Centro Bankstown
A major shopping centre in Bankstown, south-western Sydney, Australia.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Bankstown Central is a large shopping centre in Bankstown, in south-western Sydney, New South Wales. The complex began as Bankstown Square, which opened on 21 September 1966 and was developed and owned by Lendlease. At opening, it was described as Australia's largest shopping centre and became one of Sydney's earliest major suburban retail complexes. Its arrival helped establish Bankstown as an important satellite centre for south-western Sydney, bringing major department-store retail and a broad range of commercial, community and government services to the area. The original centre included David Jones, Big W, Woolworths, Nock & Kirby and approximately 100 other stores. It operated beside an earlier Waltons store that had opened in 1961. That adjoining retail space subsequently housed Venture and Norman Ross before being redeveloped for later occupants, including World 4 Kids, JB Hi-Fi, Roni's, Target and other retailers. Ownership changed during the early 2000s. In 2002, Bankstown Square was jointly held by General Property Trust and the Government Superannuation Office. Centro Properties Group acquired GPT's 50 percent interest in October 2002 for A$176 million, and a Centro vehicle acquired the remaining interest in 2003. The centre was then renamed Centro Bankstown. A substantial redevelopment was delivered in two stages. The first stage, completed in July 2006, added approximately 26,000 square metres of retail space on land opposite Lady Cutler Avenue and increased total gross leasable area to about 66,500 square metres. The expansion included a new Woolworths, a large Big W store and 28 additional specialty retailers. Further changes followed in 2006 and 2007, including the relocation of Franklins, the creation of a new mall linking the Grand Market fresh-food precinct with the food court, and the replacement or relocation of several stores. David Jones closed in July 2007 after the expiry of its 40-year lease. Myer subsequently opened on 17 May 2008 in the former David Jones location. The second redevelopment stage also added new stores and other facilities, completing the major program in mid-2008. Centro Properties Group underwent a restructuring in 2011 after financial difficulties and accounting irregularities. The successor entity, Federation Limited, renamed the centre Bankstown Central in 2013. The centre has since continued operating as a major retail and transport-linked destination, with department stores, supermarkets, discount department stores, fashion, electronics, sporting goods, dining and entertainment. Major tenants have included Myer, Big W, Kmart, Woolworths, Uniqlo, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel and Funland. Target closed its Bankstown store in January 2022 after deciding not to renew its lease, while Supa IGA also departed around that time; Coles later opened in the former Supa IGA space in late 2022. The centre is close to Bankstown railway station and is served by extensive bus connections across western and south-western Sydney. It also provides multilevel parking with more than 3,000 spaces. Vicinity Centres has promoted a long-term redevelopment vision for the precinct, involving residential, office, hotel, dining, landscaped public space and transport improvements. The first proposed stage, Bankstown Exchange, is intended to form part of a broader 2050 Bankstown vision.
History
Bankstown Central originated as Bankstown Square, a major suburban shopping centre opened on 21 September 1966 by Lady Cutler, wife of New South Wales Governor Sir Roden Cutler. Lendlease developed and owned the centre. Its opening was significant for Bankstown because it created a large-scale retail and services hub in south-western Sydney, bringing the area major retailers including David Jones, Big W and Woolworths. The centre opened with approximately 100 stores and became a flagship property in Lendlease's portfolio. The centre was adjacent to a Waltons store that had opened in 1961. After Waltons' retail operations changed, the adjoining premises were used by Venture and Norman Ross until 1993, followed by World 4 Kids. Later occupants included JB Hi-Fi, Roni's, Target and other specialty retailers. These changes reflected the continuing adaptation of the wider retail precinct to changing consumer and tenant requirements. By 2002, Bankstown Square was jointly owned by General Property Trust and the Government Superannuation Office. Centro Properties Group bought GPT's half share in October 2002 for A$176 million and acquired the balance through another Centro entity in 2003. The property was renamed Centro Bankstown. Centro then undertook a two-stage redevelopment. Stage one was completed in July 2006 and added about 26,000 square metres of retail area, taking the centre's gross leasable area to approximately 66,500 square metres. The works introduced a new Woolworths, a particularly large Big W and 28 additional specialty stores. Franklins moved into the former Woolworths premises in December 2006, and a new mall opened in November 2007, connecting the Grand Market fresh-food precinct with the food court. The redevelopment also involved considerable tenant turnover. JB Hi-Fi and Tandy Electronics left during the works, while Best & Less moved into the former JB Hi-Fi area. David Jones closed in July 2007 when its long lease expired. The store was considered commercially unsuitable for the local demographics, and Myer replaced it on 17 May 2008. Myer's Bankstown store occupied approximately 10,150 square metres and became the centre's largest individual store. The second redevelopment stage and associated works were completed in mid-2008. Centro Properties Group experienced financial difficulty and accounting irregularities, leading to a restructuring in 2011. Its successor, Federation Limited, rebranded the property Bankstown Central in 2013. The centre continued to evolve as a regional shopping destination, retaining department stores, supermarkets, discount retailers, fashion, electronics, dining and entertainment. Target closed in January 2022 after declining to renew its lease, and Supa IGA also left around the same time. Coles opened in the former Supa IGA space in late 2022. The centre is integrated with the surrounding transport network. Bankstown railway station is within walking distance, and bus services connect the centre with surrounding suburbs and districts including Greater Western Sydney, the Inner West, St George and the Sutherland Shire. The site also has multilevel car parks with 3,224 spaces. Future plans associated with Vicinity Centres' long-term Bankstown vision include apartments, offices, a hotel, new dining and public spaces, an expanded retail and mixed-use area, and a repositioned bus interchange. The proposed first stage is known as Bankstown Exchange.
