The Pines Shopping Centre

 Extension and lifts install for major Gold Coast shopping centre.

The Pines is a major regional shopping centre which required an extension housing two lift shafts, to better cater for the Centre’s elderly clientele. Evolve’s D&C offering provides access to the rooftop carpark without the need to use escalators.

Managing a live environment, as the Centre remained open for business, insulated panels were used to reduce noise pollution into the Centre. A traffic management plan also had to be developed to ensure pedestrian access and deliveries to retail outlets were maintained.

The lift extension was constructed out of pre-cast concrete panels that were craned into position. Working around space restrictions, the concrete panels were cast offsite rather than in situ. A partial road closure was necessary to then crane the panels into position and was achieved in a single day to reduce impact and cost. Once in place the panels were sealed and fixed to the existing structure. New ground floor and roof top lobbies were constructed to support two lift cars while the rooftop carpark was reconfigured to ensure disabled and parent carparks are located close to the new entry point.

Evolve provided a tight program as per client request in order to minimise interruption to trading and reduce the Centre’s operating costs. This was delayed due to exposing an unmarked existing sewer line during excavation which required a diversion in order to build the lift shaft. With efficiencies gained from close management of program and trades, Evolve was able to reduce the delay in program by one week, expertly handling one of the many challenges.