Reading Cinemas coming soon to Burwood Brickworks community

Burwood Brickworks, on track to open in late 2019, has announced that it will host a six-screen cinema complex.

Reading International has agreed to terms to anchor the new entertainment hub at the mixed-use community, which is 19 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD.

The announcement comes after Whitehorse City Council endorsed an amendment to the development plan, paving the way for the new community to include a cinema.

Designed by Melbourne-based NH Architecture, the 12,900 square metre Burwood Brickworks shopping centre will be the heart of the mixed-use community.

The complex will be positioned on the ground level of Burwood Brickworks shopping centre, on the corner of Middleborough and Boulevard Roads, adjacent to the 4,200 square metre Woolworths supermarket.

Frasers Property is aiming for the shopping centre at Burwood Brickworks to be the first retail development in the world to achieve Living Building Challenge certification, meaning it will generate more energy than it consumes on an annual basis.

North Melbourne-based Russell & George has been appointed to ensure the base building interior design and fitout comply with the sustainability standards. 

A mix of on-site rooftop solar PV and off-site renewable energy, utilising battery storage, will generate 105% of the energy required for the building.

For their electricity needs, tenants may choose to participate in the embedded energy network Frasers Property is integrating, which will offer use of the renewable electricity generated on-site.

Also proposed as part of the centre’s tenant mix is a child care centre and medical centre, as well as health and fitness opportunities.

Peri Macdonald, from Frasers Property Australia says Reading Cinemas will attract visitors.

“We’re creating a destination at Burwood Brickworks, a place drawing people from the immediate catchment and beyond who want to enjoy a memorable entertainment, shopping and dining experience in the most comfortable environment imaginable,” Macdonald says.

“A cinema offering was always a key feature of the super-neighbourhood centre we envisaged at Burwood Brickworks.”

The new complex will be the company’s first cinema in Australia to feature reclining seats in all auditoriums.

Mark Douglas, Reading Cinemas Australia’s managing director, said he looks forward to opening in late 2019.