Rare opportunity to acquire strong performing Woolworths anchored neighbourhood centre

Panthera Group is preparing to sell the highly performing Terrace Central shopping centre in the NSW Hunter Region in a move tipped to generate significant interest from private, syndicate and institutional investors.

The investment management group has appointed CBRE’s James Douglas, James Sherley and Savills’ Steven Lerche to steer the Expressions of Interest campaign for the Raymond Terrace asset – a convenience and services-oriented neighbourhood shopping centre, situated just off the M1 motorway.

The 6,978sqm centre occupies a land-rich, 17,453sqm freehold site, providing abundant car parking, high exposure, and favourable accessibility.

“The on-market campaign presents a rare opportunity to acquire a 100% interest in a strong performing neighbourhood shopping centre, anchored by a highly productive and recently upgraded Woolworths supermarket,” CBRE’s Mr Douglas said.

“The 4,052sqm supermarket is trading 23% above the Urbis benchmark on a rate per square metre basis, which is testament to its outstanding convenience, service and food offering.”

Savills’ Mr Lerche added, “We anticipate strong local and interstate investor interest given the centre’s strategic location and range of inclusions, boasting the region’s only Woolworths “Direct to Boot” service and 12 Tesla Superchargers – providing exceptional convenience for daily needs focused customers.” 

Woolworths and BWS recently completed an internal refurbishment in 2022 and have committed to new 10-year leases to 2032, with options until 2062, securing 51% of the centre’s gross income.

Other tenants include The Reject Shop, Australia Post, a medical centre, pharmacy, and other ‘essential needs’ retailers, with non-discretionary retail representing over 87% of the gross passing rent.

Mr Douglas noted that Woolworths had recorded impressive year-on-year turnover growth and is forecast to contribute percentage rent in the current lease year. This was supported by robust annual food expenditure of $2.0 billion in the main trade area, accounting for 57% of all retail spending.

Raymond Terrace is a strong regional hub located 165km north of Sydney and 27km north of the Newcastle city centre.

Forecast government and private investment within the immediate region is set to exceed $2.4 billion, including the $2.1 billion M1 Pacific Highway Extension, which is slated for completion in 2028, and the Newcastle Airport upgrade – due to be completed in mid-2025.   

The centre has been positioned to benefit from this investment and from key greenfield residential developments in the main trade area, including the master-planned Kings Hill community. Situated 6km north of the centre, Kings Hill will contain over 3,000 lots accommodating more than 10,000 residents.

In total, the main trade area population is forecast to grow by 1.7% p.a. (more than double the NSW non-metropolitan average) and reach 37,130 people by 2046.  

Current retail spending in the trade area is estimated at $426.8 million and is expected to reach $1.025 billion by 2046, reflecting robust growth of 4.1% p.a. with food retail and food catering expenditure growth of 4.2% and 4.7% per annum respectively, according to LocationIQ.

Expressions of Interest close Wednesday, 12 March 2025.