Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
A major regional shopping centre in Broadbeach Waters on Queensland’s Gold Coast.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Pacific Fair Shopping Centre is a major regional shopping and leisure complex in Broadbeach Waters on the Gold Coast, Queensland. It serves the Gold Coast’s large resident population as well as domestic and international visitors drawn to the region’s tourism, beaches and entertainment districts. The centre occupies approximately 166,000 square metres and is one of the largest retail destinations in Queensland, with department stores, discount department stores, supermarkets, fashion retailers, technology stores, food outlets, entertainment and extensive parking. The centre was built on former swampland beside Little Tallebudgera Creek. Its origins date to planning work begun in 1963, although development was delayed during the late 1960s. Construction began in May 1976 under Hooker Retail Developments. The original design, prepared by John C. Barrett and architect Bill Job, drew inspiration from shopping-centre and themed-environment concepts encountered during international research. Pacific Fair opened on 23 August 1977 with McDonnell & East, Kmart, Coles and 96 specialty stores. Its outdoor, themed architecture included mock-Tudor buildings, European-style streets, an Asian village and a French Quarter, helping it become a distinctive Gold Coast attraction and surpass the former Sundale Shopping Centre in Southport as the region’s leading retail centre. Pacific Fair evolved through several major redevelopment cycles. A 1982 project added Myer, an enlarged and relocated Coles, and additional specialty stores. Large expansion plans announced in the late 1980s led to the creation of The Village and a major indoor retail structure completed in stages between 1990 and 1992. The complex became informally associated with its pink roofline and turrets, earning the nickname “Pink Palace.” During the 1990s it added a large Myer store, a Birch Carroll & Coyle cinema complex, and the short-lived Daimaru department store, which operated from 1998 until Daimaru withdrew from Australia in 2002. A proposed expansion lodged in 2007 was delayed by the global financial crisis. Work eventually began in January 2014 on a redevelopment reported at approximately A$670 million. Completed in stages between 2014 and May 2016, the project substantially changed the centre’s appearance and internal layout. It replaced much of the earlier outdoor mall, removed the pink turreted facade, expanded parking and retail areas, and introduced new precincts including The Patio and The Resort. The redevelopment added more than 120 specialty stores, bringing the centre’s specialty-retail offer to more than 400 stores. New or expanded tenants included David Jones, H&M, Uniqlo, Sephora, Zara, Louis Vuitton, JB Hi-Fi Home, Woolworths, Big W and Event Cinemas, alongside established retailers such as Myer, Kmart, Target, Coles and Rebel. Pacific Fair is supported by multiple transport options. Its bus station connects with destinations including Robina, Nerang, Main Beach, Sea World, Tweed Heads and the Gold Coast University Hospital. Broadbeach South station on the Gold Coast’s G:link light-rail system is within walking distance, while a free shopping shuttle provides daily service from areas including Main Beach. Multi-level parking provides approximately 6,500 spaces. The centre’s ownership and management arrangements have changed over time. It was sold to AMP Capital in 1978, and ownership interests later involved investment vehicles and institutional investors. In 2021, Dexus Wholesale Property Fund offered to acquire a 20 percent interest in stakes held by AMP Capital, with UniSuper and Cbus Property also introduced to the relevant investment structure. Management transferred from the Australian Capital Retail Trust to GPT Group in September 2022. Pacific Fair remains an active retail and entertainment destination, although its exact ownership interests and operating structure may change as property funds and managers evolve.
History
Pacific Fair was planned from 1963 for a site beside Little Tallebudgera Creek in what is now Broadbeach Waters. The land was formerly swampland, and development was deferred through the late 1960s. Plans resumed after the opening of Sundale Shopping Centre in Southport demonstrated the potential for large-scale retail on the Gold Coast. Hooker Retail Developments undertook the project, with design work led by state manager John C. Barrett and architect Bill Job. Construction began in May 1976 and took 16 months, at a reported cost of about A$17 million. The centre opened on 23 August 1977 with McDonnell & East, Kmart, Coles and 96 specialty stores. Its original 17-hectare site used a themed outdoor format, including mock-Tudor buildings, European-style thoroughfares, Asian-inspired areas with fish ponds and a French Quarter. Pacific Fair quickly became the Gold Coast’s leading shopping centre. AMP Capital acquired it in 1978 while Hooker Developments retained management responsibilities at that stage. The first major redevelopment followed in 1982, adding Myer, a larger relocated Coles and 32 specialty stores. Further expansion plans were announced in 1987 and 1989, eventually increasing the centre by about 87,500 square metres. A bridge across Little Tallebudgera Creek was completed in 1989 to improve access from the Gold Coast Highway. The first stage of the next redevelopment opened in 1990 as The Village, replacing much of the earlier open-air kiosk and teepee environment with a two-level enclosed mall. The final stages were completed in 1992, including a prominent pink facade and a relocated four-level Myer with an atrium, waterfall, skylight and glass-backed lifts. This appearance led to the nickname “Pink Palace.” McDonnell & East ceased trading in January 1994. Target subsequently opened on the ground floor of the former store, followed by Toys “R” Us. In 1997, a 12-screen Birch Carroll & Coyle cinema opened with a special screening of the re-released Star Wars. Daimaru opened in September 1998 after a reported A$40 million expansion, but closed in January 2002 when the Japanese chain exited Australia. Rebel