THE first stage of the $116 million expansion of Stockland Baldivis Shopping Centre opened on Thursday with 20 new shops opening their doors.
Dozens of residents lined up for the 8am opening of drawcard department store Kmart and smaller shops including Robin's Kitchen, Bed Bath N Table, Sussan, Red Dot and Sushi Sushi.
It is estimated that hundreds of new jobs will be created by the redevelopment.
Stage two is due to open in May and will create 95 new stores, including Woolworths, a 275-seat indoor and outdoor food court and more than quadruple the current retail space to 29,500sqm.
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READ NOWCommercial Property Development manager Prue Cunningham said the transformation was on schedule.
"With the overall project now 90 per cent complete and on schedule to officially open in May 2015, there is no slowing down," she said.
"We have an array of exciting new retailers opening today with many more to come in the impending weeks, we are very excited to deliver a complete retail and entertainment offering for the community very soon."