Vermont South Shopping Centre
An indoor-outdoor neighbourhood shopping centre in Vermont South, Melbourne, anchored by Coles and Aldi.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Vermont South Shopping Centre is an indoor-outdoor retail complex in the Melbourne suburb of Vermont South, Victoria. It opened in 1974 during a period of rapid suburban expansion on Melbourne's eastern fringe and was developed by Hanover Holdings, a private property company associated with the earlier Forest Hills Shopping Centre development. The centre was planned as part of a broader suburban development scheme on land that had previously been used largely for orchards and was accompanied by new residential streets and other commercial premises. The original complex was designed by architect Ray Barnard-Brown as a rectangular retail block with large anchor tenancies at opposite ends. Venture occupied one of the original department-store spaces, while Coles New World operated the supermarket anchor. An enclosed mall of approximately 45 specialty stores connected the major tenants, with additional shops positioned along the front and rear service roads. The development also included a separate restaurant and a Mobil service station. Architectural details associated with the original centre include timber-boarded skylight shafts manufactured by Atlas, occasional brown-brick surfaces, linoleum and terrazzo finishes, and popcorn ceilings retained in parts of the indoor mall. The centre was officially opened on 22 October 1974 by Joe Rafferty, then Victoria's Minister for Labour and Industry and Minister for Consumer Affairs. Its ownership history subsequently became complex. After Hanover Holdings separated in the late 1970s, the property was retained by Maurice Alter's Pacific Group and was acquired by Westpac during the 1980s. In later decades, the centre was held through multiple strata-title interests rather than by a single clearly identified operating group. The property has undergone several rounds of alteration. In 1984, Maurice Alter commissioned Meldrum, Burrows & Partners to prepare visual and functional improvements. The works introduced a new fascia treatment, divided the former Venture tenancy and created seven additional shops. A canopy over the southern entrance was extended in 1990 as part of a signage upgrade, although the extension was later reversed because trucks frequently struck it on the service road. In 2013, Aldi acquired and refurbished a substantial portion of the former department-store space, adding windows, a loading dock and updated internal fittings. A broader refurbishment began in 2021. It included internal and external repainting, removal of carpet and replacement of deteriorated fascia and canopies. Soon after that work was completed, Coles undertook a reported $10 million upgrade of its 4,216-square-metre supermarket. The renovated store added or improved deli, bakery and fresh-food areas and upgraded click-and-collect facilities. The refreshed Coles supermarket opened in late August 2022 at an event involving federal member of parliament Michael Sukkar. Today, Vermont South Shopping Centre serves the surrounding residential area with Coles and Aldi as its principal supermarket anchors, approximately 50 specialty stores and parking for about 650 vehicles. Its offer is centred on grocery shopping, everyday services, food and beverage, personal care and convenience retail rather than destination luxury or large-scale regional shopping. The centre remains notable for combining later retail upgrades with surviving elements of its 1970s suburban shopping-centre architecture.
History
Vermont South Shopping Centre was developed by Hanover Holdings as Melbourne's eastern suburbs expanded toward former orchard land. Hanover was associated with Forest Hills Shopping Centre, opened in 1964, and its executives acquired more than 150 hectares in the Vermont South area with the broader intention of developing housing estates. In mid-1973, the company announced a regional shopping complex on Burwood Highway, together with approximately 260 houses. Architect Ray Barnard-Brown designed the centre as a rectangular retail complex with anchor stores at each end and an indoor mall of roughly 45 specialty shops. The original anchors were Venture and Coles New World. Shops also occupied the service-road frontage, while a restaurant and Mobil service station were developed alongside the main centre. Atlas supplied distinctive timber-boarded skylight shafts, and parts of the original interior retained popcorn ceilings and 1970s materials including brick, linoleum and terrazzo. The development also created or extended several surrounding streets, including Hanover Road, Kiama Close, Woodleigh Crescent, Pelham Drive, Myriong Avenue and Wilpena Place. The centre officially opened on 22 October 1974, when it was opened by Joe Rafferty, Victoria's Minister for Labour and Industry and Minister for Consumer Affairs. After Hanover Holdings split in the late 1970s, the property remained associated with Maurice Alter's Pacific Group. Westpac acquired it in the 1980s, after which ownership became distributed among several entities using strata titles. Alter commissioned Meldrum, Burrows & Partners in 1984 to undertake visual and functional improvements. The project produced a new fascia design, divided the former Venture premises for replacement tenants and added seven shops. The southern entrance canopy was extended in 1990 during a signage upgrade, but was later returned to its earlier form because trucks regularly hit the extension on the service road. Aldi took over and refurbished a large part of the former department-store tenancy in 2013. The work added windows, a new loading dock and updated fittings. A wider centre renewal began in 2021, involving repainting, carpet removal and replacement of aged fascia and canopies. The subsequent Coles redevelopment upgraded the 4,216-square-metre supermarket with a new deli, bakery, fresh-food section and improved click-and-collect infrastructure. The completed store opened in late August 2022 at an event attended by Michael Sukkar MP. The surrounding activity centre also changed over time. A Mobil service station built in 1974 was replaced in 1990 by 14 brick shops. A 1992 Nunawading Council structure plan proposed a broader mix of office and retail uses for the area. Shell Australia's later proposal for a petrol station, McDonald's drive-through, Blockbuster store, cafe and shops generated objections from nearby traders and other objectors concerned about overdevelopment and the council's role in the land transaction. The project nevertheless proceeded in 1995–1996. The adjacent McDonald's opened in December 1995, while the Blockbuster premises later became a Snap Fitness gym in 2012. Vermont South Shopping Centre continues to operate as a neighbourhood retail centre anchored by Coles and Aldi, with approximately 50 specialty stores and parking for about 650 cars.
