Westfield Warringah Mall
A large indoor and outdoor regional shopping centre serving Sydney's Northern Beaches from Brookvale, New South Wales.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Westfield Warringah Mall is a major shopping centre in Brookvale, in Sydney's Northern Beaches region of New South Wales, Australia. Originally known simply as Warringah Mall, it was conceived as a regional retail development on land associated with Brookvale Farm and opened on 4 April 1963. The centre was developed by Hammerson Group at a reported cost of £6 million and was, at opening, among Australia's largest shopping centres. Its early tenant mix combined department stores, supermarkets, specialty retailers and leisure uses, establishing a large-format retail destination outside Sydney's central business district. The centre's development was preceded by significant planning debate. L.J. Hooker acquired the initial land in 1957, but an early planning application was rejected by Warringah Council in November 1959 amid concern that a large shopping complex could weaken Brookvale's existing town centre. A revised proposal was approved later that month. Hammerson subsequently purchased the site and expanded its landholding before construction. The original scheme envisaged a department store, chain-store space, smaller specialty shops and pedestrian areas connected by covered walkways. Warringah Mall expanded substantially during the 1970s. Grace Bros was upgraded from a homemaker-format store to a three-level department store, while an additional level and specialty retail space were added to the complex. The period also brought a major tragedy: a fire destroyed much of the original Woolworths building in November 1973 and resulted in the deaths of two store employees. The centre later broadened its leisure offer, opening a Hoyts twin cinema in 1979. During the 1980s it added a Target store, hosted commemorative community events and became a filming location for the Australian movie BMX Bandits, which featured Nicole Kidman in an early screen role. The Hoyts complex was subsequently expanded and reopened as a seven-screen multiplex in January 1990. Ownership and redevelopment shaped the centre's next phase. AMP Society acquired Warringah Mall in 1994 for a reported A$544 million. AMP then secured approval for a three-stage, A$139 million redevelopment that enlarged the centre, introduced new supermarket and discount-department-store anchors, added specialty retail space and created food, entertainment and community facilities. Work began in 1997; the northern wing opened in 1998, the southern wing followed in 1999, and the remaining works were completed in 2000. The enlarged complex included Big W, Woolworths, Coles, a food court, an expanded cinema and additional parking. Westfield became involved through transactions involving the AMP Shopping Centre Trust. In 2003, Westfield acquired a 25 percent interest while AMP Capital retained management control and the remaining interest. A 2012 transaction between AMP Capital, Westfield Group and Westfield Retail Trust resulted in a 50/50 ownership arrangement and transferred centre management to Westfield. The property was then rebranded Westfield Warringah Mall. Following the 2014 separation of Westfield Group into Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation, Scentre Group assumed the Australian and New Zealand operating and ownership interests associated with the centre. A further redevelopment, valued in reference materials at A$310 million, was undertaken from 2015 to 2016. It included store relocations, upgraded drainage and flood-management infrastructure, a new five-level car park with approximately 1,200 spaces, a fresh-food court, a redesigned central court and a refurbished two-level Myer. The second stage added or refurbished fashion and specialty retail space, including H&M, Sephora, Cotton On Mega and Anaconda, and introduced public artworks and water features. The centre consequently operates as a broad regional destination combining fashion, department stores, supermarkets, fresh food, dining, entertainment, services, community facilities and substantial parking.…
History
The site of Westfield Warringah Mall was historically associated with Brookvale Farm and land held by the Malcolm family. L.J. Hooker purchased land for the proposed development in 1957. The first planning application was rejected by Warringah Council on 9 November 1959, partly because some councillors feared that a regional shopping centre would undermine Brookvale's existing commercial centre. A revised proposal was approved on 20 November 1959, allowing Hooker-Rex Pty Ltd, on behalf of Kanadah Pty Ltd, to proceed with plans for a large pedestrian-oriented retail complex. Hammerson Group acquired the site from L.J. Hooker in 1961 and bought additional land to facilitate expansion. Warringah Mall opened on 4 April 1963. Developed by Hammerson at a reported cost