Construction on the NZ$220 million expansion of New Zealand’s largest shopping centre, Sylvia Park, is underway.

The expansion, which is slated to be completed by mid-2020, will add 18,000sqm of retail space to the shopping centre, bringing it to a total of 90,000sqm.

The galleria’s expansion, designed by Australasian design firm The Buchan Group, will include 60 new specialty retail tenancies, a signature dining/café court, an 8000sqm two-level department store and more than 600 additional car spaces.

The centre is now zoned in Auckland Council’s new Unitary Plan as a Metropolitan Centre.

Robert McFarlane, The Buchan Group Auckland principal, said the expansion provides an additional second level to an existing single level shopping precinct, a department store, and a five-level car park.

“The galleria’s design gives clear views inside – free of any visible structure – allowing customers to effortlessly orientate and move through the space with no need for extensive signs or wayfinding,” McFarlane said.

“A new café and restaurant precinct will also form part of the expansion, offering a new level of sophistication in dining experience within a shopping environment.”

McFarlane said the form and finishes of the interior would provide a backdrop that was simple, calm and elegant.

“It will be a balance to the variety of colours and materials used by the different retailers on their shopfronts and in their stores,” he said. “During the day the Galleria will be flooded with diffused natural daylight through a continuous line of skylights in the roof, stretching from end to end. 

“At night discrete, unseen light sources will up-light the curved surfaces of the ceilings providing an even glow and unique soft ambience in the space – a counterpoint to the drama and visual excitement of the shops.”

The Buchan Group was also appointed by Sylvia Park owner Kiwi Property Group to carry out the design and on-site upgrade of the NZ$9.1 million expansion at Sylvia Park to accommodate six new restaurants, a new square and dining lane.  

Works were completed in December 2017 on the dining area, dubbed The Grove.

The shopping centre has more than 200 retailers, including the country’s only Zara store and a flagship H&M store.