THE new rooftop cinema complex at Westfield Miranda is expected to be open for Easter, months ahead of schedule.
With two Vmax and two Gold Class cinemas, and six general screens, it will be the biggest entertainment upgrade for decades in Sutherland Shire.
A spokeswoman for Amalgamated Holdings Limited, which operates the Greater Union-Event chain, said the opening target date was "the start of the school holidays".
The school term finishes on April 2, just as the Easter break begins.
The cinema complex, which will have the most modern facilities, will be surrounded by six new restaurants, although not all may open at the same time.
Westfield has described the precinct as "a garden in the sky" because of proposed lush landscaping around the indoor-outdoor restaurants, which can be transformed according to the weather.
Westfield Miranda manager Kate Holsgrove said another component of the $475 million redevelopment would happen later in the year with the opening of international fashion retailer Topshop and three other "mini-majors" — industry terminology for mid-sized stores, for example JB Hi-Fi.
Ms Holsgrove said she could not name the new stores at this stage, but they would cover different categories of shopping.
The Topshop store will be the first in Sydney outside the CBD.
Westfield has submitted a development application to Sutherland Shire Council for modifications in the fresh food section at the eastern end of the centre. Coles is expected to replace Franklins, but Ms Holsgrove would not confirm this.
'Both movie theatres in need of a facelift'
Yvonne Khazen is looking forward to the new Miranda complex, but hopes it won’t be at the expense of the ageing Cronulla one.
‘‘I think the shire can support both, but if the Cronulla cinemas stay they will definitely need a facelift,’’ she said.
Ms Khazen, a Miranda resident, said she normally travelled to Westfield Bondi Junction to see movies because the facilities at both Miranda and Cronulla were much inferior.
CRONULLA DOUBTS
The lure of the new entertainment centre at Miranda will add to the cloud of uncertainty over the future of the historic movie theatre at Cronulla.
Both movie centres are part of the Greater Union-Event Cinemas chain, which are operated by Amalgamated Holdings Limited.
The company is a lesee in the Cronulla building, which was advertised for sale late last year.
It houses several retail outlets, including a McDonald’s, and will have enhanced redevelopment potential under the new Sutherland Shire draft local environmental plan.
A Greater Union-Event Cinemas spokeswoman said the building’s future was a matter for the owner,
but ‘‘as far as we are aware, nothing is changing’’.
Michael Ajaka, of JLL, the agent for the property , said ‘‘some parties are looking at it, and doing due diligence’’.
Mr Ajaka said he could not comment on the future of the cinemas, other than to say ‘‘they have been good tenants’’.
