Westfield Chatswood

Westfield Chatswood is a large enclosed shopping centre in Chatswood, a commercial suburb on Sydney's Lower North Shore in New South Wales, Australia. The centre is operated and owned by Scentre Group, which manages Westfield-branded shopping centres in Australia and New Zealand. It serves Chatswood, the wider North Shore and northern Sydney, combining department stores, supermarkets, fashion, electronics, sporting goods, entertainment, dining and leisure uses. The centre opened on 10 November 1987 as Westfield Shoppingtown Chatswood. It was developed beside the existing Grace Bros department store and joined an established local retail environment that also included Chatswood Chase, Wallace Way and Lemon Grove. At opening, the centre contained major retailers including Target, Coles New World and Franklins, together with approximately 120 specialty stores. Its development established the site as one of Chatswood's principal retail destinations and connected the Westfield business with a suburb already benefiting from strong rail and bus access. During the 1990s, the centre was substantially expanded and integrated with the Grace Bros site. Westfield Trust acquired a half interest in the relevant development land in 1996, and Willoughby City Council approved a major redevelopment proposal that year. Construction began in 1997. The first stage opened in 1999 with a new four-level Grace Bros department store, a Coles supermarket, a new specialty-retail component and The Street, a lifestyle and entertainment precinct. Final works were completed in 2000, adding restaurants and a Hoyts cinema complex. This project materially enlarged the centre and broadened its role from a conventional shopping mall to a mixed retail, dining and entertainment destination. The tenant mix continued to change in response to retail-market conditions. Franklins was replaced by Food For Less after Woolworths acquired the relevant stores in 2001, and Aldi later occupied that space. JB Hi-Fi opened in the mid-2000s, while Zara established a substantial two-level store in 2014. Following the 2014 restructuring of Westfield Group, Scentre Group assumed ownership and management interests in the Australian and New Zealand assets, including Westfield Chatswood. A further redevelopment began in February 2015 under the positioning concept “Chatswood's New Global Playground.” The project reconfigured the Victoria Avenue frontage, increased the centre's floor area and introduced new international fashion, food and lifestyle uses. Its first major unveiling in November 2015 included a two-level Topshop and Topman store, new specialty stores and Hawker Lane, a Southeast Asian street-food-inspired dining precinct. Charlotte Lane was redesigned as a pedestrian-oriented space with commissioned urban-art elements. A second phase opened in February 2016 with H&M, Uniqlo and a relocated Rebel sporting-goods store. Subsequent tenant changes included the arrival of PLAYTIME, its later conversion to Timezone, the closure of Topshop and Topman, and the introduction of Cotton On and Muji. The centre adapted its operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Essential retailers remained open while many non-essential stores, the cinema and Timezone temporarily closed or operated under restrictions. Food businesses generally provided takeaway or delivery, and the centre introduced hygiene stations, distancing signage and other public-health measures. Coles was refurbished and relaunched as Coles Local in November 2020, adding premium and convenience-oriented features. H&M later closed, with JD Sports taking over part of the space in 2021. Rebel subsequently relocated to a new rCX experience-format store, and TK Maxx opened on the former Rebel site in May 2025. The current centre has more than 81,000 square metres of floor space and includes Myer, Target, Aldi, Coles Local, Cotton On, TK Maxx, Uniqlo, Zara, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel, Timezone and Hoyts Cinema among its major tenants. Its lo…

Westfield Chatswood opened on 10 November 1987 as Westfield Shoppingtown Chatswood. It was the second major shopping centre developed in Chatswood, following Chatswood Chase, and was built beside the established Grace Bros department store. Its original tenant mix included Target, Coles New World, Franklins and approximately 120 specialty stores. The centre's first major expansion occurred in the 1990s. Westfield Trust acquired a half interest in the Grace Bros development site in February 1996 and received approval later that year for a redevelopment integrating part of the site with the existing centre. Construction commenced in February 1997. The first stage opened in November 1999 and added a new four-level Grace Bros department store, Coles, The Street lifestyle and entertainment precinct and 127 specialty stores. Final works were completed in 2000, including restaurants and a Hoyts cinema complex. The redevelopment transformed the centre into a larger retail, dining and entertainment destination. Tenant changes in the 2000s reflected broader Australian retail consolidation. After Woolworths acquired a group of Franklins stores in 2001, the Chatswood store was closed and replaced by the smaller Food For Less format. JB Hi-Fi opened in the centre in the mid-2000s, and Aldi later occupied the supermarket space vacated by Food For Less. Zara opened a two-level store in February 2014. In June 2014, the Westfield Group was separated into Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation. Scentre Group assumed the Australian and New Zealand assets and became the owner and manager associated with Westfield Chatswood. Preparatory store closures and relocations began in early 2015 for a new redevelopment marketed as Chatswood's New Global Playground. The project reconfigured the Victoria Avenue frontage into a larger statement entrance, added specialty retail and expanded the centre's floor area. Its first phase was unveiled in November 2015 with a two-level Topshop and Topman flagship, new stores and Hawker Lane, a dining precinct inspired by Southeast Asian street-food markets. Charlotte Lane was also converted into a pedestrian-oriented laneway with large-scale murals and other urban-art elements. The second redevelopment phase opened in February 2016. It introduced H&M, Uniqlo and a relocated Rebel store, strengthening the centre's international fashion and sporting-goods offer. PLAYTIME later opened as an amusement venue in 2017 and was refurbished and relaunched as Timezone in June 2019. Topshop and Topman closed in 2017 as their Australian operation was reduced; Cotton On and Muji subsequently occupied parts of the vacated space. The level-four food court was also reduced in 2018 as some dining space was converted to fashion retail. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the centre's operating model. Essential retailers remained open, while many non-essential tenants, Hoyts Cinema and Timezone temporarily closed during restrictions. Food operators continued through takeaway and delivery, and the centre introduced hand-sanitiser stations, distancing signs and other health measures. Coles was refurbished and relaunched as Coles Local in November 2020. H&M closed in 2021, followed by the opening of JD Sports in October that year. Rebel later moved into a new rCX-format store, while TK Maxx opened on the former Rebel site in May 2025. Westfield Chatswood now has more than 81,000 square metres of floor space and a broad tenant base spanning department stores, supermarkets, fashion, electronics, sporting goods, restaurants, cinema and family entertainment. Its proximity to Chatswood railway station, bus services and a multi-level car park supports both local and regional visitation. The centre remains an active Westfield-branded retail asset managed by Scentre Group.

1. 2025TK Maxx opens

   TK Maxx opened on the former Rebel site on level six.

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2. 2023Rebel rCX store opens

   Rebel moved to a new experience-oriented rCX store within the centre.

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3. 2021JD Sports opens

   JD Sports opened in space vacated by H&M.

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4. 2020Coles relaunches as Coles Local

   The supermarket reopened after refurbishment with refill, premium-food and convenience features.

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5. 2019PLAYTIME becomes Timezone

   The entertainment venue reopened under the Timezone name after refurbishment.

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6. 2017PLAYTIME opens

   An amusement and family-entertainment venue opened on level six.

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7. 2016Fashion precinct phase opens

   H&M, Uniqlo and a relocated Rebel store opened as part of the second redevelopment phase.

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8. 2015New Global Playground redevelopment begins

   A major redevelopment commenced, reworking the Victoria Avenue frontage and expanding fashion, dining and lifestyle uses.

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9. 2015Hawker Lane opens

   The first redevelopment phase introduced Hawker Lane and a new two-level Topshop and Topman store.

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10. 2014Westfield Group restructure

    Scentre Group assumed the Australian and New Zealand Westfield assets, including Westfield Chatswood.

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11. 2000Restaurants and Hoyts cinema added

    Final redevelopment works included new restaurants and a Hoyts cinema complex.

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12. 1999First stage of redevelopment opens

    The expanded centre opened a new Grace Bros department store, Coles, The Street precinct and 127 specialty stores.

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13. 1997Major redevelopment construction begins

    Work began on the redevelopment that would add new retail, dining, leisure and cinema facilities.

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14. 1996Grace Bros development interest acquired

    Westfield Trust purchased a half interest in the Grace Bros development site and pursued an integrated expansion.

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15. 1987Centre opens

    Westfield Shoppingtown Chatswood opened on 10 November with major department-store, supermarket and specialty-retail tenants.

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A large, transit-connected, mid- to upper-mid-market urban shopping and lifestyle centre serving Chatswood, Sydney's Lower North Shore and northern Sydney, with emphasis on international fashion, dining, entertainment and experiential retail.

• Westfield Chatswood shopping centreShopping centre1987

  The core offering is a large enclosed retail and lifestyle complex serving Chatswood and surrounding parts of Sydney. It combines department stores, supermarkets, fashion, electronics, sporting goods, dining, entertainment and customer facilities in a multi-level centre connected to public transport and structured parking.

• Hawker LaneDining precinct2015

  Hawker Lane is a dining-focused precinct introduced during the 2015 redevelopment. Its concept draws on Southeast Asian street-food markets and provides a cluster of street-food-style operators, linking the internal centre environment with the Charlotte Lane pedestrian area and related public-art treatments.

• Coles LocalSupermarket2020

  The refurbished supermarket reopened as Coles Local in 2020. The format added convenience and premium-oriented features, including an ecostore refill station, pet-treat facilities, specialist beverage stations and selected dessert and confectionery offerings.

• Hoyts CinemaCinema2000

  Hoyts Cinema formed part of the centre's entertainment expansion and opened in 2000. The cinema helped establish Westfield Chatswood as a broader leisure destination rather than solely a retail complex.

• TimezoneFamily entertainment2019

  The level-six amusement venue began as PLAYTIME in 2017 and was refurbished and relaunched as Timezone in 2019. It provides arcade and family-entertainment uses within the centre.

• 2015Chatswood's New Global Playground

  Australia · Sydney · Chatswood

  A redevelopment and positioning program intended to refresh Westfield Chatswood as an internationally oriented retail, dining and lifestyle destination. The work introduced a new Victoria Avenue entrance, international fashion stores, Hawker Lane and a redesigned pedestrian laneway.

  Outcome. The project added new retail and dining uses and was delivered in phases during 2015 and 2016.

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• 2020Adapt centre operations during COVID-19 restrictionsStrategy

  Public-health restrictions reduced activity by non-essential retailers and temporarily affected cinema, entertainment and dine-in food operations.

  What changed. Essential retail continued, food businesses shifted toward takeaway and delivery, click-and-collect was used by retailers, and hygiene and distancing measures were introduced.

  Aftermath. The centre continued serving essential needs while affected tenants gradually resumed normal operations as restrictions changed.

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• 2015Undertake the New Global Playground redevelopmentStrategy

  The centre sought to modernise its retail offer, strengthen its Victoria Avenue presence and respond to demand for international fashion, food and experience-led uses.

  What changed. Scentre Group reconfigured the mall frontage, added specialty stores and created Hawker Lane and Charlotte Lane as new dining and public-realm components.

  Aftermath. The redevelopment was unveiled in stages in 2015 and 2016, with new fashion tenants, dining operators and entertainment-oriented public spaces.

  Reported redevelopment cost. (2015-2016)

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• 2014Transfer Australian asset responsibility to Scentre GroupStrategy

  Westfield Group was divided into separate companies with different geographic and business responsibilities.

  What changed. Scentre Group assumed the Australian and New Zealand interests, including the ownership and management role associated with Westfield Chatswood.

  Aftermath. The centre continued trading under the Westfield brand while operating within Scentre Group's Australian portfolio.

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• 1996Integrate the Grace Bros development siteStrategy

  The original centre operated beside the Grace Bros site, creating an opportunity to expand the retail complex and consolidate the surrounding development.

  What changed. Westfield Trust acquired a half interest in the site and pursued a council-approved redevelopment incorporating a new department store, specialty retail, dining and entertainment.

  Aftermath. The expanded centre opened in stages from 1999 to 2000 and significantly broadened the site's retail and leisure offer.

  Reported redevelopment proposal and project cost. (1996-2000)

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• 2025TK Maxx opens at Westfield Chatswood

  TK Maxx opened on the former Rebel site, giving the Chatswood suburb two TK Maxx stores.

  Product launch
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• 2023Rebel opens an rCX experience-format store

  Rebel relocated and opened an rCX-format store designed around a more experiential sporting-goods retail environment.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2021JD Sports opens at Westfield Chatswood

  JD Sports opened in space formerly occupied by H&M after H&M exited the centre.

  Product launch
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• 2020COVID-19 operating restrictions affect non-essential retail

  During pandemic restrictions, essential retailers continued operating while many non-essential stores, Hoyts Cinema and Timezone closed temporarily; food businesses shifted toward takeaway and delivery.

  RegulationOther
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• 2020Coles relaunches as Coles Local

  The supermarket was refurbished and relaunched with premium grocery, refill and convenience-oriented features.

  Product launch
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• 2019PLAYTIME reopens as Timezone

  The centre's PLAYTIME entertainment venue was refurbished and reopened under the Timezone brand.

  Product generation
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• 2016Fashion precinct expansion opens

  The second phase opened with H&M, Uniqlo and a relocated Rebel store in an expanded fashion-focused area.

  Product launch
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• 2015Chatswood's New Global Playground redevelopment unveiled

  The centre unveiled the first stage of a major redevelopment featuring new specialty stores, a two-level Topshop and Topman store and the Hawker Lane dining precinct.

  OtherProduct launch
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• 1997Major redevelopment begins

  Construction began on a major expansion integrating the Grace Bros site and adding new retail, dining and entertainment components.

  Other
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• 1987Westfield Chatswood opens

  The new Westfield Shoppingtown Chatswood opened on 10 November with major department-store, supermarket and specialty-retail tenants.

  Other
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1. Westfield Chatswood
2. Westfield Chatswood official website