Sport also opened at the centre in 2002. A substantial expansion proposal was lodged in 2007 by AMP Capital Partners and Westfield Group. It contemplated additional retail space, parking, supermarkets, cinemas, mini-majors and after-hours dining. The global financial crisis postponed the project until 2013. Construction began in January 2014 on a redevelopment reported at approximately A$670 million. The project replaced much of the former outdoor central area with enclosed retail space, removed the pink turrets and introduced a new visual identity. The redevelopment opened in stages. The north-east mall reopened in November 2014 with a relocated Target and JB Hi-Fi Home. In June 2015, a new south-west section opened with a relocated Coles, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us and specialty retailers. Further openings in August added Woolworths, Big W, Rebel, a fresh-food market and additional specialty stores. Event Cinemas reopened in November with Gold Class auditoriums and a VMax theatre, while The Patio dining precinct opened shortly afterward. The final stage opened in May 2016, adding The Resort, a landscaped open-air retail and leisure area with fountains, palms and cabanas, as well as David Jones and a range of international brands. Zara opened in October 2016 and Culture Kings in December. By the end of the redevelopment, Pacific Fair had added more than 120 specialty stores and exceeded 400 specialty retailers. The centre now combines department stores, supermarkets, fashion, luxury, beauty, electronics, food and entertainment. It has approximately 166,000 square metres of floor space and around 6,500 parking spaces. Its transport connections include a dedicated bus station, nearby Broadbeach South light-rail station and a free customer shuttle. Property interests have involved AMP Capital and investment vehicles associated with the Australian Capital Retail Trust. In 2021, Dexus Wholesale Property Fund offered to acquire a 20 percent interest in AMP Capital-held stakes, with UniSuper and Cbus Property also introduced to the investment structure. Management transferred from ACRT to GPT Group in September 2022. Pacific Fair continues to operate as a major regional shopping and leisure destination on the Gold Coast.
- 2022
Management transfers to GPT Group
[1]GPT Group assumed management of Pacific Fair from ACRT.
- 2016
Redevelopment completed
[1]The final redevelopment stage opened The Resort, David Jones and additional international retailers.
- 2014
Major redevelopment starts
[1]Work began on the centre’s staged redevelopment and rebranding.
- 1998
Daimaru opens
[1]Japanese department store Daimaru opened after a major expansion.
- 1992
Pink Palace redevelopment completed
[1]The major 1980s expansion concluded with the new pink facade and relocated four-level Myer store.
- 1982
First major redevelopment
[1]Myer, a relocated Coles and 32 specialty stores were added.
- 1977
Pacific Fair opens
[1]The centre opened on 23 August with four major anchor retailers and 96 specialty stores.
- 1976
Construction begins
[1]Construction began in May on former swampland beside Little Tallebudgera Creek.
- 1963
Initial planning begins
[1]Plans for a major shopping centre on the future Pacific Fair site were first developed.
Products and positioning
A large, destination-oriented Gold Coast retail, dining and entertainment centre combining mainstream Australian department stores and supermarkets with international fashion, luxury, beauty, lifestyle and leisure brands.
Shopping centre · 1977
Retail shopping centre
Pacific Fair provides a broad multi-category retail environment with department stores, discount department stores, supermarkets, fashion, luxury, beauty, electronics, homewares, sporting goods and specialty retail. Its tenant mix is designed to serve both everyday local shopping and destination visits by tourists and interstate travellers.
Cinema and entertainment · 1997
Event Cinemas Pacific Fair
The cinema complex forms part of Pacific Fair’s entertainment offer. It reopened during the 2015 redevelopment with Gold Class cinemas and a VMax auditorium, complementing the centre’s dining and leisure precincts.
Leisure and dining precinct · 2016
The Resort
The Resort is an open-air precinct introduced in the final stage of the 2014–2016 redevelopment. Its design uses fountains, palms and cabana-style spaces to create a resort-like setting within the shopping centre.
Dining precinct · 2015
The Patio
The Patio is a casual dining area added during the redevelopment, linking parts of the centre and providing a cluster of food and beverage outlets near the retail malls.
Brand decisions
2021
Institutional ownership interests changeM&ABackground
Pacific Fair was held through property investment structures associated with AMP Capital and ACRT.
Action taken
Dexus Wholesale Property Fund offered to acquire a 20 percent interest in AMP Capital-held stakes, while UniSuper and Cbus Property were introduced to the investment structure.
Aftermath
The ownership structure remained institutionally held, with management later transferring to GPT Group.
2014
A$670 million redevelopment beginsGeneration changeBackground
Pacific Fair required a large-scale physical and commercial renewal to support the Gold Coast’s projected regional growth.
Action taken
A staged redevelopment and rebranding began, replacing much of the former outdoor mall, removing the pink turreted facade and expanding retail, parking, dining and entertainment facilities.
Aftermath
The project was completed in 2016, adding more than 120 specialty stores and expanding the centre to more than 400 specialty retailers.
Reported redevelopment cost. A$670 million (2014–2016)
2007
Expansion proposal lodgedStrategyBackground
Population growth, tourism and competition from nearby Robina Town Centre increased pressure to modernise and enlarge Pacific Fair.
Action taken
AMP Capital Partners and Westfield Group lodged a development application proposing additional retail space, parking, supermarkets, cinemas, specialty stores and dining.
Aftermath
The proposal was delayed during the global financial crisis and was not advanced into construction until 2014.
Sources2 sources
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