Westfield West Lakes
A large shopping centre in West Lakes, Adelaide, South Australia, offering retail, dining and entertainment services.
Last updated August 25, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Westfield West Lakes is a major shopping centre in West Lakes, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. It serves as a regional retail and leisure destination, combining department stores, discount and specialty retailers, supermarkets, food and beverage outlets, and cinema entertainment. The centre contains approximately 260 stores and has historically included major anchor tenants such as David Jones, Harris Scarfe, Kmart, Coles, Target, Woolworths and JB Hi-Fi. The centre was conceived during the development of West Lakes and designed in 1973 by Dick-Smith Associates in association with Snowden Brougham and Moulds. Construction began later that year. The first stage was completed toward the end of 1974, followed by a second stage in 1975. Westfield West Lakes officially opened on 13 November 1974, with the opening conducted by Don Dunstan, then Premier of South Australia. Its establishment formed part of the broader development of West Lakes and gave the area a substantial commercial and community focus. Ownership of the property has changed over time. It was initially held by West Lakes Ltd, a subsidiary associated with the Development Finance Corporation and T & G Mutual Life Assurance Society. In 1987, Delfin sold its 25 percent interest to its partner, which was then owned by National Mutual. The property was subsequently sold to Deutschland Retail Property Trust Australia Ltd. Westfield Group acquired a 50 percent interest in 2002 and later acquired the remaining Westfield interest referred to in the centre's ownership history, while Dexus became the other major Australian property investment owner. Following the 2014 separation of Westfield Group into Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation, Scentre Group retained Westfield Group's interest in Westfield West Lakes. The centre has undergone several substantial redevelopment phases. Between 2004 and 2006, an expansion to the north added a large food court, a fashion-focused retail strip and a Reading Cinemas complex. A further upgrade was completed in August 2013. This project extended the centre toward the north-west, including the area beside David Jones and Harris Scarfe, added approximately 40 retailers, made Target an anchor tenant and introduced paid parking. These projects broadened the centre from a conventional shopping complex into a more diversified retail, dining and entertainment destination. Westfield West Lakes is therefore best understood as a shopping-centre brand rather than a standalone consumer-goods brand. Its identity is linked to the Westfield name, the West Lakes district and the Scentre Group's Australian shopping-centre portfolio. The available reference material documents its physical development, ownership transitions, anchor-tenancy structure and major expansions, but does not provide a separate corporate executive roster, financial performance data or a detailed record of advertising campaigns and controversies.
History
Westfield West Lakes was developed as part of the West Lakes project in Adelaide, South Australia. The centre was designed in 1973 by Dick-Smith Associates, working with Snowden Brougham and Moulds. Construction began in 1973, with the first stage completed late in 1974 and the second stage completed in 1975. The centre opened on 13 November 1974, when it was formally opened by Don Dunstan, Premier of South Australia. The original ownership structure involved West Lakes Ltd, a subsidiary connected with the Development Finance Corporation and T & G Mutual Life Assurance Society. In 1987, Delfin sold its 25 percent stake to its partner, which was then owned by National Mutual. The shopping centre was later sold to Deutschland Retail Property Trust Australia Ltd. Westfield Group acquired a 50 percent interest in 2002 and subsequently acquired the remaining interest associated with the Westfield side of the ownership history. Dexus became the other major property investment owner. In 2014, Westfield Group was separated into Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation; Scentre Group retained Westfield Group's interest in Westfield West Lakes. The centre's physical format expanded significantly during the 2000s. Work carried out between 2004 and 2006 extended the complex to the north and introduced a large food court, a fashion strip and a Reading Cinemas complex. These additions strengthened its role as a combined shopping and entertainment destination rather than a purely retail facility. A further major redevelopment was completed in August 2013. The project extended the centre toward the north-west, in the vicinity of David Jones and Harris Scarfe. It added approximately 40 retailers, brought Target into the anchor-tenant group and introduced a paid parking system. The centre's documented tenant mix includes department stores, discount retailers, supermarkets, electronics retail, food outlets and cinema entertainment. The reference material describes approximately 260 stores in total. The available sources do not identify a founding individual, a dedicated executive team for the centre, financial results, or a separate sequence of brand campaigns. Westfield West Lakes is primarily a branded property and customer destination operated within the Australian shopping-centre portfolio associated with Scentre Group, with ownership interests also associated with Dexus.
