Bayside Shopping Centre

Bayside Shopping Centre, commonly called Bayside, is a regional shopping centre in Frankston, Victoria, approximately 40 kilometres south of Melbourne's central business district. It is one of the principal retail destinations on the Mornington Peninsula and combines department stores, supermarkets, specialty retail, dining, entertainment, fitness and office-oriented redevelopment. The centre occupies a prominent position in Frankston's central business district, close to Frankston railway station and major bus routes. The original Bayside Shopping Centre opened on 3 October 1972 between Beach Street and Ross Smith Avenue. Its initial retail mix included a Myer department store, McEwans hardware, a Ritchies supermarket and 52 specialty stores. At that time, Frankston's retail core also contained two separate developments: Balmoral Arcade and, later, Quayside Shopping Centre. Balmoral Arcade opened in 1973 with 19 specialty stores, while Quayside opened in 1991 on land between the earlier centres. Quayside introduced Target, Coles and 72 specialty stores and was linked to Bayside by an enclosed pedestrian route across Ross Smith Avenue. The separate developments were consolidated after John Gandel acquired Bayside and Balmoral in the late 1990s. Ownership and administration subsequently became associated with CFS Retail Property Trust and, later, Vicinity Centres. This consolidation transformed the three formerly independent retail areas into a more unified shopping destination, with a larger and more varied tenant base. A major redevelopment began in 2004 and involved approximately $63 million of investment. Completed in March 2006, the project added 55 stores, including Kmart, Aldi and Woolworths, as well as a multistorey car park and a pedestrian bridge over Beach Street. Further changes in 2011 reconfigured tenancies, created a level devoted substantially to fashion retail, added a third-level food court and expanded the Aldi presence. According to the referenced material, the combined cost of development since 1999 had reached approximately $200 million by that stage. The centre also developed an entertainment precinct on Wells Street, reached through Shannon Street Mall. This precinct included a 12-screen multiplex cinema, later operated by Hoyts, together with Strike Bowling Bar, Holey Moley and a group of restaurants and food outlets. Its current retail offer includes major supermarkets and department-store-style operators such as Target, Kmart, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi, alongside brands including UNIQLO, JB Hi-Fi, TK Maxx, Rebel Sport, Foot Locker, Chemist Warehouse, JD Sports, Adidas and Revo Fitness. Entertainment and activity-based operators include Hoyts, Strike Bowling Bar, Holey Moley and BOUNCEinc. A further redevelopment and repurposing program commenced in 2023. It involved removing the former third-level food court and planning contemporary office suites in partnership with Hub Australia. The former three-level Myer tenancy was closed and parts of the space were allocated to Revo Fitness, BOUNCEinc, UNIQLO, TK Maxx, Rebel Sport and Foot Locker. The redevelopment reflects the centre's shift toward a mixed-use destination rather than a purely conventional retail mall. Plans also referred to a possible eight-storey office tower near the centre, although construction was dependent on securing sufficient tenants. The centre has approximately 88,843 square metres of gross leasable area, more than 200 retail outlets in the broader historical description, and 3,452 car spaces. A later tenant description identifies 241 stores across three levels. The property remains an active regional shopping centre, although its exact ownership structure, current tenant count and final status of planned office development should be verified against current operator or property-owner disclosures.

Bayside Shopping Centre developed from the growth of Frankston's central retail district and the later consolidation of several separately built shopping centres. The first Bayside centre opened on 3 October 1972 between Beach Street and Ross Smith Avenue. Its opening tenant mix consisted of a Myer department store, McEwans hardware, a Ritchies supermarket and 52 specialty stores. The development was owned at that time by the National Mutual Life Association of Australasia. A second retail complex, Balmoral Arcade, was developed by Hanover Holdings at the western end of Station Street. It opened in 1973 with 19 specialty stores. The third component, Quayside Shopping Centre, opened in 1991 on a former car-park area between the earlier centres. Quayside added Target, Coles and 72 specialty stores and was connected with Bayside by an enclosed pedestrian route crossing Ross Smith Avenue. Frankston therefore had three related but operationally distinct retail areas within its central business district. The three-part structure changed in the late 1990s after John Gandel acquired Bayside and Balmoral. The properties were subsequently placed under the administration of CFS Retail Property Trust and later became associated with Vicinity Centres. The consolidation produced the larger shopping-centre format now known as Bayside and enabled a series of significant capital works. The most substantial early redevelopment began in 2004. The approximately $63 million project added a multistorey car park, 55 new stores and a pedestrian bridge over Beach Street. New or expanded retail included Kmart, Aldi and Woolworths. The completed works opened to the public in March 2006. A later upgrade in 2011 reconfigured several tenancies, established a more concentrated fashion offer on one level, introduced a new third-level food court and added Aldi within the expanded centre. The referenced material states that total development expenditure since 1999 had reached about $200 million by 2011. Bayside's role expanded beyond conventional shopping through an entertainment precinct on Wells Street, accessed from Shannon Street Mall. The precinct included a 12-screen Australian multiplex cinema, subsequently operated by Hoyts, as well as Strike Bowling Bar, Holey Moley and multiple restaurants and food outlets. The centre's location also supported a transport-oriented role: Frankston railway station is within walking distance, bus services operate along nearby major roads, and the property provides a large multistorey car park. Another phase of change commenced in 2023. The former third-level food court was removed, with much of the area intended for contemporary office suites in association with Hub Australia. The closure of the large Myer tenancy allowed the space to be divided among new or relocated uses. Revo Fitness and BOUNCEinc were placed on level two, UNIQLO took space on level one, and portions of the former department-store footprint were allocated to TK Maxx, Rebel Sport and Foot Locker. The relocation of some tenants was also intended to support plans for a possible eight-storey office tower adjacent to the centre, subject to tenant demand. The centre is described as having approximately 88,843 square metres of floor space, 3,452 parking spaces and more than 200 retail outlets; another tenant summary refers to 241 stores across three levels. The mix has changed materially over time. Myer, Rivers, Lincraft, Best & Less and Toys R Us are identified as former tenants, while current or later-listed occupants include Target, Kmart, Woolworths, Coles, Aldi, UNIQLO, JB Hi-Fi, TK Maxx, Rebel Sport, Chemist Warehouse, JD Sports, Foot Locker, Adidas, Revo Fitness, BOUNCEinc and Hoyts. Bayside remains an active regional centre, though current ownership, final office-development outcomes and the precise operating tenant count require confirmation from up-to-date property records.

