Beck, Fox propose Essendon Fields car dealership hub
Car enthusiast Lindsay Fox will build a master-planned new car dealership precinct at Essendon Airport.
The businessman and philanthropist this week announced Essendon Fields Auto Alley would be developed alongside the Tullamarine Freeway’s new northern extension, which runs parallel to Airport West’s Matthews Avenue.
Covering five hectares, the first stage of the airport project has been pre-committed by seven makes including Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, Mazda and Toyota.
Upon completion – the dealerships will occupy about 12,000 square metres of enclosed showroom space, and four times that much in land.
The businesses are expected to sell used cars too.
Areas for pre-delivery, storage and maintenance are also designed.
“The concept of dealers being opposite each other creates a unique situation never before developed in Australia,” Auto Alley leasing agent Craig Cunningham of Cunningham Property, said.
The agent added the development would deliver “a permanent motor show”.
More than 100,000 cars a day pass this stretch of freeway.
Later Auto Alley stages allow for around another 12 major dealerships.
Essendon Fields is a 75-hectare commercial and retail precinct created by Linfox Property Group and Max Beck’s Beck Corporation, following the purchase in 2001 of a 99-year lease over the Essendon Airport.
The former recently made close to $3m offloading 30 classic cars from a collection – including a rare 1957 Gullwing which collected over $500,000.
The businessman also recently donated 40 cars to set up the Fox Classic Car Museum which donates proceeds.
It was speculated the Linfox boss listed the vehicles because he had outgrown the several facilities he has to store them.
