South Australia’s retail sector has had a major boost with the opening of a $170 million homemaker centre at Gepps Cross on 5 June.

Known as HOME HQ Gepps Cross, the homemaker centre is reported to be the largest in Australia, with 60,000 square metres of retail space and two food courts.

Taking a considerable portion of that space is a 12,000sqm Harvey Norman superstore, the largest in South Australia and Australia’s second biggest. Harvey Norman Holdings are part owners of the centre along with property developers Axiom Properties Limited and publicly listed fund manager Charter Hall.

Other major retailers include: JB Hi-Fi, Harris Scarfe, Nick Scali Furniture, Radio Rentals, Super A-Mart, BCF, Beacon Lighting, Discount City Carpets, Baby Bunting, The Outdoor Furniture Specialists, Howards Storage World, Forty Winks, Barbeques Galore, and Classic Timber Furniture.

National Air Conditioning were contracted to fulfil the HVAC requirements for the centre. National Air Conditioning’s Michael Ortuso said a total of 189 Fantech fans were installed. “The majority were adjustable pitch in-line axial fans from the AP series,” he said. “The carefully specified fans were ideal because they are not only efficient, but complied with the low noise requirements of the buildings.

Michael said almost 40 roof units from the Minivent series were installed to provide ventilation for the tenants and all units incorporated economy cycle operation for lower power consumption and a reduced carbon footprint.

“Axiom have done a fantastic job transforming the former abattoir site into a leading retail centre for Adelaide,” Michael said. “And they couldn’t have chosen a better location, 10 kilometres north of the CBD and minutes away from Port Adelaide.”

Adelaide’s northern suburbs are expected to take off, and HOME HQ is ideally positioned to take advantage of that. The developers were able to increase the area from which potential customers may come from by constructing a public road through the site, connecting Main North Road to Port Wakefield Road. The result – more than 40,000 vehicles pass the centre each day.