When the doors were finally thrown open to the impressive new $800m development of Karrinyup in late October, the queues were a gratifying sign of a strong endorsement for the project’s vision: to deliver Perth’s best destination retail, lifestyle and entertainment venue for 2021 and beyond.
Proven Project Management and Rowe Group were key to the delivery of this complex project’s delivery. Working with Karrinyup, construction partners Multiplex, and 42 consultancy organisations, it was perhaps one of the most comprehensive projects for Proven to oversee in recent memory.
Chris West, project manager at Proven Project Management reflected that over the project lifespan, it has been an intensely rewarding experience.
“It has been gratifying to see the project through to completion since its initiation. Since then, we have been challenged with navigating fluctuating economic conditions, working around an existing retail site, and the COVID-19 pandemic and recent labour and materials shortages impacting the WA market in 2021,” he said.
“It is not often you get the opportunity to work on such large-scale projects through the whole cycle of the project.”
The logistics around this huge infrastructure project have been extensive. The new Karrinyup has doubled in size from 59,874m2 in 2018 to 109,000 sqm. The shopping centre now has some 290 retail stores, attracting international high-end fashion and lifestyle brands, an internal dining area, as well as a new external entertainment and dining precinct which includes mini-golf, a circus-themed arcade and bowling.
Karrinyup has been the largest commercial construction project in Perth for the past three years, with development beginning in November 2018 and completing to schedule in October 2021. When construction began, activity in the Perth construction sector was low. The project has been significant in providing employment for many local sub-contractors and suppliers, with estimations it has provided approximately 2,500 new jobs during construction and will create approximately 2,500 new jobs post its completion.
Thanks to Rowe Group and Proven Project Management’s combined expertise with shopping centre redevelopment, Karrinyup called upon both organisations to assist in preparing the relevant plans and development applications.
By identifying early on the special requirements to undertake an Early Contract Involvement phase, Multiplex were engaged as the project construction partners, working closely with project architects THRS as well as the other construction and management partners.
“Managing a site which doubled in size and now encompasses not only retail but also residential sites has showcased Proven's ability to manage multiple projects despite the complexity involved,” said Stephen Ralph, project manager of Proven Project Management.
“It is worth noting that the Karrinyup project involved major brands HOYTS, ALDI, Coles, Myer, David Jones, Big W, H&M, UNIQLO, Zara, Rebel Sports, Sephora and JB Hi-Fi amongst others. Karrinyup was interesting as it was multiple projects within an over-arching project.”
A big challenge was carrying out construction in a ‘live’ environment – trade had to continue in existing retail and hospitality outlets despite the major construction alterations being carried out nearby.
“We worked with Multiplex to manage this conflict between work requirements and retail trade while making sure construction progress remained on schedule,” said Mr West.
Karrinyup is a genuine mixed-use development spanning retail, commercial, entertainment and dinning while also providing residential living opportunities on site. It represents one of the few true ‘activity centres’ in Perth. Construction of 94 apartment on the east side of the development are underway with more than 80% of these pre-sold. Approval has also been recently given for the western side residential development, providing a further 270 new homes.
The project has made a significant contribution to the local community through its investment in local bus frequencies and connections, upgrades to Karrinyup Road, upgrades to footpaths in the district, improvements to the local drainage system and improvements to local power and communications networks.
It’s true to say that the development has opened-up multiple opportunities for the northern suburb to play a dominant role as an entertainment and retail destination as well as an aspirational residential hub.
As the results of many years’ work in some significantly challenging global circumstances, Mr West reflects that the enthusiasm Perth residents have shown to the project is rewarding.
“The project represents a long-term commitment by the project team in design and construction during a challenging period.”
“The successful delivery of Karrinyup, which officially completed at the end of October to schedule, represents a great success for Western Australia and is a project we are very proud to have seen through from initiation to completion.”