of £6 million, it was then the second-largest shopping centre in Australia. Its original tenants included David Jones, Grace Bros Homemakers, Nock & Kirby, Franklins and Woolworths, alongside smaller specialty shops. The centre also incorporated open public areas and hosted entertainment, including musical performances and recreational attractions. The first substantial expansion took place in the early 1970s. Grace Bros was converted from a homemaker-format outlet into a three-level department store, and new specialty retail space was added. On 20 November 1973, a fire began in the original Woolworths store. The blaze caused extensive structural damage, required a large multi-station response and led to the deaths of two Woolworths employees. The building was subsequently destroyed. In December 1979, Hoyts opened a twin-screen cinema at the centre. During the 1980s, Target and further specialty stores were added. The shopping centre was used as a location for BMX Bandits, released in 1983. In 1988, a bronze sculpture and fountain known as Pacific Family, or the Dolphin Fountain, was unveiled for Australia's bicentenary celebrations. Hoyts closed for refurbishment in July 1989 and reopened in January 1990 as a seven-screen multiplex. Hammerson's Australian property portfolio, including Warringah Mall, was sold in 1994. AMP Society acquired the centre for a reported A$544 million and proposed a three-stage redevelopment valued at A$139 million. Approved in 1996, the project expanded floor area, introduced a new northern wing, relocated or added supermarkets and discount department stores, increased specialty retail, and created food, entertainment, community and parking facilities. The first stage opened in March 1998, the second in December 1999, and final works were completed in 2000. Ownership changed again in the 2000s. Westfield Group acquired a 25 percent interest in 2003, with AMP Capital retaining management and a majority interest. A 2012 transaction between AMP Capital, Westfield Group and Westfield Retail Trust produced a 50/50 ownership arrangement and moved management to Westfield. The centre adopted the Westfield Warringah Mall name. In 2014, the corporate separation of Westfield Group created Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation; Scentre Group assumed the relevant Australian and New Zealand assets and operating responsibilities. From 2015 to 2016, the centre underwent another major redevelopment. The works included new and upgraded parking, drainage and flood-protection infrastructure, a fresh-food court, changes to the Myer department store, a new mall connection, additional retail tenants and improvements to the central court. Stage one opened in June 2016, and stage two had its grand opening in November 2016. The completed centre combined traditional retail anchors with fashion, food, leisure, entertainment and community uses, reinforcing its role as a major commercial destination for the Northern Beaches.
- 2016
Redevelopment completed
[1]The two-stage redevelopment added parking, fresh-food facilities, retail space, infrastructure upgrades and a refurbished Myer.
- 2014
Scentre Group assumes Australian Westfield interests
[1]The Westfield corporate split placed the relevant Australian property interests with Scentre Group.
- 2012
Westfield management and joint ownership begin
[1]A transaction created a 50/50 arrangement between AMP Capital and Westfield interests and transferred centre management to Westfield.
- 2003
Westfield acquires an initial ownership interest
[1]Westfield Group acquired a 25 percent interest in the centre.
- 2000
Major redevelopment completed
[1]The final works of the A$139 million redevelopment were completed.
- 1999
Southern redevelopment wing opens
[1]The second stage added Coles, Arena Cove food court, specialty shops, entertainment facilities and additional parking.
- 1998
Northern redevelopment wing opens
[1]The first stage of AMP's major redevelopment opened with Big W, a new Woolworths and expanded retail space.
- 1994
AMP Society acquisition
[1]AMP Society acquired Warringah Mall as part of the sale of Hammerson's Australian portfolio.
- 1983
BMX Bandits filmed at the centre
[1]The shopping centre provided locations for chase and stunt sequences in the Australian film BMX Bandits.
- 1979
Hoyts cinema opens
[1]A twin-screen Hoyts cinema opened at the centre.
Products and positioning
A large regional shopping and lifestyle destination combining mainstream and premium fashion, department stores, supermarkets, fresh food, dining, entertainment and community services for Sydney's Northern Beaches.
Retail anchor · 1963
Department stores
Department-store anchors have been central to the centre's retail model since opening. David Jones and Grace Bros were among the original major tenants, and the later complex included Myer. The Myer store was reduced from three levels to two and refurbished as part of the 2015–2016 redevelopment.
