Work is underway at seven centres across the city, as the battle for the retail dollar forces owners to think big in order to get customers through the door.

One strategy employed was for centres to create a hub for shoppers by combining retailers with residential towers, entertainment, food and commercial spaces.

Brisbane Racing Club has started building a $1.5 billion masterplan in between Eagle Farm and Doomben Racecourse.

The masterplan incorporated a new shopping centre, including space for a major supermarket, an estimated 12-15 specialty shops as well as office space above.

In addition, eight residential towers were also going to be built, with 1200 apartments planned and building heights ranging from nine to 15 storeys.

There was also going to be a new hotel, with about 150 rooms, and a sports club on the ground level, as well as a two-hectare aged care retirement facility.

Brisbane Racing Club general manager of property Jeff Kahler hoped the development would create a "hub" in the Ascot area.

He added the aim was to put all money from the masterplan back into the racecourses and believed it would "enhance the racing experience".

According to Brisbane Development, two separate developments were following a similar trend.

The developer and manager of Indooroopilly Shopping Centre planned to build two new residential towers, nine and 20 storeys in height, known as Keating Park Residential.

It was expected to include 124 apartments as well as a ramp linking to the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre carpark.

The historic TC Beirne and Burlington Buildings in Fortitude Valley were also in for a refurbishment, which would see the ground floor transformed into The Arcade and The Beirne Laneway.

The development was hoped to form a new focal point for food, beverage and retail in Fortitude Valley, with commercial offices to be built on the floors above.

Meanwhile, on Monday Westfield Chermside was set to start it's new number plate recognition system to replace ticketed parking and see an extra 1300 new carparking spaces made available to customers.

On April 6, the first stage of the $355 million centre redevelopment was scheduled to open, which incorporated 54 fashion, home and lifestyle retailers - including ZARA, H&M and Sephora. The second phase was planned to be completed by June and add about 50 retailers and restaurants.

In addition, owner and manager of Lutwyche City, Abacus Property Group, submitted plans to Brisbane City Council for a major refurbishment.

Centre manager David Smith said the redevelopment would create new employment, retail and commercial opportunities and see the introduction of new community facilities such as childcare centres and health care services.

Mr Smith said the enhancements would also include new shop fit outs as well as new travelators and the relocation of the food court to the northern end of the centre, near Coles supermarket.

Construction was expected to start in early 2017 and be completed by mid-2019, with the centre remaining open throughout.

Aspley Hypermarket recently underwent a $50 million facelift, complete with interior and exterior design upgrades, a modern food court and office space.

There was also the rejuvenation of the external building, which used to be home to Harvey Norman, incorporating Toys R Us, Bob Jane T-Marts and Solver Professional Paint Centre.

The last stage would include the introduction of a Woolworths supermarket to go alongside the existing Coles and Aldi outlets in the centre.

Finally, Peninsular Fair at Kippa-Ring started a $4 million upgrade, with work expected to be completed in July.

The redevelopment included an interior and exterior makeover, a new walkway connecting the multi-deck carpark to the centre as well as carpark improvements.

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