Reinventing the corner store

Penrith communities will benefit from a new breed of shopping centre from as early as next year.

With an emphasis on place making and sustainability, Caddens Corner and the proposed Glenmore Village are positioning themselves as the “third place” – the place you go when you’re not at home or at work.

Construction on Caddens Corner, started last month. Kaipara Property Group is managing the development and, according to joint Managing Director Toby Daniel, the new low-line, open shopping village will provide local residents with “a centre of activity and an attractive place to meet”.

As well as the usual anchor supermarket and specialty store, the 9,000sqm retail space will include a gym, a medical centre and a childcare centre. It will also offer a food and dining precinct complete with scope for musicians to perform, a fire pit, natural play features and a water play area for children.

“A brewery partner is also being sought to launch a taproom and restaurant with outdoor seating,” Mr Daniel said. “Caddens Corner will be a place where people can get everything they need under the one roof and where they will want to spend time.”

The shopping centre is being built on land owned by Western Sydney University.

WSU Vice President Finance and Resources Peter Pickering said the project was part of the university’s Western Growth Strategy – a program of works to reshape the campus network.

“Caddens Corner forms part of our broader Penrith campus masterplan and Werrington redevelopment,” he said. “Our Penrith campus is set to become a cornerstone of the city’s health and education precinct The Quarter – a place where people can live, learn and work in a community with connectivity, facilities for industry and retail, open space and a high level of amenity.”  

Mr Pickering said Caddens Corner’s sustainable, 5-Star Green Star – Design & As Built credentials would be important to its success.

“The centre will be built from sustainable materials, with power supplied by extensive solar panels,” he said. “The design incorporates natural ventilation, allows for rainwater to be harvested to maintain landscaping and includes solar powered lighting in the carpark.”

The carpark will also include four charging stations for electric vehicles and, for cyclists, bike storage, change and shower facilities.

Mr Daniel agreed that, given the growth expected in Western Sydney, it was increasingly important for developments like Caddens Corner to exceed sustainability standards.

“Not only does it make sense from an environmental perspective, it ticks the boxes for consumers who are increasingly expressing their activism through where they choose to spend their money.”

Similar “third place” ideas have shaped the design and application for a four-storey development in Glenmore Park to create a town centre for the Mulgoa Rise area.

The development application was lodged at Penrith Council earlier this year and will be reported to the Sydney Western City Planning Panel for determination.

The $47 million development is proposed for 90-96 Glenmore Ridge Drive, currently a vacant block of land opposite homes in Mulgoa Rise.

Called Glenmore Village, the proposed centre will include three residential levels with 147 apartments.

If approved it will bring together a range of services including a ground floor retail market place with cafes and restaurants, a supermarket, a childcare centre, gym, swim school and a small car wash.