• 2023

  Retail-to-office redevelopment phase

  [1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Redevelopment work began to replace the former food court with planned office suites and to subdivide the former Myer space for new retail, fitness and activity uses.

• 2011

  Further centre upgrade

  [1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  A further upgrade reconfigured stores, expanded fashion retail, added a third-level food court and introduced an Aldi supermarket.

• 2006

  Redevelopment opens

  [1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The 2004 redevelopment was completed and opened to shoppers in March.

• 2004

  Major redevelopment starts

  [1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  A major redevelopment commenced, including a new multistorey car park, 55 additional stores and a bridge over Beach Street.

• 1991

  Quayside Shopping Centre opens

  [1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Quayside opened between the existing retail centres with Target, Coles and 72 specialty stores.

• 1990

  Late-1990s consolidation begins

  [1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  John Gandel acquired Bayside and Balmoral, supporting the eventual integration of Frankston's three principal central retail areas.

• 1973

  Balmoral Arcade opens

  [1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The separately developed Balmoral Arcade opened at the western end of Station Street with 19 specialty stores.

• 1972

  Original Bayside centre opens

  [1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Bayside Shopping Centre opened on 3 October with Myer, McEwans, Ritchies and 52 specialty stores.

Regional shopping centre and mixed-use retail, dining and entertainment destination

• Shopping centre · 1972

  Regional retail centre

  Bayside provides a broad regional retail offer across fashion, food, household goods, electronics, health and beauty, and sporting merchandise. Its historical and later-listed major tenants include Target, Kmart, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi, supported by specialty retailers such as UNIQLO, TK Maxx, Rebel Sport, Foot Locker, JB Hi-Fi, Chemist Warehouse, JD Sports and Adidas.

• Entertainment and dining

  Entertainment precinct

  The Wells Street precinct extends the centre's offer beyond retail. It has included a 12-screen multiplex cinema operated by Hoyts, Strike Bowling Bar, Holey Moley and approximately ten restaurant or food outlets. The precinct is accessed through Shannon Street Mall and contributes to Bayside's role as an evening and leisure destination.

• Fitness and recreation · 2023

  Fitness and activity facilities

  The redevelopment of the former Myer area introduced or accommodated activity-based operators including Revo Fitness and BOUNCEinc. Their presence reflects a broader move toward experiential and service-led uses within the centre.

• Office and flexible workspace · 2023

  Office and coworking suites

  The 2023 redevelopment plan repurposed much of the former third-level food-court area for contemporary office suites intended to be delivered with Hub Australia. The office component represents a mixed-use expansion of Bayside's traditional retail function; its final delivery and operating status require confirmation.

• 2023

  Introduce mixed-use office and experiential redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Changing retail requirements created an opportunity to repurpose the former food-court and department-store areas.

  Action taken

  The plan removed the third-level food court, proposed Hub Australia office suites and allocated former Myer space to fitness, activity, fashion and sporting operators.

  Aftermath

  The project broadened Bayside's intended use beyond shopping, while a proposed adjacent office tower remained dependent on securing tenants.

  Source

• 2011

  Reconfigure the centre around fashion, food and supermarket retailStrategy

  Background

  Bayside continued to adjust its tenant mix after the 2004-2006 redevelopment.

  Action taken

  The centre reconfigured tenancies, devoted a level substantially to fashion stores, added a new food court and expanded Aldi.

  Aftermath

  The referenced material reported that cumulative development expenditure since 1999 had reached approximately AUD 200 million.

  Cumulative development expenditure. Approximately AUD 200 million (Since 1999, reported in 2011)

  Source

• 2004

  Undertake major retail and access redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  The centre's separate retail areas required additional integration, retail capacity and parking to support its regional role.

  Action taken

  A redevelopment program added 55 stores, a multistorey car park and a pedestrian bridge over Beach Street.

  Aftermath

  The completed project opened in March 2006 and expanded Bayside's retail footprint and customer-access infrastructure.

  Redevelopment investment. Approximately AUD 63 million (2004-2006)

  Source

• 2017

  Gas-cylinder explosion near Bob Jane T-Marts[1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A gas cylinder reportedly exploded at a Bob Jane T-Marts workshop outside the centre shortly after 7 p.m. Witnesses described several loud bangs and flames. The incident occurred near the time of heightened public attention following a vehicle attack in Melbourne's central business district.

• 2016

  Power outage followed by disturbance at Bayside Shopping Centre[1]Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A power outage lasting about 30 minutes was followed by a fight involving approximately 20 adolescents. Stores reportedly entered lockdown procedures to protect shoppers, staff and property. The outage was attributed to a fire at a United Energy substation near Frankston railway station.

1. 1Bayside Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org