Burwood One

Coordinates: 37°51′12″S 145°08′59″E / 37.8534°S 145.1498°E / -37.8534; 145.1498

Burwood One (formerly known as Kmart Plaza and originally Kmart Burwood) is a sub regional shopping centre located in the eastern suburb of Burwood East in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Owned and managed by Fitzroys, the centre is the site of the first Kmart to be built in Australia, opening on 30 April 1969. The site originally consisted of the primary Kmart discount department store and an integrated Kmart Food supermarket. Over the years the complex has been redeveloped twice, with speciality stores added, more car parking and a relocated and expanded supermarket.

History

Beginnings

There was much anticipation when Kmart first opened its doors on 30 April 1969. Australians had not heard of a retail format such as Kmart before, which in turn generated a very large amount of interest. Before the doors were opened for the first time, 5000 people were waiting outside. Once the doors opened, they were closed 45 minutes after opening due to overcrowding. By the end of the day, an estimated 40,000 people had been through the checkouts. For the next 25 years, the complex only went through minor changes, such as the Kmart and Kmart Food stores being rebranded as a Super Kmart in the mid 1980s before a wall was put up between the groceries and general merchandise sections and turned into separate Kmart and Coles stores.

First redevelopment: 1997

In 1996, it was announced that the Kmart Burwood complex would be redeveloped with the addition of specialty stores in a strip mall format in front of Kmart as well as a small indoor mall in front of Coles. Kmart received a major renovation and extension with a new, large garden and outdoor department. Coles was also given a minor expansion as well as a renovation. Kmart Tyre and Auto Service was relocated from the back to the front of the complex, along with a reconstructed upper car park, with the lower car park left as is. Kmart and Coles also introduced 24-hour trading of their stores, a practice that continues to this day. The complex was also given the name of Kmart Plaza, named after the major tenant of the complex.

Second redevelopment: 2011

In 2010, a second redevelopment of the complex was announced. The development finished in 2012, with major features including the removal of the lower car park, with a new indoor shopping mall built on top, with two levels of undercover car parking located below. This mall included a new large format Coles Supermarket (relocated from its former retail space) as well as numerous new specialty and food outlets. Aldi, The Reject Shop and Guardian Medical Centre (relocated to make way for the new mall) moved into the space vacated by the former Coles and Liquorland. In addition, a 1st Choice Liquor Superstore was constructed on the north east corner of the complex, and construction of a restaurant on top of this store are under way. The upper car park was reconstructed for the second time and Kmart Tyre and Auto Service relocated to the new undercover car park. The complex was renamed 'Burwood One' a reference to the first Kmart to be built in Australia, as well as the internal store code (1001) used by the store.

Retailers

Major anchors

• Kmart discount department store. (Opened 30 April 1969. 8,105 m² (87,240 sq ft).)
• Coles supermarket. (Opened 30 April 1969. Relocated store opened 1 September 2011. 5,500 m² (59,000 sq ft).)

Minor anchors

• Aldi supermarket. (Opened July 4, 2012. 1,525 m² (16,410 sq ft).)
• 1st Choice Liquor Superstore alcohol warehouse. (Opening Early 2012. 1,260 m² (13,600 sq ft).)
• The Reject Shop discount variety store. (Opened July 4, 2012. 650 m² (7,000 sq ft).)
• Re-creation Health Club gymnasium. (Opened January 23, 2012). 2,030 m² (21,900 sq ft).)
• Flight Centre

Transport

Burwood One provides free timed parking for approximately 970 vehicles with one level of outdoor and two levels of undercover parking. The complex is served by a tram route and four bus routes.

Parking

The complex consists of two parking areas. An outdoor single level of parking which can accommodate ~420 vehicles that can be accessed from Blackburn Road and Burwood Highway is located outside Kmart. Two levels of undercover parking which can accommodate ~550 vehicles is located under Coles and is accessed from Burwood Highway.

Public transport

Tram Route 75 runs directly outside the north side of Burwood One and can be accessed by platform stops at the Blackburn Road / Burwood Highway intersection. The SmartBus route 703 and regular bus route 736 run along Blackburn Road (east side of centre). Regular bus routes 732 and 735 run along Burwood Highway (north side of centre). There is no designated drop-off/pick-up area for taxis.

External links

• Official Website