Westfield Hornsby
A major indoor and outdoor shopping centre serving Hornsby and Sydney's Upper North Shore.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Westfield Hornsby is a large indoor and outdoor shopping centre in Hornsby on Sydney's Upper North Shore. The centre traces its history to Westfield Plaza, which opened in July 1961 with 25 stores, including McDowells, later associated with the Waltons and Venture retail businesses, and Coles New World. It underwent a substantial enlargement in 1968, followed by further upgrades in 1976 and 1979. The centre's modern form emerged from the consolidation of two competing retail developments. Northgate Shopping Centre opened nearby in November 1979 with Grace Bros, Kmart and 67 specialty stores. Grace Bros later became Myer. In 1999, Westfield acquired Northgate and began a four-stage redevelopment that combined the two sites. The original Westfield centre was closed and demolished in January 2000, while the Northgate property was incorporated into a rebuilt and expanded complex. The project approximately doubled retail space and added restaurants and cinema facilities. The redevelopment opened progressively between October 2000 and November 2001. The first stage reopened the former Northgate side with Coles and 50 stores. The second stage introduced Woolworths and 40 specialty stores on the rebuilt Westfield side. The third stage added David Jones, Target, Gowings, a food court and approximately 100 stores. The official grand opening took place on 26 September 2001. The final stage added a nine-screen Greater Union cinema and a restaurant precinct; the cinema later became an Event Cinemas venue. Westfield Hornsby has approximately 99,550 square metres of floor space and is anchored by a broad mix of department stores, discount retailers, supermarkets, electronics, fashion, homewares, sporting goods, entertainment and fitness operators. Retailers identified with the centre include David Jones, Kmart, Target, TK Maxx, Aldi, Coles, Woolworths, Uniqlo, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel, Event Cinemas and KOKO Amusement. Tenant composition has changed over time: the former Gowings space was reconfigured after that store closed in 2005, while later occupiers included Dan Murphy's, Thomas Dux, Toys R Us and Uniqlo. An Apple store opened at the centre in 2011 and subsequently closed in October 2025, with the brand relocating its nearby presence to Chatswood Chase. The centre is closely integrated with Hornsby's transport network. It is within walking distance of Hornsby railway station, receives bus services connecting the Sydney central business district, the North Shore, Northern Suburbs and Hills District, and provides multilevel parking with approximately 3,200 spaces. A public pedestrian area near Florence and Hunter streets includes the Hornsby Water Clock, unveiled in 1993. Ownership and management responsibility shifted to Scentre Group in July 2014 as part of the restructuring of the former Westfield Group. Westfield Hornsby remains an active regional shopping and entertainment destination, combining daily-needs retail with department stores, dining, cinemas, leisure and transport-accessible community services.
History
Westfield Hornsby began as Westfield Plaza in July 1961. Its original tenant mix included McDowells, which was subsequently associated with the Waltons and Venture names, Coles New World and 25 other stores. A major 1968 expansion quadrupled the centre's size, and additional upgrades followed in 1976 and 1979. The local retail market changed when Northgate Shopping Centre opened on 14 November 1979. Located near the original Westfield, Northgate featured Grace Bros, Kmart and 67 specialty stores. Grace Bros was later rebranded as Myer. In the early 1990s, the intersection of Florence Street and Hunter Street was developed as a pedestrian mall. Its Hornsby Water Clock, designed by Victor Cusack, was unveiled in 1993. Westfield acquired Northgate in 1999 and launched a four-stage redevelopment. The project closed the original Westfield centre in January 2000, demolished it and rebuilt the site while also extending and refurbishing the former Northgate property. The approximately two-year redevelopment reportedly cost $360 million and doubled the amount of retail space, while adding restaurants and cinemas. It was notable as a complete demolition and reconstruction of an existing Westfield centre. The first stage opened in October 2000 on the former Northgate side, bringing back Coles and 50 stores under the Westfield identity. The second stage opened in May 2001 on the rebuilt original-Westfield side, with Woolworths and 40 specialty stores. The two sections remained physically separate for a period before being connected at an underground level in August. Stage three opened in September 2001 with David Jones, Target, Gowings, a food court and approximately 100 stores. The centre held its official grand opening on 26 September 2001. Stage four followed in November 2001 with a nine-screen Greater Union cinema and restaurant precinct; the cinema later operated as Event Cinemas. Tenant changes after the redevelopment reflected broader shifts in Australian retail. Gowings closed its three-level store in 2005, after which the space was divided among JB Hi-Fi, a grocery and specialty-food sequence involving Macro Wholefoods and Thomas Dux, and Dan Murphy's. Thomas Dux closed in 2016, and the space later housed Toys R Us before Uniqlo opened there in 2019. Apple opened its thirteenth Australian store at the centre on 24 September 2011. In July 2014, Westfield Hornsby became part of the Scentre Group-controlled Westfield portfolio following the restructuring of Westfield Group. Myer ended its Hornsby tenancy on 12 January 2020 after approximately four decades of trading. Harvey Norman subsequently opened on the upper level in October 2020, with TK Maxx and Baby Bunting also occupying part of the former department-store area. The centre's tenant mix has continued to evolve, including changes to fitness and leisure uses. The centre has also experienced several safety and emergency incidents. An EF1 tornado damaged the complex in November 2013, including a roof collapse over the cinema. A reported bomb threat caused an evacuation and lockdown in February 2015. In March and June 2016, separate violent incidents resulted in a fatal stabbing and a police shooting that injured bystanders. These events were incidents affecting the centre rather than documented brand scandals. Westfield Hornsby currently functions as a substantial regional retail and entertainment complex. It has around 99,550 square metres of floor space, approximately 3,200 parking spaces and access to Hornsby railway station and local and regional bus routes. Its role combines supermarket and essential shopping with department stores, specialty retail, dining, cinema, amusement and fitness services.
