Westfield Kotara

Westfield Kotara is a large regional shopping centre in Kotara, a suburb of Newcastle in the Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. The centre occupies a strategically important retail position between Newcastle and surrounding Hunter communities and is one of only two Westfield-branded centres in New South Wales outside the Greater Sydney area, the other being Westfield Tuggerah on the Central Coast. Its retail offer combines department stores, supermarkets, discount department stores, electronics, fashion, entertainment, restaurants and family leisure facilities. The centre opened on 6 October 1965 as Kotara Fair on a seven-hectare former grazing site. Developed by Woolworths Properties, the original single-level complex was designed as a drive-in shopping destination, with a Woolworths supermarket, a Big W department store, 25 specialty retailers and approximately 600 parking spaces. Its accessibility and scale helped it attract customers from across the Hunter region rather than serving only the immediate suburb. Ownership and format changed repeatedly during the centre's first decades. David Jones Properties acquired Kotara Fair in 1971 and subsequently pursued a major expansion. The redevelopment completed in 1974 led to the adoption of the Garden City name and introduced a David Jones department store, Norman Ross, Woolworths and 51 specialty stores. Additional retail and office space was added in 1977. AMP acquired the centre in 1980 and initiated a larger redevelopment in the mid-1980s. Completed in 1988, that project made Garden City the largest shopping centre in the Hunter region at the time and expanded the offer to about 120 retailers, including Super Kmart and Venture, together with a modern food hall, skylights and indoor landscaping. The centre was affected by the Newcastle earthquake on 28 December 1989, particularly parts of the upper car park and the Super Kmart area. Repairs were undertaken after the event. During the 1990s, the Super Kmart operation was divided into Kmart and Coles, Coles later moved to the ground level, and Toys 'R' Us occupied its former space. A 1998 refurbishment relocated Woolworths, added specialty stores and increased parking capacity. After the Westfield Group acquired the property, the centre was renamed Westfield Kotara on 11 August 2003. A major redevelopment completed in 2007 added Target, JB Hi-Fi, a new food court and a substantial number of specialty stores. Further investment shifted the centre toward entertainment and dining. A rooftop redevelopment completed in 2015 created The Rooftop, an open-air restaurant and entertainment precinct, and added an eight-screen Event Cinemas complex. The largest recent transformation began in October 2017 and was completed in October 2018. The project refreshed Kmart and JB Hi-Fi, introduced new fashion and youth-oriented retail areas, added H&M and Zara, improved circulation with travelators, and extended The Rooftop. The entertainment expansion later included Timezone, with arcade games, laser tag, bumper cars and bowling. More than 500 parking spaces were added, including spaces beneath a solar-powered shade canopy. The tenant mix has continued to change. H&M announced an Australian store reduction in 2021 and subsequently closed its Kotara location in late 2024. Zara closed its approximately 2,500-square-metre store in October 2022, after which the space was divided into smaller retail premises. Westfield Kotara remains an active regional centre with approximately 82,433 square metres of floor space, major retailers including David Jones, Kmart, Target, Coles, Woolworths and JB Hi-Fi, and entertainment anchors including Event Cinemas and Timezone.

