RETAIL magnate Gerry Harvey has strengthened his foothold in the Albury-Wodonga area by snapping up the Wodonga Homemaker Centre which was built less than seven years ago. Selling agent CBRE has confirmed Mr Harvey paid almost $25 million for the centre located next door to Bunnings on the corner of Victoria Cross Parade and Anzac Parade. Bill Perry developed the homemaker centre before also being a major player in the creation of the Huon Hill Tavern and Quest Apartments development in central Wodonga. The homemaker centre was offered for sale via a expressions of interest process which closed late last month. CBRE agent Rory Hilton confirmed the sale. “It was a highly successful campaign,” he said. “There is a big focus on well positioned regional assets. “There is a drive in that market as long as the town can support them. “The vendor has had that centre in such good shape. “It is a well positioned centre and has lots of good national retailers. “Harvey Norman has a centre in Albury and there was a link for them to get a further foothold in the area.” The centre has a fully leased income of $2.06 million per annum and is presently fully tenanted to 12 retailers with the most recent addition being Genesis gymnasium. Midway through last year Bing Lee opened in the homemaker centre replacing the space occupied by one of the original anchor tenants, Warehouse Sales. Bing Lee has since opened another store in the Mate’s Building in central Albury. Harvey Norman was touted to be another anchor tenant when the homemaker centre opened in 2008. But the company set up in a complex in Borella Road, East Albury. Mr Perry’s family was the long-time operators of the Blazing Stump Hotel also on Anzac Parade. But the popular pub was sold around the same time as the homemaker centre started. Mr Perry spent $12 million creating the homemaker centre which was built by Joss Construction. Mr Perry and Colin Joss are partners in the Huon Hill Tavern which opened in 2013. More than 100 jobs have been created at the homemaker centre since its opening. Further development is planned for land located at the rear.