8:42 Nov 27th, 2009 | 4 notes

First Look: Lane Cove Market Square.

It has been the buzz of the North Shore of Sydney for some months now, but finally, Market Square in the heart of Lane Cove has opened. And yesterday, I had the chance to take a look around.

The first thing you’ll notice is that it fits in with the rest of Lane Cove. Rather than being a huge mega mall complex, Market Square stays true to its name with a modest dozen or so new shops along with a Woolworths supermarket, a wine bar/restaurant and a Fitness First gracing the modern interior. The building itself remains inconspicuously hidden, remaining low rise and using the natural slope of the land to pack in stores and 300 car park spaces. Market Square curves around to adjoin the local library, which is in the process of a similar makeover. Around the bend you’ll find a lovely courtyard and coffee shop which directly competes with the shop I work at and which could risk my job security, so don’t drink there (I tried their cappuccino, it’s really good!).

You’ll find boutique clothe shops, a sushi bar, children’s gift shop, pharmacy, butcher, deli, optometrist and even a fish monger along the brightly lit, glass fronted hallway of Market Square. The architects made the incredibly smart decision to include three sizable elevators in the design, quite a few for a center the size of Market Square. It’s a welcome addition that will please customers greatly.

One design feature that made me smile was the twitter inspired car park walls. Okay, while it may not be purposeful, for me its very reminiscent (much like the Windows 7 login screen) of the social network I love. For those in the UK, you’ll understand what I mean when I say that the Woolworths looks very similar to M&S Food. The polished concrete flooring, brushed aluminum and dark wood made me feel like I was taking a trip down Monnow Street in Monmouth to the local M&S to pick something up for dinner. Granted, the Woolworths in Market Square is larger than a local M&S but you get the idea.

It’s been around ten years since the idea for a complex in the heart of Lane Cove was suggested. But now, many, many court battles amounting to nothing at all, Lane Cove has it’s missing piece. Market Place connects the Plaza with Longueville road, provides a fresh new shopping experience complete with modern cuisine and adds much needed car parking spaces. After seeing the Plaza boarded up for so long, its great to see Lane Cove finally complete.

Please enjoy a selections of blurry photos of the new Market Square!

BONUS QUESTION: In which photo does mother make an cameo appearance?

EDIT: WINNERS! Mother is in the Woolworths photo. Congrats to @brokentapedeck and @dominicmay