Westfield Kotara began as Kotara Fair, which opened on 6 October 1965 on a seven-hectare former grazing property. Woolworths Properties developed the single-level centre at a reported cost of £2 million. Its original configuration included Woolworths, Big W, 25 specialty stores and a 600-space car park. As one of Newcastle's first major drive-in shopping centres, it quickly attracted shoppers from throughout the Hunter region. David Jones Properties acquired the centre in 1971 and planned a substantial extension. Work undertaken between 1973 and 1974 cost approximately $8 million and produced a larger centre renamed Garden City. The redevelopment replaced Big W with David Jones and added Norman Ross, Woolworths and 51 specialty stores. In 1977, Norman Ross vacated level one, allowing the creation of the Top Mall with 13 additional retailers, offices and professional suites. AMP bought Garden City in 1980 and launched another large redevelopment in 1984. The project took around three and a half years and was officially opened on 15 March 1988. It added Super Kmart and Venture, expanded the centre to about 120 retailers and introduced skylights, indoor greenery, a food hall and a more family-oriented design. The Newcastle earthquake of 28 December 1989 caused significant damage to sections of the upper car park and the Super Kmart area. Repairs followed, and the centre continued operating. The 1990s brought further tenant and layout changes. Super Kmart was separated into Kmart and Coles in 1990. Coles moved to the ground level in 1995, while Toys 'R' Us took over the former space. A 1998 refurbishment relocated Woolworths, created 14 more specialty stores and added 148 parking spaces. Following acquisition by the Westfield Group, the centre adopted the Westfield Kotara name on 11 August 2003. Westfield then planned a significant expansion, with construction beginning in May 2006. The first portion opened in August 2007 and included a new food court, Target, JB Hi-Fi and approximately 120 specialty stores; the Fashion Mall followed in September. In 2010, plans were submitted for an eight-screen cinema and a possible ten-pin bowling facility. A later redevelopment, valued at approximately $55 million, began in April 2015 on portions of the rooftop car park. The Rooftop opened in November 2015 with restaurants, food outlets and live-music space, while the Event Cinemas complex opened in December. The design drew on Hunter Valley imagery and a relaxed local lifestyle. A further redevelopment began on 12 October 2017 and concluded in October 2018. It introduced a youth and urban precinct oriented toward surf, skate and lifestyle retail, refreshed Kmart and JB Hi-Fi, added H&M and Zara, installed travelators and improved the upper-level environment with skylights and updated finishes. The Rooftop was expanded with restaurants, a gym and a Timezone entertainment venue, which opened in April 2019. More than 500 car spaces were added, including outdoor and covered spaces beneath a solar-powered shade canopy. The originally considered standalone bowling alley was not delivered, although Timezone incorporated bowling among its attractions. The centre's retail composition continued to evolve in the 2020s. H&M announced store closures in Australia in 2021, and its Kotara store closed in late 2024. Zara closed its large Kotara store on 8 October 2022, with the former premises divided into smaller tenancies. The centre has approximately 82,433 square metres of floor space and remains a significant retail and entertainment destination for Newcastle and the Hunter region.

• 2019

  Timezone opens

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  The entertainment operator opens in the expanded Rooftop precinct with bowling, laser tag, bumper cars and arcade attractions.

• 2018

  Major redevelopment completed

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  The refreshed centre opens on 18 October after a redevelopment featuring youth-oriented retail, new fashion tenants, upgraded anchors and better upper-level access.

• 2015

  The Rooftop and Event Cinemas launch

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  A new rooftop dining precinct and an eight-screen cinema strengthen the centre's entertainment role.

• 2007

  Westfield expansion opens

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  A large extension adds Target, JB Hi-Fi, a food court and numerous specialty stores.

• 2003

  Centre renamed Westfield Kotara

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  The property adopts its current name on 11 August after Westfield Group ownership.

• 1989

  Newcastle earthquake damages the centre

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  The 28 December earthquake significantly affects parts of the car park and Super Kmart.

• 1988

  Major Garden City redevelopment opens

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  The expanded centre opens on 15 March with Super Kmart, Venture, about 120 retailers and redesigned public areas.

• 1980

  AMP acquires Garden City

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  AMP purchases the centre and later funds a major redevelopment.

• 1974

  Garden City identity introduced

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  An $8 million expansion is completed and Kotara Fair is renamed Garden City.

• 1971

  David Jones Properties acquires the centre

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  David Jones Properties purchases Kotara Fair and begins planning for a major expansion.

• 1965

  Kotara Fair opens

  [1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  The original centre opens on 6 October with Woolworths, Big W, 25 specialty stores and approximately 600 parking spaces.

A regional destination shopping and entertainment centre serving Kotara, Newcastle and the wider Hunter region.

