18,182m2
Renascent delivered Kmart Group’s new national office at 1 Middle Road, Chadstone. A 18,182m2 workplace consolidation across eight floors within one of Australia’s busiest retail assets.
The project brought together Kmart and Target’s legacy offices into a single unified headquarters aligned with the Group’s vision. Beyond relocation, the objective was to create a cohesive environment that promotes collaboration, supports merchandising operations, and reflects the brand’s practical, accessible identity.
Completion was achieved in early January 2026, enabling the first tranche of 1600 staff to transition into the new workplace in mid-January.
Renascent was initially engaged as Early Contractor Involvement partner, providing cost planning, buildability and value management advice throughout the design phase. This early collaboration shaped key project decisions.
A significant design review led to the retention of newly installed base building ceilings. Rather than proceed with planned demolition to create exposed services, the team worked collaboratively to assess cost, sustainability and programme impacts. Retaining the ceilings avoided unnecessary rework and delivered significant savings.
An open book approach with key subcontractors, alongside a carefully managed workstation and furniture tender process, ensured commercial discipline across all eight floors while maintaining alignment with Kmart Group’s brand identity.
Value was not treated as a post-tender exercise. It guided decision making from concept through to completion.
The headquarters sits above an operational super regional shopping centre trading at full capacity, including peak Christmas trade during final delivery.
Programme certainty required detailed sequencing and stakeholder coordination:
Retail operations continued uninterrupted throughout construction and commissioning.
Several areas of the project required careful technical resolution.
A high hazard storage zone on Level 1 required a three-hour fire separation from adjacent retail and office areas. A sacrificial stud wall solution was developed to achieve compliance without constructing from the live mall. Extensive smoke exhaust ductwork was treated with a vermiculite spray system, with custom structural supports integrated into Kmart’s racking layout to preserve storage capacity.
Underslung sanitary services above trading tenancies were consolidated into a single accessible zone and completed out of hours, avoiding disruption and eliminating the need for sullage pumps within high water use areas.
Within seminar spaces where no access was available below, an engineered screed solution enabled recessed services and floorboxes to achieve a fully flush finish.
Each solution was developed in consultation with project partners to ensure compliance, operational continuity and long-term durability.
The completed headquarters integrates merchandising range rooms, fit rooms and fabric libraries throughout the workspace. Product displays and racking are embedded within workstation zones, reinforcing the connection between corporate teams and retail operations.
Consistent open plan environments and flexible collaboration areas support alignment across the combined business.
Kmart Group successfully relocated over 1600 staff into the new headquarters in mid-January 2026. Client feedback has been positive, with Renascent engaged to undertake Day 2 works following completion.
This project demonstrates the value of early engagement, disciplined commercial decision making, and controlled delivery within complex, live environments.
