Uni Hill Factory Outlets
Uni Hill Factory Outlets is a planned factory-outlet and shopping precinct in the University Hill development at Bundoora, Melbourne.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Uni Hill Factory Outlets is a planned retail precinct in the University Hill area of Bundoora, in Melbourne’s outer north-east. The project was also identified as Brand Junction and formed one of nine precincts envisaged under the Janefield Development Plan. That plan was approved by the City of Whittlesea on 20 July 2004 for the redevelopment of a 103.8-hectare site bounded by Plenty Road, the Metropolitan Ring Road, the Plenty Road Gorge Parklands and RMIT University’s Bundoora East Campus. The precinct was conceived as a mixed retail destination combining a Coles supermarket, specialty shops and a substantial factory-outlet component. Plans described up to 90 outlet tenancies, together with 28 specialty stores, with units ranging from approximately 80 square metres to more than 500 square metres. The retail offer was intended to cover discounted fashion, footwear, homewares, shopping and lifestyle products supplied by recognised brands. Retailers identified in the project material included Laura Ashley, Harris Scarfe, Roger David and Wittner. Brand Junction received City of Whittlesea approval in 2005. Construction was attributed to St Hilliers, with an anticipated project cost of A$40 million at the time of the reference material. The precinct was part of a broader urban-village redevelopment led by Melbourne property developer MAB Corporation, which combined residential, commercial, retail, industrial and community uses. Because the available reference describes the scheme principally in terms of approval, planning and intended tenancy mix, its final operating status, later ownership, tenant roster and current trading identity are not established here. The University Hill development occupies land with a complex institutional history. The site was used by the Australian Red Cross between 1920 and 1925 as a convalescent farm for ex-servicemen with tuberculosis. From 1937, much of the land operated as Janefield, a state institution for children with severe intellectual disabilities. The centre closed in 1995 amid changing approaches to institutional care. RMIT University acquired the land in 1997 with plans for a technology estate, shopping centre, housing and recreation facilities, but abandoned that development direction during a financial crisis. Permission to sell the remaining land was granted in 2003, after which MAB Corporation won a public tender and worked with the City of Whittlesea on the mixed-use University Hill master plan.
History
The land now associated with University Hill has been used for several distinct purposes. From October 1920 to July 1925, the Australian Red Cross operated a farm on the site to support ex-servicemen convalescing from tuberculosis. In 1937, the 960-acre Janefield property was gazetted as a centre for children with severe intellectual disabilities. Children were transferred there from Kew Cottages the following month. The institution, initially known as Janefield Colony for the Treatment of Mental Defectives, was renamed a training centre after changes under the Mental Health Act 1959. At its height, the centre included a special school, farm, gymnasium, family facilities, swimming pool and theatre. The Janefield centre closed in 1995 as government policy and public attitudes shifted away from large institutional models of disability care. Residents were transferred to newer accommodation at Plenty Residential Services. The remaining land was subsequently made available for redevelopment, supported by legislative changes and the federal Building Better Cities program. RMIT University purchased approximately 103.8 hectares in July 1997 for A$12 million, proposing a technology estate, neighbourhood shopping centre, housing subdivision and recreational facilities. A master plan was approved by the City of Whittlesea in November 1998. RMIT did not ultimately proceed with the technology-estate concept. A university status report dated 30 October 2001 recommended stopping efforts to implement the project, citing limited state support, insufficient private-sector involvement and investment, and inadequate institutional resources. On 5 March 2003, the Victorian Minister for Education authorised RMIT to sell the land. Jones Lang LaSalle conducted a public tender on RMIT’s behalf, which was won by Melbourne developer MAB Corporation. MAB Corporation and the City of Whittlesea then developed a revised master plan for a mixed-use urban village incorporating residential, retail, industrial and community facilities. The Janefield Development Plan was approved on 20 July 2004 and anticipated nine precincts. Brand Junction, the name used for one of those precincts, received approval in 2005. Its planned identity was that of a factory-outlet shopping destination rather than a single-product consumer brand. St Hilliers was identified as the builder, and the project was expected to cost A$40 million at the time. The intended scheme included a Coles supermarket, 28 specialty stores and as many as 90 factory outlets, with a tenant mix focused on discounted fashion, footwear, homewares and lifestyle goods. The reference material identifies prospective or signed tenants including Laura Ashley, Harris Scarfe, Roger David and Wittner. It does not establish whether all planned tenancies opened, how the precinct subsequently traded, whether the Brand Junction name was retained, or what entity currently owns or operates the site. Accordingly, the present status and later commercial history require verification.
- 2005
Brand Junction approved
[1]The City of Whittlesea approved the factory-outlet precinct, planned to include supermarket, specialty and outlet retail.
- 2004
Janefield Development Plan approved
[1]The City of Whittlesea approved the mixed-use development plan that included Brand Junction among nine anticipated precincts.
- 2003
Sale and redevelopment process resumed
[1]Ministerial permission enabled RMIT to sell the land, leading to a public tender won by MAB Corporation.
- 1997
RMIT acquired the redevelopment site
[1]RMIT University purchased the site for a proposed technology estate, shopping centre, housing and recreation development.
- 1995
Janefield centre closed
[1]The institutional facility closed and residents moved to newer residential accommodation.
- 1937
Janefield institution established
[1]The property was gazetted as Janefield, a centre for children with severe intellectual disabilities.
- 1920
Australian Red Cross farm established
[1]The site began a period of use as an Australian Red Cross farm supporting ex-servicemen convalescing from tuberculosis.
Products and positioning
A suburban factory-outlet and convenience-shopping destination offering discounted branded goods alongside supermarket and specialty retail.
Discount retail
Factory-outlet retail
The core proposition was a collection of factory outlets offering discounted fashion, footwear, homewares and lifestyle goods from recognised brands. Plans envisaged up to 90 outlet tenancies in spaces ranging from about 80 square metres to more than 500 square metres.
Supermarket
Coles supermarket
A Coles supermarket was included in the proposed retail mix, providing everyday grocery and convenience shopping alongside the factory-outlet component.
Specialty retail
Specialty stores
The scheme was expected to include 28 specialty stores complementing the supermarket and outlet tenancies. The available material does not provide a complete final tenant list.
Recent events
- 2005
Brand Junction approved as part of the University Hill development[1]
Other
The City of Whittlesea approved the Brand Junction factory-outlet precinct within the wider University Hill mixed-use redevelopment.
Sources1 sources
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