Chatswood Chase
A major shopping centre in Chatswood on Sydney's Lower North Shore.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Chatswood Chase is a large shopping centre in Chatswood, New South Wales, serving the Lower North Shore of Sydney. It was developed in response to long-term planning by Willoughby Council to strengthen Chatswood as a regional retail and community centre. The project followed competing proposals from David Jones and Grace Bros during the 1970s, with the David Jones-backed proposal ultimately receiving approval in 1978 after disputes involving Grace Bros and the New South Wales Government. Construction activity began in 1981 on a site that required substantial urban redevelopment. Residential cottages and a church were removed, sections of Neridah Street and Mills Lane were closed and incorporated into the development, and a natural watercourse was diverted and placed underground. The centre was developed by Loralt Chatswood, initially with equal ownership by Loralt (NSW) Pty Ltd and the Superannuation Fund Investment Trust. Loralt later became the sole owner in November 1987. The centre officially opened on 23 March 1983 and quickly became one of the principal retail destinations in the Chatswood commercial district. At opening, the centre included major department-store and supermarket tenants such as David Jones, Myer, Kmart and Coles New World. Myer's presence was notable because the centre hosted the retailer's only New South Wales store for a period. The Myer space later became a Grace Bros store and subsequently closed; part of the vacated area was converted into a food court and additional specialty retail space. The tenant mix has continued to evolve with changes in Australian department-store, electronics and supermarket retailing. Apple opened its second Australian Apple Store at Chatswood Chase in August 2008, adding a prominent technology and experiential retail component. The centre changed ownership in September 2003 when it was sold to the CFS Gandel Retail Trust. A major redevelopment began in 2007 and was completed in 2010. The project added approximately 10,300 square metres of gross lettable area, enlarged and relocated the Coles supermarket, expanded lower-ground retail space, introduced a new food court, added approximately 130 car spaces and upgraded the Victoria Avenue entrance. Following the works, the centre adopted the name Chatswood Chase Sydney. Its reported floor space is approximately 63,815 square metres, with major retailers including David Jones, Kmart, Coles and Apple. GIC acquired a 49 percent interest in November 2017. Vicinity Centres announced in October 2023 that it would reacquire that interest, and the transaction was completed in March 2024, returning full ownership to Vicinity. A further redevelopment announced in 2019 was planned to add roughly 20,000 square metres of retail area, two new levels of shops, a seven-screen cinema, a dining plaza, extended trading hours and gym and wellness facilities. The project was postponed indefinitely in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and later commenced in March 2024. According to the supplied reference material, a staged reopening began on 23 October 2025, with full reopening expected in the first half of 2026. Chatswood Chase is positioned as a higher-quality regional shopping destination combining department stores, supermarkets, specialty retail, food and beverage, technology retail and customer services. It benefits from Chatswood's position as a major commercial and transport hub, with access to Chatswood railway and metro services, frequent bus routes and multilevel parking. The centre has approximately 2,434 car spaces and serves both local residents and visitors from surrounding northern Sydney suburbs.
History
Chatswood Chase emerged from Willoughby Council's plans in the early 1970s to consolidate Chatswood as a major regional centre for retail and community infrastructure. David Jones proposed a shopping centre on an Archer Street site that would include both David Jones and Myer department stores. The site received an Interim Development Order in 1975, while rival retailer Grace Bros proposed an alternative development beside its existing Victoria Avenue store, which had opened in 1961. After disputes between Grace Bros and the state government, the David Jones proposal was approved in 1978. Pre-development work began in 1981, before Grace Bros abandoned its final legal challenge. The project reshaped the site considerably: residential cottages and a church were demolished, although the church was later reconstructed on nearby land; portions of Neridah Street and Mills Lane were permanently closed; and an open watercourse was piped and diverted. Loralt Chatswood developed the centre, with Loralt (NSW) Pty Ltd and the Superannuation Fund Investment Trust initially holding equal interests. Loralt acquired full ownership in November 1987. The development was associated with Melbourne investors Maurie Alter, Marc Besen, Ted Lustig and Max Moar, and construction was completed in approximately 14 months. Chatswood Chase opened on 23 March 1983. Its initial tenant mix included Coles New World, Kmart, David Jones and Myer. For a time, Myer operated its only New South Wales store at the centre. The Myer premises later became a Grace Bros store, briefly giving Chatswood two Grace Bros locations, before Grace Bros closed. The former department-store area was subsequently adapted for a food court and specialty retailers. In September 2003, ownership transferred to the CFS Gandel Retail Trust. A substantial redevelopment commenced in 2007 at an indicated cost of approximately $185 million. The project expanded gross lettable area by about 10,300 square metres, moved Coles into a larger space, enlarged the lower-ground retail level, added a food court and approximately 130 parking spaces, and improved the Victoria Avenue entry. The works concluded in 2010 and the centre was renamed Chatswood Chase Sydney. Apple opened its second Australian store there on 9 August 2008. Harvey Norman left in August 2012 after poor sales, with JB Hi-Fi taking over the location. In November 2017, GIC purchased a 49 percent interest. Vicinity Centres later announced the reacquisition of that stake in October 2023, completing the purchase in March 2024. A further expansion was announced in May 2019. The proposed approximately $327 million scheme included two additional retail levels, a seven-screen cinema, a sunken dining plaza, extended trading hours and gym and wellness facilities, with around 20,000 square metres of additional retail space. The plan was postponed indefinitely on 10 June 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The supplied reference states that work eventually began in March 2024, with a staged reopening from 23 October 2025 and full reopening anticipated during the first half of 2026. The centre has approximately 63,815 square metres of floor space and about 2,434 parking spaces. It is connected to Chatswood's wider transport network through nearby rail and metro services, buses serving Victoria Avenue and Archer Street, and road access from the surrounding northern Sydney suburbs.
