Karrinyup Shopping Centre
Karrinyup Shopping Centre is a major regional shopping, dining and entertainment complex in Perth, Western Australia.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Karrinyup Shopping Centre is a large regional shopping and entertainment destination in the Perth suburb of Karrinyup, Western Australia. The current centre opened in September 1973 after construction of a substantially larger complex began in 1972. It was developed during a period when Perth's metropolitan planning authorities were encouraging the growth of major retail nodes outside the central business district. Karrinyup was one of several large centres built in middle-distance suburbs and quickly became one of the biggest shopping centres in the state. The centre replaced a much smaller neighbourhood shopping facility established in 1964 on a corner site near Francis Avenue and Karrinyup Avenue. That earlier centre provided everyday services including a grocer, butcher, chemist, hairdresser, newsagent, post office and bank agency. The larger 1973 complex was designed by Cameron, Chisholm Nicol for St Martins Properties and occupied approximately 15 hectares. Its original plan combined department stores, a supermarket, speciality retail, a food hall, extensive parking and a bus transit station. Myer, David Jones, Woolworths and Walsh's menswear were among the principal early tenants. Karrinyup's design reflected contemporary thinking about enclosed suburban retail. The centre incorporated air-conditioned malls, broad terrazzo-floored circulation areas, diffused roof lighting and grade-separated pedestrian access between the car parks and the main retail areas. More than 100,000 people reportedly visited on opening day, filling the original 3,000 parking spaces within the morning. A City of Stirling library was added in 1974. The centre expanded several times as Perth's population and retail market grew. An eastern extension and Big W department store were added in 1981. Further works in the 1980s increased the centre's leasable area, while a major redevelopment carried out during the 1990s added a second level, new speciality stores, a food court and additional multi-storey parking. The redevelopment was officially opened in 1998 and helped restore full occupancy and stronger trading performance. A further transformation began in November 2018, following plans developed from 2014. The approximately A$800 million project added new fashion, fresh-food, dining and entertainment precincts, refurbished existing anchor stores and substantially increased parking capacity. The redevelopment introduced The Loop fashion mall, The Fresh Market, The Cafe Terrace and The West Deck. Its tenant mix included international and national brands such as H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, Sephora, Nike, Adidas, Mecca, JD Sports, JB Hi-Fi and Lego. Entertainment additions included a ten-screen Hoyts cinema, Strike Bowling, Holey Moley Golf Club, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq and Goodlife Health Clubs. The project also incorporated two apartment buildings, an unusual mixed-use feature for a Western Australian shopping centre. The redeveloped centre opened in stages during 2021. The first stage opened in July with the fresh-food precinct and the ground floor of The Loop, followed by the upper level and dining areas in October. The final stage opened later that month with the outdoor dining and entertainment precinct. Karrinyup now operates as a destination combining department stores, discount department retail, supermarkets, speciality shops, food and beverage, cinema, leisure and community-oriented activities. Its positioning is regional rather than purely convenience-based: the centre serves as a major retail and social destination for Perth's northern suburbs while retaining everyday grocery and service functions.
History
The first Karrinyup Shopping Centre was a small neighbourhood complex built in 1964 on a leased corner site. Developed by LJ Wallis for Karrinyup Investments, it contained a compact collection of food, personal-service and banking tenants and provided parking for about 100 cars. It was intended as an interim facility before development of a much larger centre. Perth's metropolitan planning environment changed during the late 1960s and early 1970s. The Metropolitan Regional Planning Authority's Corridor Plan sought to establish major retail centres in several suburban nodes, reducing dependence on the central business district. Although Karrinyup was outside the principal corridors identified in the plan, it emerged alongside other large suburban centres as Perth's population expanded. Construction of the present centre began in April 1972. St Martins Properties commissioned Cameron, Chisholm Nicol to design a large enclosed complex on a site of roughly 15 hectares. The scheme included two department stores, a supermarket, speciality retail, a food hall, a bus facility and around 3,000 parking spaces. Its air-conditioned malls, natural roof lighting, wide circulation routes and separated pedestrian access were notable features for the period. The centre opened on 17 September 1973. A brief lighting failure occurred immediately before opening, but service was restored within minutes. Attendance exceeded 100,000 people on the first day, and the car parks reached capacity early in the morning. A public library operated by the City of Stirling opened at the complex in 1974. Further expansion followed in 1981, when the eastern side of the mall was enlarged and a Big W discount department store was introduced. Additional works in 1982 and 1987 increased the centre's retail capacity. In November 1991, Karrinyup became the first shopping centre in Western Australia reported to have imposed a complete indoor smoking ban. A substantial redevelopment was undertaken during the 1990s. Works included additional supermarket space, a second storey along the principal mall, a new mall axis, approximately 60 speciality stores, a food court and two multi-storey car parks. Myer also refurbished its store. The project was completed in 1998 and formally opened in September of that year. Occupancy rose from the early post-opening level to full occupancy by March 1999, and the centre's trading performance strengthened as the enlarged offer matured. The design of the food court incorporated daylight and a connection to outdoor space, anticipating the later importance of alfresco dining. Ownership changed over time. The centre was initially associated with St Martins Properties. By the late 1990s, interests were held by UniSuper and property investment vehicles associated with Schroders. In 2002, AMP Shopping Centre Trust acquired an outstanding minority interest, with the various holdings consolidated into the KSC Trust. In 2012, Westfield Group and Westfield Retail Trust sold their combined one-third interest to UniSuper, leaving UniSuper with full ownership according to the referenced account. The most extensive transformation in the centre's history began in November 2018. The redevelopment had been planned for several years and was reported at approximately A$800 million. It replaced or expanded substantial parts of the existing retail environment, added new parking structures and introduced a mixed-use element with two apartment buildings. The commercial programme was organised around The Loop fashion precinct, The Fresh Market, The Cafe Terrace and The West Deck. Opening occurred in three principal stages in 2021. The first stage, opened on 29 July, added the fresh-food precinct and the lower level of The Loop. The second stage opened on 7 October with the upper level of The Loop and The Cafe Terrace. The final stage opened on 28 October with outdoor dining, cinema and leisure facilities. Opening celebrations included a Play x Eat Festival and the arrival of Western Australia's first Lego store. The completed centre broadened Karrinyup's role from a traditional regional mall to an integrated shopping, dining and entertainment destination.