- 2022
Coles upgrade completed
[1]The upgraded Coles supermarket opened with expanded fresh-food and collection facilities.
- 2021
Centre-wide refurbishment begins
[1]Internal and external repainting, carpet removal and fascia and canopy replacement commenced.
- 2013
Aldi redevelopment
[1]Aldi renovated a substantial former department-store area for supermarket use.
- 1990
Southern entrance signage works
[1]The southern entrance canopy was extended during signage upgrades, although the extension was later removed after repeated truck strikes.
- 1984
First major redesign
[1]The centre received a new fascia, a reconfigured former Venture tenancy and seven additional shops.
- 1974
Centre opens
[1]Vermont South Shopping Centre officially opened on 22 October with Venture and Coles New World as anchor tenants.
- 1973
Regional centre plans announced
[1]Hanover announced plans for a shopping complex on Burwood Highway alongside a residential development of approximately 260 houses.
- 1964
Hanover develops Forest Hills Shopping Centre
[1]The earlier Forest Hills project established Hanover Holdings as a suburban shopping-centre developer before its Vermont South plans.
Products and positioning
A local Melbourne suburban shopping centre focused on grocery anchors, everyday convenience, specialty retail and community-serving services.
Supermarket anchor · 1974
Coles supermarket
Coles is one of the centre's principal anchors. Its original New World operation formed part of the 1974 development, and the supermarket later received a major upgrade to its 4,216-square-metre premises. The modernised store includes improved deli, bakery and fresh-food departments, together with upgraded click-and-collect facilities.
Supermarket anchor · 2013
Aldi supermarket
Aldi occupies a large former department-store tenancy. Its 2013 redevelopment introduced windows, a new loading dock and updated fittings, converting the space into a contemporary discount-supermarket format and strengthening the centre's grocery-led role.
Neighbourhood retail · 1974
Specialty retail and services
The indoor mall and service-road frontages contain approximately 50 specialty tenancies. The available reference material identifies the centre's role as a provider of everyday retail, food and beverage, personal services and local convenience offerings, but does not provide a complete current tenant directory.
Brand decisions
2022
Upgrade the Coles supermarketGeneration changeBackground
The centre-wide refurbishment was followed by a major investment in its principal Coles supermarket.
Action taken
Coles upgraded the 4,216-square-metre store with new or improved deli, bakery, fresh-food and click-and-collect facilities.
Aftermath
The renewed supermarket opened in late August 2022 and reinforced the centre's grocery-led positioning.
Reported investment. $10 million (2022)
2021
Refresh the centre's ageing common areasStrategyBackground
The centre required external and internal maintenance after decades of operation.
Action taken
A refurbishment programme repainted the complex, removed carpet and replaced deteriorated fascia and canopies.
Aftermath
The work modernised the presentation of the centre while retaining elements of its original 1970s design.
2013
Convert the former department-store area for AldiGeneration changeBackground
A large anchor space created by the departure of the former department-store format required adaptation for contemporary supermarket retail.
Action taken
Aldi acquired and renovated the tenancy, adding windows, a loading dock and modern internal fittings.
Aftermath
Aldi became one of the centre's principal grocery anchors.
1984
Reconfigure the centre after the original department-store formatStrategyBackground
The original Venture tenancy no longer represented the centre's later leasing needs.
Action taken
The former department-store area was divided for replacement tenants, while the fascia was redesigned and seven shops were added.
Aftermath
The changes increased the centre's specialty-retail capacity and updated its external presentation.
1973
Develop a regional shopping complex alongside suburban housingStrategyBackground
Hanover Holdings had acquired extensive orchard land as suburban growth approached Vermont South and sought to combine residential development with a major local retail facility.
Action taken
The developer announced a shopping complex on Burwood Highway with approximately 260 associated houses and commissioned a purpose-built anchor-and-mall design.
Aftermath
The centre opened in 1974 and became part of the area's broader suburban activity-centre structure.
Recent events
- 2022
Upgraded Coles supermarket opens[1]
Product launch · Product generation
Following an investment reported at $10 million, the 4,216-square-metre Coles store reopened with improved deli, bakery, fresh-food and click-and-collect facilities.
- 2022
Neighbouring restaurant redevelopment proposal put on hold[1]
Other
A proposal to replace a nearby restaurant building with a new restaurant and offices was paused amid rising interest rates; the site later operated as Ing Bulgogi.
- 2021
Major centre refurbishment begins[1]
Other
A substantial refurbishment commenced, covering repainting, carpet removal and replacement of deteriorated fascia and canopies.
- 2013
Aldi refurbishes former department-store tenancy[1]
Product launch · Other
Aldi acquired and renovated a large section of the former department-store tenancy, adding windows, a loading dock and modernised fittings.
- 1984
Architectural and tenant improvements commissioned[1]
Other
Meldrum, Burrows & Partners were commissioned to improve the centre's appearance and functionality, including a new fascia, subdivision of the former Venture space and seven additional shops.
- 1974
Vermont South Shopping Centre officially opens[1]
Other
The centre opened on 22 October 1974 with Venture and Coles New World as its principal anchor tenants.
Sources1 sources
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