Knox City Shopping Centre - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Knox City Shopping Centre is a super-regional shopping centre and outdoor entertainment complex located in the outer eastern suburb of Wantirna South

Wantirna South, Victoria

Wantirna South is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 24 km south-east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Knox, Wantirna South is a border suburb to City of Whitehorse and City of Monash. At the 2006 Census, Wantirna South had a population...

in the city of Melbourne

Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

. The centre opened on November 9, 1977 with an initial 88 stores and 2300 parking spaces. Presently, there are over 350 stores and over 6300 free car parking spaces, making the centre the second largest in Australia

Australia

in terms of gross leasable area

Gross leasable area

Gross leasable area in the retail development industry is a term applied to shopping malls, lifestyle centers, outlet malls and other retail centers to indicate the amount of floor space available to be rented...

. The centre boasts major anchor stores such as the Myer

Myer

Myer is Australia's largest department store chain, retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories; cosmetics and fragrance; homewares; electrical; furniture and bedding; toys; books and stationery; food and confectionery; and...

and Harris Scarfe

Harris Scarfe

Harris Scarfe Department Stores was founded in Adelaide, South Australia in 1849. At its peak, Adelaide was home to several major South Australian department stores , of which Harris Scarfe is the sole...

department stores, two Coles

Coles Supermarkets

Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741...

supermarkets, Kmart

Kmart Australia

Kmart Australia Limited is a discount department store chain owned by Wesfarmers. It operates 172 stores in Australia and 15 in New Zealand, with its head office located in Mulgrave, Victoria. Wesfarmers uses the Kmart name under licence from Sears Holdings Corporation.-History:Kmart Australia...

and Target discount department stores as well as a Village Cinemas

Village Cinemas

Village Cinemas is an Australian cinema chain. Its Australian sites are owned and operated by Village Roadshow-Amalgamated Holdings Limited joint venture Australian Theatres. The group has rebranded several of its premier Australian and New Zealand cinemas as Event Cinemas since 2009. Village...

15 screen multiplex, an AMF

AMF Bowling Center

AMF Bowling Centers, Inc. is the world's largest owner and operator of bowling centers, employing more than 10,000 people. The centers offer multi-lane Ten-pin bowling for all ages, support league play, and local events such as Dollar Mania and Late Night College Fest as well as Xtreme Bowling...

bowling alley, a public library

Library

In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...

, a Toys 'R' US, Dick Smith

Dick Smith Electronics

Dick Smith is an international electronics retailer, founded in 1968 by Richard "Dick" Smith. Today, it is a subsidiary of Woolworths Limited, incorporating Tandy, and the remaining Dick Smith Powerhouse Stores...

, Harvey Norman

Harvey Norman

Harvey Norman is a large Australian-based retailer of electrical, computer, furniture, entertainment and bedding goods. It is effectively a franchise and the main brand owned by Harvey Norman Holdings Limited...

JB Hi-Fi

JB Hi-Fi is an Australian CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, video game and consumer electronics chain store.-History:JB Hi-Fi was established in Melbourne suburb of Keilor East by John Barbuto in 1974...

and Retravision

Retravision

Retravision is an Australian-based retailer of computers and electronics. Retravision has stores right across Australia, many in regional and country towns.- History :...

electronics stores and over 350 specialty stores and restaurants, There are also a 7 storey office tower located at the southern side of the centre as well as low rise offices dotting the O-Zone precinct. as well as an indoor food court

Food court

A food court is generally an indoor plaza or common area within a facility that is contiguous with the counters of multiple food vendors and provides a common area for self-serve dining. Food courts may be found in shopping malls and airports, and in various regions may be a standalone development...

and an outdoor restaurant strip mall.

History

Planning for the development of the shopping centre commenced in 1972 when McIntyre, McIntyre and Partners Pty. Ltd. won a $30 million tender from the AMP

AMP Limited

AMP Limited is an Australian financial corporation. It operates primarily in Australia and New Zealand. AMP formed in 1849 as the Australian Mutual Provident Society, a non-profit life insurance company. In 1998 it was demutualised and listed on the Australian and New Zealand stock exchanges...