• Shopping centre retail · 1965

  Retail and department-store offer

  Westfield Kotara brings together department stores, discount department stores, supermarkets, fashion retailers, electronics, homewares and specialty shops. Major named anchors and tenants include David Jones, Kmart, Target, Coles, Woolworths and JB Hi-Fi. The composition has changed over time as large stores have been divided, relocated or replaced.

• Dining and entertainment precinct · 2015

  The Rooftop

  The Rooftop is an open-air dining and entertainment area developed on the centre's upper levels. It includes restaurants and food outlets, live entertainment, a gym and family leisure facilities. Its design references the Hunter Valley and a relaxed Newcastle lifestyle, giving the centre a destination-oriented offer beyond conventional shopping.

• Cinema · 2015

  Event Cinemas

  The Event Cinemas complex at Westfield Kotara provides eight screens and opened in December 2015 as part of the centre's entertainment-focused rooftop redevelopment. Its launch expanded the centre's role as an evening and leisure destination for Newcastle and the wider Hunter area.

• Family entertainment · 2019

  Timezone

  Timezone is a family entertainment venue in the expanded Rooftop precinct. Its attractions include bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, arcade gaming and the Spin Zone. It opened in April 2019 after the redevelopment's original standalone bowling concept was replaced by a broader entertainment format.

• 2017

  Undertake a comprehensive centre redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Westfield pursued a major refresh of the retail environment, including improved upper-level access and a stronger youth, fashion and entertainment proposition.

  Action taken

  The redevelopment began in October 2017 and added refreshed anchor stores, a youth and urban precinct, new fashion retailers, expanded dining and entertainment, travelators and more than 500 parking spaces.

  Aftermath

  The project was completed in October 2018, with Timezone opening in the expanded entertainment area in 2019.

  Redevelopment cost. $160 million (Redevelopment commencing 12 October 2017)

  Source

• 2015

  Invest in rooftop dining and cinemaProduct launch

  Background

  The centre sought to strengthen its offer through dining and entertainment in a competitive Newcastle-area retail market.

  Action taken

  A redevelopment added The Rooftop and an eight-screen Event Cinemas complex.

  Aftermath

  The centre gained a dedicated restaurant, live-entertainment and cinema destination.

  Redevelopment cost. $55 million (Redevelopment commencing April 2015)

  Source

• 2003

  Adopt the Westfield Kotara brandStrategy

  Background

  After the Westfield Group acquired Garden City, the property required a new identity aligned with the Westfield portfolio.

  Action taken

  The centre was renamed Westfield Kotara on 11 August 2003.

  Aftermath

  The Westfield name became the centre's continuing public identity and preceded subsequent portfolio-led redevelopment.

  Source

• 2022

  Zara closes its Westfield Kotara store[1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Zara closed its approximately 2,500-square-metre store on 8 October, and the former space was divided into smaller retail premises.

• 2021

  H&M announces Kotara store closure[1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  H&M announced plans to close up to seven Australian stores, including its Westfield Kotara location; the store later closed in late 2024.

• 2019

  Timezone opens at Westfield Kotara[1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  The expanded Rooftop precinct gained a Timezone entertainment venue offering arcade games, laser tag, bumper cars and bowling.

• 2018

  Westfield Kotara completes major retail and entertainment redevelopment[1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  A redevelopment begun in 2017 was completed in October 2018, adding refreshed anchor stores, youth and urban retail areas, improved circulation, new fashion tenants and an expanded rooftop precinct.

• 2015

  The Rooftop and Event Cinemas open at Westfield Kotara[1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch

  A rooftop dining and entertainment precinct opened in November, followed by an eight-screen Event Cinemas complex in December.

• 2007

  Major Westfield Kotara redevelopment opens in stages[1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A major redevelopment added Target, JB Hi-Fi, a new food court and approximately 120 specialty retail spaces, with the first sections opening in August and the fashion area completed the following month.

• 2003

  Westfield Kotara is renamed following Westfield Group acquisition[1]Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org

  M&A · Other

  Garden City was renamed Westfield Kotara on 11 August 2003 after the property was acquired by the Westfield Group.

1. 1Westfield Kotaraen.wikipedia.org