Grocery retail · 1963
Supermarkets and fresh food
Grocery retail has included Woolworths, Franklins and Coles. The centre's later redevelopment also introduced a dedicated fresh-food court, broadening the offer beyond packaged groceries to prepared food and fresh-food shopping.
Fashion and lifestyle · 1963
Fashion and specialty retail
The centre provides a broad specialty-retail mix spanning apparel, beauty, accessories and lifestyle merchandise. The 2016 redevelopment added or accommodated major fashion and lifestyle tenants including H&M, Sephora and Cotton On Mega.
Leisure and hospitality · 1979
Food, dining and entertainment
Dining and leisure facilities have expanded over time from early restaurants and public entertainment to Arena Cove food court, restaurants, a Hoyts cinema complex and arcade and community facilities. These uses support the centre's role as a destination rather than only a retail stop.
Marketing campaigns
- 1988Australian Bicentenary commemoration
Australia
Warringah Shire Council commissioned sculptor Victor Cusack to create the Pacific Family, also called the Dolphin Fountain, for the centre. The work was unveiled in November 1988 alongside public performances.
Outcome. The sculpture became a long-standing public feature of the shopping centre.
Brand decisions
2015
Undertake a further large-scale redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The centre required modernised retail space, improved parking and stronger flood resilience because it had been built over Brookvale Creek.
Action taken
Stores were relocated, car parks were rebuilt, drainage was upgraded, a fresh-food court was added and the Myer and central mall areas were refurbished.
Aftermath
The project opened in stages in June and November 2016, adding new retail and public-realm features.
Redevelopment value. A$310 million (2015–2016 redevelopment)
1996
Approve a major three-stage redevelopmentStrategyBackground
AMP Society sought to modernise and enlarge the centre after acquiring it in 1994.
Action taken
Warringah Shire Council approved a redevelopment plan that added floor area, supermarkets, a discount department store, specialty shops, food, entertainment and parking.
Aftermath
The works were delivered in stages from 1997 through 2000 and substantially expanded the centre.
Planned redevelopment value. A$139 million (1996 plan)
1959
Proceed with a regional shopping-centre modelStrategyBackground
The proposed Brookvale development initially faced opposition from councillors concerned that it could turn the existing town centre into a 'ghost town'.
Action taken
A revised development proposal was submitted and approved by Warringah Council in November 1959.
Aftermath
The approval enabled construction of the regional shopping centre that opened in 1963.
Recent events
- 2016
First stage of major redevelopment opens[1]
Product launch · Other
The first stage of the centre's major redevelopment introduced a five-level car park with approximately 1,200 spaces and a new fresh-food court.
- 2016
Redeveloped Myer and new retail precinct open[1]
Product launch · Other
The second redevelopment stage opened with a refurbished two-level Myer, new fashion and specialty retailers, a redesigned central court and new public artworks.
- 2014
Westfield corporate restructuring transfers Australian interests to Scentre Group[1]
M&A
The separation of Westfield Group into Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation placed the Australian and New Zealand property interests and management platform with Scentre Group.
- 2012
Centre rebranded as Westfield Warringah Mall[1]
M&A · Leadership change
A transaction involving AMP Capital, Westfield Group and Westfield Retail Trust created a 50/50 ownership arrangement and transferred management to Westfield, leading to the Westfield Warringah Mall name.
- 2003
Westfield acquires an initial interest in Warringah Mall[1]
M&A
Westfield Group acquired a 25 percent interest in the centre through its transaction involving the AMP Shopping Centre Trust, while AMP Capital continued to manage the property.
- 1994
AMP acquires Warringah Mall[1]
M&A
AMP Society purchased the shopping centre as part of the sale of Hammerson's Australian property portfolio.
- 1983
Warringah Mall becomes a BMX Bandits filming location[1]
Other
The centre was used for chase and stunt scenes in the Australian film BMX Bandits, including an early film appearance by Nicole Kidman.
- 1973
Woolworths fire destroys part of Warringah Mall[1]
Other
A major fire severely damaged and ultimately destroyed the original Woolworths building. Two Woolworths employees died, while firefighters and a civilian were treated for injuries and later discharged.
Sources2 sources
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