The first images of a new $18.5 million shopping and residential complex for Denman Prospect in the Molonglo Valley have been released by their developer.
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Capital Estate Developments managing director Stephen Byron said a development application for the complex should be lodged with the Environment and Planning Directorate within four to six weeks.
Completion of the shops was still earmarked for late 2017, to be worked into the overall subdivision work including roads, which is being done by the same developer.
The shopping complex has been designed by AMC Architecture, although the images released have been described as initial concept drawings.
The shops will be adjacent to the east-west arterial road for access on Holborow Avenue overlooking Cravens Creek.
Capital Estate Developments sees the Snow family progress from its successful Canberra airport and precinct developments into residential development, responsible for releasing the first stages of the new suburb of Denman Prospect, accounting for 2000 of its planned 4000 dwellings.
It specifically wanted carriage of developing the local shopping and community centre with residential attached. The $18.5 million price tag was an indicative cost.
"It's going to cost what it's going to cost," Mr Byron said.
"There are two reasons we wanted to do this ourselves. We want to deliver the facilities quickly and early so they're available to residents. It's shopping they're crying out for and we are going to deliver it.
"Number two is it allows us to deliver our stamp of quality to the suburb which will be reflected in the other development through the suburb."
The plans include terrace-style apartments above the retail space of two to three bedrooms and a separate apartment block of five to six storeys comprising 30 to 40 apartments. Although the images released show the block being eight storeys.
"There's some optionality around that," Mr Byron said.
A cafe will be located at the base of the apartment block.
Mr Byron said the plan was to start both the retail and residential elements at the same time.
He said the terrace-style homes and apartments brought people into the retail space from the start.
"It gives it that critical mass early in the process so that you'll have a vibrant shopping centre with a supermarket, a hairdresser, professional services, childcare centre and chemist," he said.
"We've had good demand from a range of small businesses. The key thing will be the corner podium cafe which has a northerly aspect.
"There's also an abundance of parking at the front of the shopping centre. That's just critical. People need and want to be able to park right out the front of where they buy their bread and milk."
The site also has earmarked an area next to the supermarket for a community hall and place of worship, to be determined by the ACT government.
Capital Estate Developments plans to also include public art in the shopping complex, with announcements due in the next few weeks.
