photo / Supplied

Today, Aucklanders will get the first real glimpse of Asian GYP Properties' plans for the Pakuranga Plaza and its growth as a new "urban village" with more than 900 apartments, new library and public areas, hotel, conference centre and much more.

Meanwhile, across at Milford, New Zealand Retail Property Group has unveiled the scale of its plans to build above the mall and in the carpark, also angering locals, who say the owner is going well beyond the scope of Private Plan Change 34 guidelines, which allow for 12 storeys and up to 254 apartments.

But Campbell Barbour of NZRPG says the plan change set only broad guidelines and planning rules allow for flexibility.

What Shore City could look when it is expanded from 1.3ha to more than 9ha of floor space. Impression / Supplied

Sylvia Park will later next year be home to the world's largest clothing brand, H&M, and owner Kiwi Property has a $200 million expansion planned there.

As at Milford, Kiwi will build in its valuable carparking areas.

Some Auckland councillors like Cathy Casey are questioning the effect of such strong mall growth on precious character-filled local shopping centres such as Mt Albert and Pt Chevalier.

But right-leaning councillor Cameron Brewer said people should not be afraid of mall growth which he regards as inevitable.

"Many people like malls - it's an outing, the free parking, they know the stores, and it's an easy, controlled environment.

"However, many people also prefer strip shopping, getting out on the street and supporting more individual and independent stores. I suspect most Kiwis will tell you they enjoy having the choice of both."