- 2022
Coles replaces Supa IGA
[1]Coles opened in late 2022 in the space vacated by Supa IGA.
- 2013
Centre renamed Bankstown Central
[1]Federation Limited rebranded Centro Bankstown as Bankstown Central.
- 2011
Centro restructuring
[1]Centro Properties Group was restructured amid financial difficulties and accounting irregularities.
- 2008
Myer opens
[1]Myer opened on 17 May in the former David Jones location.
- 2007
David Jones closes
[1]David Jones left after its 40-year lease expired, enabling the second redevelopment stage.
- 2006
First redevelopment stage completed
[1]The first stage added approximately 26,000 square metres of retail space and new anchor and specialty stores.
- 2003
Centro obtains the remaining interest
[1]A Centro vehicle acquired the remaining 50 percent stake.
- 2002
Centro acquires a half interest
[1]Centro Properties Group acquired General Property Trust's 50 percent interest in the centre.
- 1966
Bankstown Square opens
[1]Bankstown Square opened on 21 September as one of Sydney's first major suburban shopping centres.
- 1961
Waltons store opens beside the future centre
[1]A Waltons store opened adjacent to the site before Bankstown Square was established.
Products and positioning
A major regional shopping and community-services destination serving Bankstown and surrounding areas of south-western Sydney, combining department stores, supermarkets, specialty retail, food, entertainment and transport access.
Shopping-centre retail · 1966
Retail and specialty stores
Bankstown Central brings together fashion, electronics, homewares, sporting goods, discount retail and other specialty categories. Its tenant mix has changed repeatedly through redevelopment and lease turnover, with examples including Uniqlo, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel and other national and local retailers.
Grocery retail · 1966
Supermarkets and fresh food
The centre has historically hosted major grocery anchors including Woolworths and Franklins, with Supa IGA later occupying part of the complex. Coles opened in late 2022 in the former Supa IGA space. The Grand Market precinct provides a dedicated fresh-food component.
Department-store retail · 1966
Department stores
Department-store retail has been central to the centre's identity since opening. David Jones operated from 1966 until 2007, after which Myer opened in the former site in May 2008. Big W has also been a major anchor and was expanded during the 2006 redevelopment.
Food and leisure · 1966
Dining and entertainment
The complex includes a food court, fresh-food trading areas, restaurants and entertainment uses such as Funland. Future redevelopment concepts include a new Eat Street with cafes and restaurants, together with landscaped public areas.
Brand decisions
2025
Bankstown Exchange redevelopment planStrategyBackground
Vicinity Centres proposed a long-term transformation of the shopping-centre precinct under the broader 2050 Bankstown vision.
Action taken
The plan envisages additional mixed-use space, apartments, offices, a hotel, dining, landscaped open areas and a repositioned bus interchange. Bankstown Exchange is identified as the first stage.
Aftermath
The plan is described as a future redevelopment program; completion of the proposed works is not established in the supplied material.
Proposed redevelopment value. A$2 billion (Long-term 2050 Bankstown vision)
2013
Rebranding as Bankstown CentralStrategyBackground
Centro Properties Group had been restructured and succeeded by Federation Limited.
Action taken
Federation Limited changed the centre's name from Centro Bankstown to Bankstown Central.
Aftermath
The property continued operating under the Bankstown Central identity.
2007
Replacement of David Jones by MyerGeneration changeBackground
David Jones closed after its long-term lease expired and the store was considered commercially unsuitable for the local demographic.
Action taken
The former David Jones premises were redeveloped for Myer, which opened on 17 May 2008.
Aftermath
Myer's approximately 10,150-square-metre store became the centre's largest individual store.
2006
First stage of major redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The centre sought to expand its retail footprint and modernise its tenant and anchor-store offer.
Action taken
The first stage added about 26,000 square metres of retail space, a new Woolworths, a large Big W and 28 specialty stores.
Aftermath
The centre's gross leasable area reached approximately 66,500 square metres, followed by further mall and tenant changes.
2002
Centro acquires GPT's interestM&ABackground
Bankstown Square was jointly owned by General Property Trust and the Government Superannuation Office.
Action taken
Centro Properties Group purchased GPT's 50 percent interest for A$176 million.
Aftermath
A Centro vehicle acquired the remaining interest in 2003, and the centre was renamed Centro Bankstown.
Acquisition price for 50 percent interest. A$176 million (October 2002)
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