Merrifield City, the new town centre development by QICGRE in joint venture with Merrifield developers MAB Corporation and Gibson Property Corporation, opened its doors in Melbourne’s outer north on 2 December at 9am, marking a major milestone for the site and heralding a new era of convenience for residents.

Set on the 900-hectare Merrifield development site in Melbourne’s booming northern corridor, Victoria’s largest mixed-use masterplanned community welcomed the first stage of a new retail and lifestyle hub.

On 2 December, the primary stage of Merrifield City – part of a multi-year vision saw QICGRE, MAB and GPC deliver a town centre destination combining shopping, dining, civic and cultural experiences; and welcomed its first batch of lifestyle retailers, including the region’s first full-line Coles supermarket, just in time for the busy Christmas trading period.

Opening week at the centre will be a family-friendly affair marked with a range of celebrations and promotions designed to encourage the local community to explore the centre, meet new retailers and enjoy entertainment.

Daryl Stubbings, QICGRE’s Director – Australian Investment Management, says that the launch of the new shopping precinct, which is opening as scheduled despite the challenge of this year’s extensive Covid-related disruptions, marks a significant achievement for QICGRE.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to deliver this new precinct on time, as promised,” says Stubbings. “And to do so with over 95 per cent of the centre’s tenancies leased illustrates the high demand we’ve seen from retailers wanting to be a part of this exciting new project and to play a role in the evolution of this dynamic, fast-growing community.”

Stubbings adds that, along with providing much-needed convenience and lifestyle opportunities for residents, the project – QICGRE’s seventh Victorian centre – represents a boon for local employment. The initial phase of the development has generated over 1000 construction jobs and another 300 for ongoing retail personnel, and with more development afoot, that’s just the beginning.

“Over the next few years, the centre will evolve into a major retail and lifestyle hub for the region, offering a range of shopping, dining, civic and cultural experiences for this highly engaged and rapidly expanding community. This is a landmark moment for the development, and we are extremely pleased to see Merrifield City delivered in time for Christmas.”

Along with the highly anticipated arrival of Coles and Liquorland, the centre welcomed a curated mix of eight specialty operators, including beloved Australian brands such as Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses alongside local independents such as Indian grocery chain Quality Food Store. A second wave of retailer openings, which will include a Chemist Warehouse, is slated for the new year.

In 2016, Urbis reported that the population of Mickleham will increase by almost 470 per cent over the next two decades, exceeding 140,000 by 2041. The region’s burgeoning population, combined with the fact that the nearest shopping precinct currently over 10 kilometres away, will see Merrifield City play a vital role in the lives of locals, both today and tomorrow – providing everyday essentials and complementary services to enhance the suburb’s liveability.

Adding to the convenience, the centre will offer parking for 350 cars, ably serving residents along with staff and visitors from the neighbouring Merrifield Business Park.

Matthew Planner, General Manager Communities at MAB Corporation, states: “Together with around 5,000 Merrifield residents and workers, we are beyond thrilled to welcome this vital community hub in time for Christmas. There is no doubt that Merrifield City will play an integral role in truly progressing this new city in Melbourne’s north while providing the local community with hyper-convenient access to everyday goods and engaging leisure experiences.”