- 2021
Redevelopment completed in stages
[1]The Fresh Market, The Loop, The Cafe Terrace and The West Deck open between July and October, completing the principal redevelopment programme.
- 2018
Major redevelopment construction starts
[1]Work begins on the centre's large-scale retail, dining, entertainment, parking and residential expansion.
- 2012
UniSuper becomes sole owner
[1]Westfield Group and Westfield Retail Trust sell their combined one-third interest to UniSuper.
- 2002
Ownership interests consolidated through KSC Trust
[1]AMP Shopping Centre Trust acquires an outstanding minority interest and the relevant property interests are placed into the KSC Trust.
- 1998
Major 1990s redevelopment officially opens
[1]The expanded mall, new food court, additional speciality retail and new parking facilities are formally opened.
- 1991
Indoor smoking ban introduced
[1]Karrinyup becomes the first Western Australian shopping centre reported to implement a complete indoor smoking ban.
- 1981
Eastern extension and Big W added
[1]A small redevelopment expands the eastern mall and introduces a Big W discount department store.
- 1974
City of Stirling library opens
[1]A City of Stirling library is added to the centre one year after its opening.
- 1973
Current Karrinyup Shopping Centre opens
[1]The centre officially opens on 17 September with department stores, supermarket retail, speciality shops, a food hall and extensive parking.
- 1972
Construction of the major centre begins
[1]St Martins Properties begins construction of the large enclosed regional shopping centre designed by Cameron, Chisholm Nicol.
Products and positioning
A large, contemporary regional shopping and lifestyle destination serving Perth's northern suburbs, combining major department stores and supermarkets with international fashion, dining, entertainment and leisure.
Fashion retail precinct · 2021
The Loop
A two-level fashion and lifestyle precinct created during the 2019–2021 redevelopment. It brought together international and Australian fashion, beauty, sporting and lifestyle retailers, including H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, Sephora, Mecca, Nike, Adidas, JD Sports and other major brands.
Fresh food and grocery precinct · 2021
The Fresh Market
The centre's expanded fresh-food offer, anchored by Coles and Aldi and supported by speciality food retailers. It was designed to combine everyday grocery shopping with a broader market-style food experience.
Food court and dining · 2021
The Cafe Terrace
A second-level dining area introduced as part of the redevelopment. The precinct contains a broad collection of restaurants and food outlets and complements the centre's earlier food-hall and food-court functions.
Outdoor dining and entertainment · 2021
The West Deck
An alfresco precinct combining restaurants, cinema and leisure attractions. Its offer includes Hoyts, Strike Bowling, Holey Moley Golf Club, Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, Goodlife Health Clubs and additional dining venues.
Department stores and supermarkets · 1973
Major anchor stores
Karrinyup's anchor offer includes Myer, David Jones, Big W, Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. These stores provide department-store, discount department, grocery and household shopping functions that support the centre's regional catchment.
Cinema · 2021
Hoyts Karrinyup
A ten-screen cinema complex introduced in the final stage of the 2019–2021 redevelopment as part of the centre's shift toward a combined retail, dining and entertainment destination.
Marketing campaigns
- 2021Play x Eat Festival
Australia
A launch-period event series used to celebrate the opening of the later redevelopment stages, combining food, retail and entertainment programming.
Outcome. The festival supported the public opening of the new dining and entertainment offer, including the arrival of the first Lego store in Western Australia.
Brand decisions
2018
Proceed with major mixed-use redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The centre had planned a significant expansion to strengthen its position in Perth's competitive regional retail market.
Action taken
Construction began on a large redevelopment adding fashion, fresh food, dining, entertainment, parking and two apartment complexes.
Aftermath
The project was delivered through staged openings in 2021 and substantially broadened the centre's offer.
Reported redevelopment cost. A$800 million (Project announced and constructed from 2018; amount reported in reference material)
1991
Adopt an indoor smoking banStrategyBackground
Smoking restrictions in enclosed public and retail environments were becoming a prominent health and consumer issue.
Action taken
Karrinyup introduced a complete ban on smoking inside the shopping centre.
Aftermath
The policy attracted attention across Western Australia. Some tenants expressed concern about customer rights, while other centres reportedly viewed the initiative positively.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/karrinyup-shopping-centre · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled