Westfield Eastgardens

Westfield Eastgardens is a large suburban shopping centre in Eastgardens, New South Wales, serving Sydney's eastern suburbs. It occupies a site with an industrial and public-transport history: the development was built on the former Pagewood bus depot site, after the depot closed in 1982, alongside nearby former Holden and W. D. & H. O. Wills factory land. The New South Wales Government supported redevelopment of the area as part of an effort to retain employment and stimulate a major new commercial precinct. The site was rezoned and additional Crown land was incorporated into the project, although the planning process generated controversy when competing commercial landlords challenged the development in the Land and Environment Court. Legislation subsequently prevented an appeal, prompting public debate about the balance between government planning powers and normal legal review. The centre opened on 19 October 1987 and was briefly the largest shopping centre in Australia. Its original tenant mix included David Jones, Super Kmart, Target, Franklins, a six-screen Hoyts cinema and approximately 150 other retailers. Super Kmart combined a Kmart discount department store with a Coles supermarket, reflecting the large-format retail model common in Australian shopping centres at the time. The centre's arrival altered the retail geography of the surrounding suburbs and was associated with weaker trade at nearby Maroubra Junction, which had previously served as a principal shopping destination for the local area. A major redevelopment completed in 2002 added a third level, introduced Woolworths and Big W, upgraded the cinema and expanded the centre to approximately 290 retailers. The redevelopment provided space for three discount department stores—Kmart, Target and Big W—making Eastgardens the first shopping centre in New South Wales to accommodate that combination. The department-store offer later changed when David Jones closed its Eastgardens location on 23 September 2007 after two decades, citing the proximity of its Bondi Junction and central Sydney stores. Myer subsequently took over the space after refurbishment and opened on 8 March 2008, restoring a major department-store presence in south-eastern Sydney. The centre has continued to evolve through food, fashion and supermarket changes. A $45 million redevelopment program produced a refreshed fashion and ambience offer in June 2013 and a six-restaurant dining precinct that opened on 23 November 2013. Franklins was replaced by Romeo's Supa IGA in July 2013; after the IGA closed in March 2015, Aldi opened in the space on 19 August 2015. A separate 2014 development application proposed a new supermarket, mini-majors and an 11-store mall area on part of the level-three car park. Westfield Eastgardens has approximately 84,627 square metres of floor space. Its major retailers and leisure operators have included Aldi, Big W, Coles, Cotton On, Hoyts, JB Hi-Fi, Kmart, Myer, Rebel, Target and Woolworths. The centre is connected by bus services to Sydney's central business district, the eastern suburbs and nearby communities. Services operate from an interchange at the Bunnerong Road end of the complex, while the multi-level car park has more than 3,000 spaces. The centre experienced a serious structural incident on 24 July 2012, when a steel beam supporting part of the car-park roof failed. The resulting partial collapse damaged areas near the second-level food-court entrance and affected plant, air-conditioning, refrigeration, toilet, ventilation and electrical equipment. About 500 people were evacuated and the property was closed while inspections took place. Retail operations resumed the following day, although parts of the food-court area remained closed while repairs continued. In July 2018, Scentre Group acquired a 50 percent interest in the centre from Terrace Tower Group for A$720 million. Later proposals contemplated additional fashion, dining, entertainment, lifestyle, commercial, accommodation and education uses. In June 2020, Scentre Group submitted plans to the New South Wales Government for three high-rise towers incorporating a hotel and student accommodation. These proposals indicate an ambition to develop the centre as a broader mixed-use destination, although the available reference material does not establish that all proposed works were completed.

Westfield Eastgardens was developed on the former Pagewood bus depot site in Sydney's eastern suburbs. The Urban Transit Authority depot closed in 1982, followed by the closure of nearby Holden and W. D. & H. O. Wills factories. The New South Wales Government encouraged Westfield to redevelop the area in an effort to preserve employment and create a substantial commercial centre. The site was rezoned and Crown land was added to make the project viable. Three other commercial landlords challenged the development in July 1982 because of its expected impact on their trade. The government later enacted legislation preventing an appeal to the Land and Environment Court, producing wider controversy about the government's ability to override ordinary planning and judicial processes. The centre opened on 19 October 1987 with David Jones, Super Kmart, Target, Franklins, a six-screen Hoyts cinema and about 150 other retailers. It was briefly Australia's largest shopping centre. Its opening changed the competitive balance among nearby retail districts, and local commentary associated the centre with declining trade at Maroubra Junction. A substantial redevelopment completed in 2002 added a third level and introduced Woolworths and Big W. The project increased the total retail offer to roughly 290 stores, expanded parking capacity and upgraded Hoyts. Eastgardens became the first New South Wales shopping centre to have Kmart, Target and Big W operating together as discount department stores. The tenant mix changed significantly during the following decade. David Jones closed on 23 September 2007 after 20 years, partly because of the proximity of its Bondi Junction and central Sydney locations. Myer took over the refurbished premises and opened on 8 March 2008. In 2013, Franklins was converted to Romeo's Supa IGA. The same year saw the opening of a refreshed fashion and ambience offer and, on 23 November, a six-restaurant dining precinct. Romeo's Supa IGA closed in March 2015, and Aldi opened in the premises on 19 August 2015. The centre suffered a major structural incident on 24 July 2012. A steel beam supporting the car-park roof failed at approximately 7 a.m., causing a partial collapse near the second-level food-court entrance. Plant-room equipment, air-conditioning units, a cool room, toilets, exhaust fans and an electrical switchboard were damaged. Police established an exclusion zone, traffic was redirected and the whole complex was temporarily closed. Retail trading resumed the next day, although some food-court areas remained unavailable while repairs were undertaken. Westfield Eastgardens has approximately 84,627 square metres of floor space. Its transport infrastructure includes a bus interchange at the Bunnerong Road end of the property, with services to the Sydney CBD, the eastern suburbs and surrounding communities. Its multi-level car park provides more than 3,000 spaces. A 2014 development application proposed a new supermarket, mini-majors and an 11-store mall area using part of the level-three car park. In July 2018, Scentre Group acquired a 50 percent interest from Terrace Tower Group for A$720 million. Subsequent plans considered a broader mixed-use destination with additional fashion, international retail, dining, entertainment, lifestyle, commercial, accommodation and education uses. In June 2020, Scentre Group proposed three high-rise towers containing hotel and student-accommodation facilities. The available reference does not confirm the completion of those later proposals.

