Warrawong Plaza
A major regional shopping centre in Warrawong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Warrawong Plaza is a regional shopping centre in Warrawong, a suburb of Wollongong in New South Wales, Australia. The centre began in 1960 as Lake Market Shopping Centre and developed over subsequent decades into one of the Illawarra region’s principal retail destinations. Its history reflects the expansion and repositioning of Australian suburban shopping centres, including changes in department-store tenancy, supermarket competition, entertainment, transport access and ownership. Westfield Group acquired the centre in 1985. After an extensive redevelopment, it reopened in 1988 as Westfield Warrawong. A further extension in 1996 added a 6,000-square-metre Big W department store. Big W had previously occupied the site from 1965, but the earlier two-level store was sold to David Jones in 1971 following a change in Woolworths’ retail strategy. David Jones subsequently operated the premises until closing the store in January 1986, shortly before the Westfield-era redevelopment was completed. By 2011, the centre had expanded to approximately 57,582 square metres of retail floor area and contained about 140 retailers. Its tenant mix has included major supermarkets, discount department stores, specialty retailers, entertainment and food-related services. Listed major retailers have included Coles, Aldi, Woolworths, Big W, Hoyts, TK Maxx, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel and Lincraft. The centre’s catchment was reported at 246,680 people in 2005, with estimated retail spending of approximately A$2.3 billion in that catchment during the same period. The property changed ownership in 2015. Scentre Group announced in August that year that it had sold Westfield Warrawong, together with three other centres, to 151 Property, a Blackstone subsidiary, as part of a disposal of assets considered non-strategic. The group of four centres was reported as having a combined sale value of A$783 million. JLL was appointed to manage the centre. On 11 September 2015, the new management announced the Warrawong Plaza name and branding, ending the Westfield branding used since 1988. Warrawong Plaza has also been associated with local discussions about security, youth behaviour and public transport. In 1999, its management attracted international attention for using older popular music over the public-address system in an effort to discourage shoplifting and anti-social behaviour by young people gathering at the centre. In March 2005, Premier Illawarra considered suspending a Thursday evening bus service because of persistent vandalism and anti-social behaviour in streets around the centre, although inspectors and transit police had attempted to address the problem. The centre remains a significant shopping and service destination for the southern Wollongong and Illawarra area. Target permanently closed its store at the centre on 14 January 2023, reflecting a later change in the tenant mix. Warrawong Plaza is served by local public buses operated by Premier Illawarra and continues to operate as an active shopping centre.
History
Warrawong Plaza originated in 1960 as Lake Market Shopping Centre in Warrawong, within the Wollongong urban area of New South Wales. The property expanded as suburban retailing developed in the Illawarra. A Big W department store became an occupant in 1965. In 1971, Woolworths sold the then-two-level Big W premises to David Jones after changing its retail strategy, and the site was converted for David Jones. That department store closed in January 1986. Westfield Group acquired the centre in 1985 and undertook a substantial redevelopment. The enlarged complex reopened in 1988 under the Westfield Warrawong name. A further extension was completed in 1996, adding a 6,000-square-metre Big W store. The centre continued to grow through the following years and by 2011 was reported to have approximately 57,582 square metres of retail floor area and around 140 retailers. Its commercial role extended beyond everyday shopping, with supermarkets, department stores, specialty shops and a cinema forming the principal components of the centre’s offer. The centre’s reported catchment in 2005 was 246,680 people, with estimated retail spending of A$2.3 billion. These figures illustrate its role as a regional rather than merely neighbourhood shopping facility, serving communities across the southern Wollongong and broader Illawarra area. Warrawong’s management also faced public-order issues. In 1999, the centre drew international coverage for playing older-style music through its public-address system to discourage young people from using the complex as a gathering place and to address shoplifting and anti-social conduct. In March 2005, local bus operator Premier Illawarra considered withdrawing a Thursday evening service because of continuing vandalism and anti-social behaviour on surrounding streets. Bus inspectors and transit police had attempted to respond, but the problem remained a subject of local concern. In August 2015, Scentre Group announced that it had sold Westfield Warrawong and three other centres to 151 Property, a subsidiary of The Blackstone Group. The reported combined consideration for the four properties was A$783 million, and the disposals were described as part of a strategy to sell assets regarded as non-strategic. JLL was appointed to manage the centre. On 11 September 2015, the new management announced the Warrawong Plaza name and branding, replacing the Westfield identity that had been used since the 1988 redevelopment. The centre’s tenant composition has included Coles, Aldi, Woolworths, Big W, Hoyts, TK Maxx, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel and Lincraft. Target, another department-store tenant, permanently closed on 14 January 2023 because of poor sales. Warrawong Plaza is served by local public buses operated by Premier Illawarra and remains an operating regional shopping centre.