Society to design the new complex in Wantirna South. Their successful design led to the construction of a Brutalist style

Brutalist architecture

Brutalist architecture is a style of architecture which flourished from the 1950s to the mid 1970s, spawned from the modernist architectural movement.-The term "brutalism":...

building. Architect Peter McIntyre

Peter McIntyre (architect)

Peter McIntyre is an Australian architect, educator and Practice Director of McIntyre Partnership Pty Ltd. Peter McIntyre (born 24 August 1927) is an Australian architect, educator and Practice Director of McIntyre Partnership Pty Ltd. Peter McIntyre (born 24 August 1927) is an Australian...

was given the Buildings Award Medal by the Victorian Chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects

Royal Australian Institute of Architects

The Australian Institute of Architects is a professional body for architects in Australia. Until August 2008, the Institute traded as the "Royal Australian Institute of Architects", which remains its official name....

in 1978 for the design of Knox City Shopping Centre.

Construction commenced in 1975 when the shopping centre was originally going to be named 'Studwood Shopping Centre', however this name was later abandoned. The shopping centre was officially opened on November 9, 1977. The centre originally included a four-storey Myer

Myer

department store, a twin Dendy Cinemas complex, public library, Target department store, Target supermarket, McEwans hardware and 83 speciality shops. A four-story office tower was constructed on the south side of the building at the same time.

Throughout 1989 and 1990, the centre was doubled in size and the original section completely refurbished. A fourth floor was added to the Myer store, the undercover carparks were expanded and a new promenade, market and food court were added. The twin cinemas were replaced with a 15-screen Village Cinemas complex, which opened in 1988. On the adjacent block an outdoor shopping centre was established, known as the Knox District Centre (later Knox Towerpoint and now Knox O-zone).

During 1997, the centre saw a minor refurbishment. An updated logo was introduced, along with new signage to complement. The food court was remodelled and introduced food decorations on the walls above the food outlets, palm trees, new tables and chairs as well as the opening of Hungry Jack's

Hungry Jack's

Hungry Jack's Pty Ltd, often colloquially abbreviated to HJ's, Hungry's or Hungie's, is the exclusive Australian master fast food franchisee of Burger King Corporation. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Competitive Foods Australia, a privately held company owned by Jack Cowin...

. Lincraft

Lincraft

Lincraft is a retail chain in Australia that specialises in the sale of homewares, including crafts, material, and patterns. As of May 2009, it has 44 locations around Australia.Lincraft was founded in 1938 by Leo Ross as a stall shop in Melbourne....

was also relocated when McEwans closed down, however it itself has closed down to make way for a new Harris Scarfe in October 2009. Best & Less moved into Lincraft's old retail space. The Reject Shop

The Reject Shop

The Reject Shop is an Australian discount variety store chain. Founded in 1981 as a "seconds" store in South Yarra, Victoria, the company currently operates over 190 stores in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and Australian Capital Territory...

also moved from opposite Coles to The Market area.

In 2002, the centre was extended further at a cost of $150 million. The Knox Towerpoint complex was renamed Knox O-zone and joined to Knox City Shopping Centre through an expansion of the shopping centre eastwards and redevelopment of the O-zone shops. The eastern section of the centre was completely redeveloped, which opened on October 17, 2002 with the new Knox O-Zone opening on October 31. The exterior of the existing shopping centre was also painted. Currently there are over 350 retailers throughout the complex and 6,391 car parking spaces available.

Major stores include

4 level Myer
Myer
Myer is Australia's largest department store chain, retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories; cosmetics and fragrance; homewares; electrical; furniture and bedding; toys; books and stationery; food and confectionery; and...

department store
2 Coles
Coles Supermarkets
Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741...
Kmart
Kmart Australia
Kmart Australia Limited is a discount department store chain owned by Wesfarmers. It operates 172 stores in Australia and 15 in New Zealand, with its head office located in Mulgrave, Victoria. Wesfarmers uses the Kmart name under licence from Sears Holdings Corporation.-History:Kmart Australia...

,
Target
Target (Australia)
Target Australia Pty Ltd is an Australian department store chain owned by Wesfarmers . It operates 172 Target stores and 119 Target Country stores making 291 combined stores with its head office located in North Geelong, Victoria. It sells clothing, cosmetics, toys, homewares, electrical and...

,
Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe Department Stores was founded in Adelaide, South Australia in 1849. At its peak, Adelaide was home to several major South Australian department stores , of which Harris Scarfe is the sole...

,
Harvey Norman
Harvey Norman
Harvey Norman is a large Australian-based retailer of electrical, computer, furniture, entertainment and bedding goods. It is effectively a franchise and the main brand owned by Harvey Norman Holdings Limited...

