Woolworths, Cooleman Court

This busy store, a long-time favorite in the area, had outgrown its footprint. In collaboration with Woolworths Group and MIRVAC (the original landlord), FDC was engaged to deliver an ambitious expansion project, increasing the store’s space by an additional 800sqm.

Project Scope & Structural Challenges

To realise the expansion, the project team integrated multiple tenancies on the upper level into a single, unified Woolworths store. This required extensive structural works, including complex underpinning to modify the existing building framework.

The project was delivered in two major stages:

Stage 1: Plant Room Construction

• Construction of new foundations on the existing building’s roof
• Installation of a new mechanical plant room, including structural steel, cladding, and mechanical louvres

Stage 2: Store Expansion & BWS Relocation

• Demolition of four tenancies
• 1.6m deep excavation and removal of structural concrete columns
• Installation of new retaining walls and structural columns to support Level 1
• Facade and internal partition upgrades

A key structural challenge involved removing major concrete columns that supported the upper level, which housed tenants like Aldi. This high-risk work required innovative engineering solutions. FDC, in collaboration with project consultants, designed a comprehensive propping system to temporarily support the upper level during construction – all while ensuring ‘Safety in Design’ principles were rigorously applied.

Safety & Operational Continuity

With over 20,000 weekly visitors and Woolworths remaining operational just 200mm from the construction zone, maintaining a safe and uninterrupted shopping experience was paramount.

Key safety and logistical measures included:

• Daily Engineer Inspections: Temporary structural supports were inspected daily to ensure structural integrity and address issues proactively.
• Traffic Management: A dedicated traffic engineer was engaged to design safe pedestrian and vehicle routes in line with Transport Canberra and City Services’ regulations.
• Out-of-Hours Deliveries: Demolition waste removal and material deliveries were scheduled during non-peak hours to minimise disruption to customers and businesses.
• Unleased Land Permit: FDC secured permits to safely utilise government-owned land for pedestrian diversions and daily traffic control.

Delivering Value to the Community 

The successful expansion of Woolworths Cooleman Court delivers a spacious, contemporary retail environment that enhances the shopping experience for the growing Weston Creek community. The project is a testament to FDC’s expertise in complex, live-site construction and commitment to stakeholder collaboration and community-first outcomes.