If Westfield has its way, St Lukes will be transformed from a thriving suburban shopping centre to a town centre a la Sylvia Park or Botany Downs.

In its proposal to Auckland City Council, Westfield says it wants to double the floor space of St Lukes to 92,500sq m from its current 46,832sq m, changing the extension to a Business 8 zone.

Currently the 191-retailer mall which pulls in nine million visitors a year is built on an inward-facing model, adhering to the older style of mall design where fresh air and natural light are scant. The new-look mall would have a more open feel.

Westfield general manager of development Clive Mackenzie says benefits include additional parking, improved pedestrian access and a “main street’’ environment, similar to Westfield’s upmarket outdoor shopping hub Nuffield Street in Newmarket.

“The design, visual and amenity improvements to Westfield St Lukes will integrate with the current and hopefully, future upgrades to public transport services and will lay the foundation for the centre to provide for the future needs of the area,” Mr Mackenzie says.

The proposal says St Lukes, which was last redeveloped in 2004, is well connected to the surrounding road network. Several bus routes serve the centre, with the Morningside Railway Station within walking distance.

Existing buildings would be extended along the street frontage of St Lukes Rd and Morningside with stores opening up on to those roads, rather the current internal-access model.

“The concept plan facilitates an extension to Exeter Rd [as a private road linking Exeter Rd and Aroha Ave] that will provide safe, pleasant and convenient pedestrian access to the shopping centre from the residential areas to the east as well as promoting a pedestrian oriented focus for the expanded centre,” the proposal says.

A maximum 15,000sq m gross floor space for office space will be included in the upgrade.

A landscaped strip will run along the road boundary, densely planted with trees and shrubs including specimen trees of at least eight metres high dotted every 6.5 metres along. At least 30% of the upper levels will be balconies and glazing.

“Given we are only in the early planning stages, we have yet to make decisions regarding the extent or timing of future developments,” Mr Mackenzie says.

“Any such developments are likely to be staged over a considerable period of time. We are excited about the potential outcomes, including much needed job creation in construction and retail.”