,
Dick Smith PowerHouse
Dick Smith Electronics
Dick Smith is an international electronics retailer, founded in 1968 by Richard "Dick" Smith. Today, it is a subsidiary of Woolworths Limited, incorporating Tandy, and the remaining Dick Smith Powerhouse Stores...

,
Borders Books and Music,
Toys R Us,
Rebel Sport,
JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi
JB Hi-Fi is an Australian CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, video game and consumer electronics chain store.-History:JB Hi-Fi was established in Melbourne suburb of Keilor East by John Barbuto in 1974...

,
Virgin Music,
Blockbuster
15 screen Village Cinemas
Village Cinemas
Village Cinemas is an Australian cinema chain. Its Australian sites are owned and operated by Village Roadshow-Amalgamated Holdings Limited joint venture Australian Theatres. The group has rebranded several of its premier Australian and New Zealand cinemas as Event Cinemas since 2009. Village...

Complex.

Eateries also at Knox Shopping Centre include two KFC

KFC

KFC, founded and also known as Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants based in Louisville, Kentucky, in the United States. KFC has been a brand and operating segment, termed a concept of Yum! Brands since 1997 when that company was spun off from PepsiCo as Tricon Global...

and Hungry Jack's

Hungry Jack's

outlets, McDonalds, Red Rooster

Red Rooster

Red Rooster is an Australian fast food restaurant chain. Red Rooster specialises in selling roasted chicken and other related products.- History :...

, Nando's

Nando's

Nando's is a casual dining restaurant group originating from South Africa with a Portuguese/Mozambican theme. Founded in 1987, Nando's operates in thirty countries on five continents....

, Subway

Subway (restaurant)

Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...

, along with many smaller outlets. Knox Tavern is also located within the Knox O-Zone complex, along with two other popular bars. The Knox O-Zone complex also houses several community services including medical and dental services, Centrelink

Centrelink

Centrelink is the trading name of the Commonwealth Service Delivery Agency , a statutory authority responsible for delivering human services on behalf of agencies of the Commonwealth Government of Australia. The majority of Centrelink's services are the disbursement of social security payments...

and a RACV shop. O-Zone also encompasses an AMF Bowling Center

AMF Bowling Center

and Fitness First gym. '

In case of an emergency at Knox City Shopping Centre, Boronia Fire Brigade is the primary Brigade to respond, along with Support from Bayswater Fire Brigade, Ferntree Gully Fire Brigade & Scoresby Fire Brigade.

Transport

Knox City Shopping Centre provides parking for around 6300 vehicles and is serviced by 11 bus routes and taxis.

Parking

Parking at the centre is free, however some parking has a three hour time limit. Out of the 6300 car parks, approximately 2700 are undercover. Along the southern fringe of the shopping centre is a two deck car park with centre entrances to both levels scattered throughout. A two deck car park is also located at the rear of the centre with entrances to the Gallery North and Loft malls. The majority of disabled car parks are located on the top deck of this car park near the Loft entrance. A four level multi-deck car park is located near Village Cinemas in Knox O-Zone along with open air street parking scattered throughout the complex. An overflow car park is located at the very east of the centre behind the four level multi-deck car park, with an extended overflow grass area adjacent to this car park.

Public transport

Knox City is directly serviced by SmartBus

SmartBus

SmartBus is a series of bus routes operating in the city of Melbourne, Australia. Undertaken as a part of Metlink, the program seeks to eventually establish a series of key suburban bus routes, and orbital bus routes around Melbourne...

route 901 as well as 10 regular bus routes (664, 681, 682, 732, 737, 738, 745, 755, 757, 758), with the bus interchange located outside the main level two entrance to the centre at the southern side of the centre. The 732 bus service provides a guaranteed connection to every tram at Vermont South

Melbourne tram route 75

Tram route 75 is a public transport service in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It runs from the corner of Spencer Street and La Trobe Street in the city centre to Vermont South in the eastern suburbs....

to and from Knox City. The current bus interchange opened on August 27, 2001 in the same location as the original 1977 bus interchange, after the old interchange between Knox City and Knox O-Zone on Melbourne Street (where Melbourne Circle is currently located) shut down the day before. Two taxi ranks service the centre. A primary taxi rank which is located adjacent to the bus interchange and a secondary taxi rank operates late at night in Knox O-Zone outside The Comedy Club.

Filming

The mall has been utilised as a filming location a number of times in recent years for the Australian television soap, Neighbours

Neighbours

Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...

, particularly the Village Cinemas

Village Cinemas

entrance.

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