Home to the original athletes mess hall during the 1962 Empire Games, the Shopping Centre suffered a devastating fire in 2014 but has been carefully restored and significantly updated by GPA. The 2000sqm Centre located at 31 Gayton Road, City Beach now boasts a new class of premium retailers, anchored by a 1200sqm 24-hour fresh food-focused IGA developed by James Kelly, widely regarded as one of Australia’s premier independent supermarket operators.

GPA partnered with Lease Equity to secure a high-quality tenant mix over the remaining nine tenancies including returning retailers such as the award-winning The Groper and His Wife plus The Park & Vine Restaurant, Georges Café, Boulevard Pizzeria, Vintage Cellars, Fat Fish Ramen and Optimus Real Estate.

Masterplanned by Design Theory and managed by Kish Consulting, Empire Village is expected to trade strongly with an estimated 3.5 million vehicles passing the Centre each year travelling between the coast and the CBD.

Recognising the Centre’s role as a community hub, significant works were also undertaken by GPA to expand the Centre’s alfresco area and deliver additional car park spaces to accommodate the rise in patrons as well as the integration of design elements and fixtures that reference the site’s legacy within WA sporting folk law.

The launch of Empire Village expands GPA’s retail development portfolio and follows the completion of the Waterford Plaza redevelopment in 2010. GPA are currently finalising plans for the development of a 250-room hotel on Hay Street in the CBD with work anticipated to commence in early-mid 2017.

GPA Director Peter Artemiz said masterplanning of other wholly owned and partnered assets is also ongoing throughout Perth, as is periodic reinvestment in current assets to maintain their competitiveness in the current retail market.

“GPA has a strong focus on delivering quality both in design and function for all our developments and that directly responds to the aspirations of customers, the community and owners alike.” 

“Retail development is constantly evolving to keep pace with the changing tastes and lifestyles of consumers. Today, a strong desire for food, leisure and convenience-based shopping has seen retail development have to respond to reflect these changes.

“Empire Village is an example of the changing face of retail development, positioning it for future success while referencing the historical significance of the site,” said Mr Artemiz.

To celebrate the Centre’s official opening, Rio Olympians Steve Bird, Brant Garvey, Tamsin Cook and Brianna Throssell will join GPA Director Peter Artemiz as part of a special community Open Day held from 11am – 3pm on Saturday 5 November.