• 2020

  Mixed-use tower proposal submitted

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  A proposal was submitted for three towers incorporating hotel and student-accommodation uses.

• 2018

  Scentre Group acquires half-interest

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  Scentre Group acquired a 50 percent interest from Terrace Tower Group for A$720 million.

• 2015

  Aldi opens

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  Aldi opened on 19 August in the space previously occupied by Romeo's Supa IGA.

• 2013

  Dining precinct opens

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  Six new restaurants opened as the final stage of a $45 million redevelopment program.

• 2012

  Structural collapse

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  A failed car-park roof-support beam caused a partial collapse and temporary closure of the centre.

• 2008

  Myer opens

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  Myer opened in the refurbished former David Jones premises on 8 March.

• 2007

  David Jones exits

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  David Jones closed its store after 20 years of operation.

• 2002

  Major redevelopment completed

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  A third level was added, Woolworths and Big W opened, Hoyts was upgraded and the centre expanded to approximately 290 retailers.

• 1987

  Shopping centre opens

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  Westfield Eastgardens opened on 19 October with approximately 150 retailers and major department-store, supermarket, discount-store and cinema tenants.

• 1982

  Former bus depot closes and redevelopment planning begins

  [1]Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org

  The Pagewood bus depot closed, and the New South Wales Government began supporting redevelopment of the former industrial and transport site.

A large, full-service regional shopping centre serving Sydney's eastern suburbs, combining department stores, supermarkets, discount retailers, fashion, dining, entertainment and convenient transport access.

• Retail property · 1987

  Shopping centre retail services

  Westfield Eastgardens provides a multi-category retail environment with department stores, supermarkets, discount department stores, fashion retailers, electronics, home and lifestyle stores and specialty shops. The centre's role is that of a large regional shopping destination rather than a single-product brand.

• Food and entertainment · 2013

  Dining and entertainment precinct

  The centre includes restaurants and food-service operators, complemented by the Hoyts cinema. A six-restaurant dining precinct opened in 2013 as part of the centre's wider redevelopment and helped broaden the property beyond conventional retail.

• Customer facilities · 1987

  Transport and parking services

  Customer access is supported by a bus interchange at the Bunnerong Road end of the complex and a multi-level car park with more than 3,000 spaces. Bus services connect the centre with Sydney's CBD, the eastern suburbs and nearby local areas.

• 2020

  Propose mixed-use towersStrategy

  Background

  The owner considered adding accommodation and other non-retail uses to the shopping-centre precinct.

  Action taken

  Scentre Group submitted plans for three high-rise towers containing a hotel and student accommodation.

  Source

• 2018

  Scentre Group acquires a 50 percent interestM&A

  Background

  Scentre Group expanded its ownership position in the shopping centre.

  Action taken

  Scentre Group purchased a 50 percent interest from Terrace Tower Group.

  Aftermath

  The ownership structure included Scentre Group and Terrace Tower Group, with later plans considering broader mixed-use development.

  Acquisition price. A$720 million (July 2018)

  Source

• 2014

  Propose further retail expansionStrategy

  Background

  The operator sought to increase retail capacity and add new large-format tenants.

  Action taken

  A development application proposed a new supermarket, mini-majors and an 11-store mall area using space on level three.

  Proposed development cost. A$25 million proposal (2014)

  Source

• 2013

  Add a dining precinct and refresh the retail environmentStrategy

  Background

  The centre pursued a broader redevelopment intended to strengthen fashion, ambience and food offerings.

  Action taken

  A refreshed fashion and ambience offer was introduced, followed by a six-restaurant dining precinct in November.

  Aftermath

  The dining precinct completed the reported $45 million redevelopment program.

  Redevelopment cost. A$45 million program (2013)

  Source

• 2002

  Expand the centre with a third levelGeneration change

  Background

  The original centre required additional capacity and a broader retail offer.

  Action taken

  The operator added a third level, introduced Woolworths and Big W, expanded the tenant mix and upgraded Hoyts.

  Aftermath

  The centre reached approximately 290 retailers and became the first New South Wales shopping centre with Kmart, Target and Big W together.

  Source

1. 1Westfield Eastgardensen.wikipedia.org