AMP Capital has unveiled the final stage of Macquarie Centre's $440 million redevelopment ahead of time and on budget, transforming the North Ryde centre into Sydney's largest suburban shopping centre and a premium shopping destination.

Macquarie Centre's completion is a major milestone for AMP Capital's $5 billion property development pipeline and its investors, with other major projects planned or underway across the country including the redevelopment of Ocean Keys in Perth, Pacific Fair in Queensland, and Sydney's 200 George Street and Quay Quarter precinct.

Today's opening will reveal a brand new two-level fashion galleria, featuring more than 100 new stores from today including the first new David Jones to open in Sydney in seven years.  Macquarie Centre is also now home to the most large-format international high-street fashion brands of any Australian shopping centre. This includes Sydney's first H&M and UNIQLO as well as Gap, Zara, and Sydney's first Forever 21, which will open in December.

The new-look Macquarie Centre also boasts a strong stable of Australian designers including Scanlan Theodore, Zimmermann, Alice McCall, Gorman, Willow and Sass & Bide.

The official ribbon cutting will be conducted by Bryan Hynes, Managing Director AMP Capital Shopping Centres, with thousands of shoppers expected to flock into the centre when doors open at 9.00am. The highly-anticipated openings of UNIQLO and H&M will occur at 9.30am and 10.00am, respectively.

AMP Capital's Director of Property, Andrew Bird, said that significant projects such as Macquarie Centre are made possible by investor support, and reflect AMP Capital's ability to attract capital from investors both here and overseas. Mr Bird said: "Finding opportunities for our investors is what we do, and a key way we can deliver those opportunities is by developing the property assets they own through our funds. The new Macquarie Centre reflects the hard work and commitment of many across our business, and is a great outcome for the faith our investors have shown in Macquarie, its market and the NSW economy. "

Managed by AMP Capital Shopping Centres and owned by the AMP Capital Shopping Centre Fund, the Australian Core Property Portfolio and the AMP Capital Retail Trust, Macquarie Centre exemplifies AMP Capital Shopping Centre's focus on redeveloping assets with strong growth potential, in areas of strong population growth.

Mr Hynes said: "Situated in the unique north-west growth corridor of Sydney comprising Macquarie University, Macquarie Business Park and a strong and growing residential population, the centre has superior road and rail access and there are plans for urban activation around the precinct."

With a total trade area of 337,770 people, expected to unleash $6 billion in retail spending by 2021, the north-west corridor is the new capital of household wealth in Sydney.

The new-look Macquarie Centre features an Australian-first 21-metre curved digital screen, which dominates the new Fresh Food Market ceiling and delivers innovative, creative, ambient content and sound. Dramatic, bespoke art installations by local Australian artists also weave throughout the centre.

The centre also features a premium dining and café offering, and premium services such as valet parking and free Wi-Fi throughout the centre. There are also more than 5,000 parking spaces, the most offered by any shopping centre in Sydney.

Mr Hynes said: "We wanted to create a customised shopping experience with unique, international and aspirational brands, an enhanced leisure offer and a social hub for dining and entertainment. By focusing on crafting interactive experiences - something we do at all our shopping centres - we have transformed Macquarie Centre into a leading contemporary urban centre, which is a great outcome for customers, retailers and investors."

Stage one of Macquarie Centre's redevelopment was delivered successfully in July 2014 and features the Fresh Food Market and market-style eateries such as Costi's Seafood Market Macquarie, Inlakesh Living Foods and F & L Gourmet. With stage two complete, Macquarie Centre comprises 138,500 square metres of floor space.

About Macquarie Centre
Macquarie Centre is located north of the Sydney CBD at North Ryde, and is managed by AMP Capital Shopping Centres. The centre has undergone a $440 million redevelopment to become a premium shopping destination. The centre is 138,500 square metres and has more than 330 specialty stores over four levels.

This week's launch opens a new David Jones department store, joining the existing Myer store. The centre has the most international brands under one roof including Sydney's first H&M and UNIQLO, in addition to Gap, Zara and Sydney's first store by Californian retail giant Forever 21, opening in December.

The Fresh Food Market, which opened in July this year, includes a new Coles and ALDI Food Store, alongside a refurbished Woolworths. Japanese retailer, Daiso offers a huge variety of Japanese products all for just $2.80. The Fresh Food Market also contains market-style eateries such as Costi's Seafood Market Macquarie, Inlakesh Living Foods and F & L Gourmet. The centre also has Event Cinemas Macquarie, featuring three Gold Class Cinemas and 12 regular cinemas and bar, Strike Bowling Bar, and Macquarie Ice Rink.

For further information visit our website macquariecentre.com.au.

About AMP Capital Property
AMP Capital is one of the largest property fund managers in Asia Pacific with over 50 years of experience in property investment. With more than $17 billion in assets under management, our team of more than 440 people work together to achieve superior property investment performance outcomes for our clients. On behalf of our clients, we manage one of the largest and most established portfolios of diversified property investments in our region, including shopping centres, office buildings and industrial assets in prime, sought-after locations.

About AMP Capital Shopping Centres
AMP Capital Shopping Centres combines world-class experience and specialist capabilities with a deep understanding of local property markets. Supported by the strength of AMP Capital and the experience of the AMP Group, we are uniquely positioned to provide premium property management services to some of Australia and New Zealand's most successful and high-performing retail centres. Established in 1978, AMP Capital Shopping Centres has a portfolio comprising 25 centres throughout Australia and New Zealand, which generate more than $6.9 billion in annual sales and attract more than 154 million visitations annually. AMP Capital Shopping Centres employs more than 320 people and has more than 3,900 individual retailer relationships*.

*As at 30 June 2014. Includes internally and externally managed centres.

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