- 2025
Apple store closes
[1]The Apple store closes on 4 October, with a refurbished nearby store at Chatswood Chase becoming the replacement location.
- 2020
Harvey Norman replaces Myer in the former department-store area
[1]Myer closes in January, and Harvey Norman opens in October in the redeveloped tenancy area.
- 2014
Portfolio control moves to Scentre Group
[1]The centre comes under Scentre Group control following the restructuring of Westfield Group.
- 2011
Apple store opens
[1]Apple opens its thirteenth Australian store at the centre on 24 September.
- 2001
Redeveloped Westfield Hornsby opens
[1]Four redevelopment stages open between October 2000 and November 2001, with the official grand opening on 26 September 2001.
- 2000
Reconstruction begins
[1]The original centre closes and is demolished as part of the combined redevelopment.
- 1999
Northgate acquired
[1]Westfield purchases Northgate and begins planning a combined redevelopment.
- 1993
Hornsby Water Clock unveiled
[1]The public water-clock fountain in the Florence Street and Hunter Street pedestrian mall is unveiled.
- 1979
Northgate Shopping Centre opens
[1]A competing centre opens nearby with Grace Bros, Kmart and 67 specialty stores.
- 1968
First major expansion
[1]A major redevelopment quadruples the size of the original centre.
Products and positioning
A large, transport-connected regional shopping and entertainment centre serving Hornsby and the wider Upper North Shore, with a mix of essential retail, department stores, specialty shopping, dining and leisure.
Grocery · 1961
Supermarket and grocery retail
The centre provides everyday grocery shopping through major supermarket tenants including Coles, Woolworths and Aldi. These stores support the centre's role as a regional destination as well as a convenient local shopping facility.
General merchandise · 1979
Department and discount retail
Department and discount retail has been central to the centre's tenant mix since its early years. Current and recent operators include David Jones, Kmart, Target, TK Maxx and Harvey Norman, covering apparel, household goods, furniture, technology and general merchandise.
Specialty shopping · 1961
Specialty retail
Westfield Hornsby houses specialty stores across fashion, electronics, beauty, homewares, sporting goods, toys, children's products and liquor. The tenant base has changed over time as former retailers such as Gowings, Thomas Dux and Toys R Us were replaced by newer concepts including Uniqlo.
Leisure and hospitality · 2001
Dining and entertainment
The 2000–2001 redevelopment added restaurants, a food court and a nine-screen cinema. Event Cinemas and KOKO Amusement are among the entertainment-related operators associated with the centre, complementing food and beverage tenants.
Services
Fitness and services
The centre also accommodates service and leisure uses, including fitness operators. These uses broaden the property beyond conventional retail and contribute to its function as a mixed shopping, recreation and community destination.
Brand decisions
2014
Transfer to the Scentre Group portfolioStrategyBackground
Westfield Group undertook a corporate restructuring that separated its property interests from other operations.
Action taken
Westfield Hornsby came under the control of Scentre Group.
Aftermath
The centre continued operating under the Westfield retail brand within Scentre Group's Australian and New Zealand property portfolio.
2000
Close and completely rebuild the original centreStrategyBackground
The redevelopment required integration of the existing Westfield property with the acquired Northgate site.
Action taken
Westfield temporarily closed the centre in January 2000, demolished the original building and rebuilt it alongside the refurbished Northgate section.
Aftermath
The project approximately doubled retail space and introduced expanded dining, food-court and cinema facilities.
1999
Acquire and consolidate NorthgateStrategyBackground
Westfield owned the original centre while Northgate operated as a nearby competing shopping centre with major anchor tenants.
Action taken
Westfield acquired Northgate and pursued a combined redevelopment rather than maintaining two separate centres.
Aftermath
The original Westfield centre was demolished and rebuilt, the former Northgate site was incorporated, and the enlarged complex opened in stages between 2000 and 2001.
Reported redevelopment cost. $360 million (1999–2001 redevelopment)
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