- 2023
Target store closes
[1]Target permanently closes its Warrawong Plaza store on 14 January.
- 2015
Ownership and branding change
[1]151 Property acquires the centre from Scentre Group, and the property is renamed Warrawong Plaza.
- 2011
Centre reaches approximately 140 retailers
[1]The centre is reported to have grown to approximately 57,582 square metres and 140 retailers.
- 1996
Big W extension completed
[1]An extension adds approximately 6,000 square metres for a Big W store.
- 1988
Centre reopens as Westfield Warrawong
[1]The redeveloped centre is relaunched under the Westfield Warrawong name.
- 1985
Westfield Group acquires the centre
[1]Westfield Group takes ownership and begins an extensive redevelopment.
- 1971
Department-store premises transferred to David Jones
[1]The two-level Big W premises are sold to David Jones and converted into a David Jones store.
- 1965
Big W becomes an occupant
[1]A Big W department store begins operating at the centre.
- 1960
Lake Market Shopping Centre opens
[1]The retail complex opens in Warrawong under the Lake Market Shopping Centre name.
Products and positioning
A large regional shopping centre serving Warrawong, southern Wollongong and the wider Illawarra catchment, combining supermarket and discount-department-store anchors with specialty retail, entertainment and services.
Groceries
Supermarket retail
Warrawong Plaza’s supermarket offer has included Coles, Aldi and Woolworths. These stores provide everyday groceries, fresh food, household products and other high-frequency shopping categories, supporting the centre’s role as a regional convenience and replenishment destination.
Discount department store · 1965
Big W
Big W has been a significant department-store component of the centre. An earlier Big W store operated from 1965, while a later extension completed in 1996 added approximately 6,000 square metres for the retailer.
Cinema and entertainment
Hoyts
Hoyts is listed among the centre’s major retailers and provides cinema-based entertainment as part of Warrawong Plaza’s non-retail offer.
Consumer and lifestyle retail
Specialty retail
The centre’s specialty mix has included JB Hi-Fi for consumer electronics, Rebel for sporting goods, TK Maxx for apparel and general merchandise, and Lincraft for craft and textile supplies. Together these stores broaden the centre beyond supermarket and department-store shopping.
Brand decisions
2023
Target store closureOtherBackground
Target’s store at the centre experienced poor sales.
Action taken
Target permanently closed the store on 14 January 2023.
Aftermath
The closure removed one department-store tenant from the centre’s retail mix.
2015
Sale to 151 PropertyM&ABackground
Scentre Group classified the centre among assets it considered non-strategic and announced a portfolio sale involving four shopping centres.
Action taken
151 Property, a Blackstone subsidiary, acquired the centre, while JLL became its manager.
Aftermath
The property was rebranded Warrawong Plaza in September 2015.
Combined sale value for four centres. A$783 million (2015)
2015
Rebranding as Warrawong PlazaStrategyBackground
Following the change in ownership and management, the centre moved away from the Westfield identity.
Action taken
Management introduced the Warrawong Plaza name and branding on 11 September 2015.
Aftermath
The centre continued operating as a regional shopping complex under its current name.
1985
Westfield undertakes major redevelopmentStrategyBackground
After acquiring the centre, Westfield Group pursued a substantial redevelopment to enlarge and reposition the property.
Action taken
The centre was redeveloped and relaunched as Westfield Warrawong in 1988.
Aftermath
The project established the Westfield-branded centre and was followed by a further Big W extension in 1996.
Sources1 sources
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