- 2024
Vicinity regains full ownership and redevelopment starts
[1]Vicinity Centres completed its reacquisition of GIC's interest in March and redevelopment work began later that month.
- 2020
Expansion postponed
[1]The proposed redevelopment was postponed indefinitely in June because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2019
Further expansion announced
[1]Plans were announced for a large expansion with new retail levels, cinema, dining and wellness components.
- 2017
GIC acquires minority interest
[1]GIC purchased a 49 percent shareholding in November 2017.
- 2010
Redevelopment concludes and centre is renamed
[1]The 2007 expansion concluded and the centre adopted the name Chatswood Chase Sydney.
- 2007
Major expansion begins
[1]A major redevelopment commenced, adding retail area, parking, a larger Coles and upgraded customer facilities.
- 2003
Sale to CFS Gandel Retail Trust
[1]The centre was sold to CFS Gandel Retail Trust in September 2003.
- 1987
Loralt becomes sole owner
[1]Loralt acquired full ownership of the centre in November 1987.
- 1983
Chatswood Chase opens
[1]The centre officially opened on 23 March 1983 with David Jones, Myer, Kmart and Coles New World among its major tenants.
- 1981
Pre-development work begins
[1]Site clearance and infrastructure changes began before construction of the shopping centre.
Products and positioning
A major regional shopping centre combining department stores, supermarkets, specialty retail, food and beverage, technology, services and planned lifestyle amenities for Chatswood and Sydney's Lower North Shore.
Department stores · 1983
Department-store retail
Chatswood Chase's department-store offer has historically included David Jones, Myer and Grace Bros at different stages. These stores provide broad merchandise ranges covering fashion, beauty, homewares and general household goods, and have been central to the centre's regional-shopping role.
Supermarket · 1983
Coles
Coles provides the centre's supermarket anchor, selling groceries, fresh food, household products and everyday necessities. During the 2007–2010 redevelopment, the supermarket was relocated into a larger retail area.
Discount department store · 1983
Kmart
Kmart is a major value-oriented anchor offering apparel, home products, toys, basic electronics and other general merchandise. Its presence complements the centre's department stores and specialty retailers.
Technology retail · 2008
Apple
The Apple Store offers Apple's consumer hardware, accessories and related customer services in a branded, experiential retail environment. The Chatswood location opened in 2008 as Apple's second Australian store.
Food and dining · 2010
Food and beverage precinct
Food and beverage facilities form an important part of the centre's customer offer. The earlier redevelopment introduced a new food court, while later expansion plans proposed a larger dining environment and a sunken dining plaza.
Brand decisions
2023
Vicinity reacquires GIC's 49 percent interestM&ABackground
GIC had held a 49 percent shareholding since November 2017, while Vicinity Centres announced a plan to regain the interest.
Action taken
Vicinity announced the reacquisition in October 2023; completion occurred in March 2024.
Aftermath
Vicinity returned to full ownership of Chatswood Chase, allowing the redevelopment to proceed under unified ownership.
2019
Proposed lifestyle-led expansionStrategyBackground
The centre announced plans to increase its retail footprint and broaden its offer beyond conventional shopping.
Action taken
The proposal included two new shopping levels, a seven-screen cinema, a dining plaza, longer trading hours and gym and wellness facilities.
Aftermath
The project was postponed indefinitely in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and later commenced in March 2024 after Vicinity returned to full ownership.
Proposed expansion cost. $327 million planned investment (Announced 2019; redevelopment later commenced in 2024)
2007
Major centre redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The centre required additional retail capacity and upgraded facilities to maintain its role as a major Chatswood destination.
Action taken
The owner commenced an approximately $185 million redevelopment that expanded retail space, enlarged Coles, added a food court and parking, and improved the Victoria Avenue entrance.
Aftermath
The works concluded in 2010 and the centre was renamed Chatswood Chase Sydney.
Redevelopment cost. $185 million planned investment (2007–2010)
Sources1 sources
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