Highpoint Shopping Centre has opened the first stage of its $300 million development with the unveiling of its Fresh Food Market and Eco Mall.

Thirty-five new stores will open as part of the new precinct, which will include Woolworths supermarket, 15 fresh food retailers and 20 children’s fashion, homewares and general merchandise.

Highpoint development manager Mark Pheely said the thinking behind the project was to accommodate to the needs of the community for years to come, establishing both in and outdoor spaces for the community to meet and interact.

“Throughout planning stages and development we’ve consulted key community stakeholders about what their community means to them and what they seek from the new centre and have been working together to bring these visions to life,”  he said.

The second stage of Highpoint’s development will launch in early 2013 with the West’s first David Jones, together with new international mini-majors and approximately 80 new speciality retailers including premium Australian and international fashion.

The development incorporates new public spaces and sustainability initiatives including natural ventilation and light to reduce energy consumption, plus an additional 600 car spaces equipped with the latest Smart Park technology to direct customers to available spaces. It is also expected to create over 2,000 new jobs in total.