The finish line is in sight for stage one of the $1.5 billion Ripley Town Centre.
Construction of the $40 million first stage is well advanced with tenants secured for more than 80 per cent of the centre.
Once completed in coming months, the first stage will comprise a marketplace-style centre anchored by a Coles supermarket and supported by 20 specialty stores, a medical centre and commercial office space.
Ripley Town Centre has secured tenancies from liquor giant BWS, a bakery, newsagent, nail salon, hairdresser, massage centre and cafe.
Victoria-based Quay Family Healthcare has signed on to operate a major medical centre at the site.
Other health and medical tenants secured include The Discount Chemist, dentist Dr Nauv Kashyap who is opening his eighth South East Queensland practice, and Ipswich veterinarian Andrew Hemming who is targeting a second surgery to complement his existing Flinders View Veterinary Surgery.
Construction of the 9,000 square metre first stage is now well advanced with the roof installed, glazing and shopfronts currently being installed.
Coles supermarket is being fitted out, and both ground and second floor tenancy walls are being installed.
Nearing completion is the town centre’s main loading dock, while the exterior wood façade is partially installed.
“We’re pleased with construction progress over the past year, and we’re thrilled to see the number of retailers and commercial businesses moving to capitalise on the potential of the regional town centre,” Ripley Town Centre development manager Taku Hashimoto said.
“Inquiries for space have been strong from the outset and the quality of tenants we have secured has firmly positioned Ripley Town Centre as a major drawcard for the region.”
Ripley Town Centre will be developed in stages as the region grows to 120,000 in the coming years.
Ripley Town Centre has implemented several sustainability initiatives to secure a 5 Star Green Star Design and As Built accreditation.
This includes the installation of 1,800 individual solar panels, with the majority to be installed on the 360 vehicle carpark shade structures as part of the 480kW system that will help generate a sizeable amount of the town centre’s power needs at peak times.
“The solar system will not only reduce demand on the grid at peak times, but also lower costs for tenants within Ripley Town Centre and ensure the town centre meets the needs of the community well into the next century,” Mr Hashimoto said.
“Sustainability is a primary objective for the Ripley Town Centre and we’ve made a commitment to achieving a 5 Star Green Star Design and As Built accreditation.
“This commitment involves the implementation of innovative design and management to achieve high indoor environment quality, energy and water saving, and a selection of low impact materials to minimise the impact on the local ecology.”
When completed, Ripley Town Centre will ultimately comprise a broad range of commercial and retail spaces, a dining precinct, regional transit hub, community and entertainment facilities as well as new inner-urban residential nodes.
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