- 2014
Scentre Group retains Westfield interest
[1]Following the separation of Westfield Group, Scentre Group retained Westfield Group's interest in the centre.
- 2013
Major upgrade completed
[1]The August upgrade expanded the centre toward the north-west, added approximately 40 retailers, introduced paid parking and made Target an anchor tenant.
- 2006
North-side expansion completed
[1]The expansion added a food court, fashion strip and Reading Cinemas complex.
- 2002
Westfield Group acquires a 50 percent interest
[1]Westfield Group acquired half of the shopping-centre asset from Deutschland Retail Property Trust Australia Ltd.
- 1987
Delfin disposes of its interest
[1]Delfin sold its 25 percent share to its partner, which was then owned by National Mutual.
- 1975
Second construction stage completed
[1]The second stage of the original development works was completed.
- 1974
First stage completed and centre opens
[1]The first stage was completed late in the year, and Westfield West Lakes opened on 13 November with Don Dunstan, Premier of South Australia, conducting the opening.
- 1973
Design and construction begin
[1]The centre was designed by Dick-Smith Associates in association with Snowden Brougham and Moulds, and construction commenced during the year.
Products and positioning
A regional shopping and leisure centre serving West Lakes and the wider Adelaide market, with a broad tenant mix spanning department stores, supermarkets, specialty retail, dining and cinema entertainment.
Shopping centre retail · 1974
Retail stores
The centre's core offering is a broad collection of department stores, discount stores and specialty retailers. Documented anchor tenants include David Jones, Harris Scarfe, Kmart, Target and JB Hi-Fi, supported by additional fashion, consumer-goods and service retailers.
Grocery retail · 1974
Supermarkets
Coles and Woolworths are identified as anchor tenants, giving the centre a substantial everyday-grocery role in addition to discretionary retail. Their presence helps position the complex as a regular-use shopping destination for the surrounding community.
Food and beverage · 2006
Food court and dining
A large food court was added during the 2004–2006 expansion. Together with other food and beverage venues, it forms part of the centre's broader dining offer and supports longer visits associated with shopping and entertainment.
Entertainment · 2006
Reading Cinemas complex
The Reading Cinemas complex was introduced as part of the north-side expansion completed between 2004 and 2006. Its inclusion broadened Westfield West Lakes into an integrated retail and leisure destination.
Brand decisions
2014
Transfer Westfield Group interest to Scentre GroupM&ABackground
Westfield Group was divided into Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation.
Action taken
Scentre Group retained Westfield Group's interest in Westfield West Lakes.
Aftermath
The centre remained associated with the Westfield brand while its relevant operating and ownership interest moved into Scentre Group.
2013
Complete north-west redevelopmentStrategyBackground
A further upgrade was undertaken to extend the centre beside David Jones and Harris Scarfe and refresh its tenant mix.
Action taken
The completed project added approximately 40 retailers, introduced Target as an anchor tenant and implemented paid parking.
Aftermath
The redevelopment expanded the centre's offer and changed its parking model.
2004
Approve north-side expansionStrategyBackground
The centre expanded its physical footprint and customer proposition during a redevelopment carried out from 2004 to 2006.
Action taken
The project added a large food court, a fashion strip and a Reading Cinemas complex.
Aftermath
The expansion strengthened the centre's retail, dining and entertainment mix.
Recent events
- 2014
Westfield Group separation transfers retained interest to Scentre Group[1]
M&A
The division of Westfield Group into Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation left Scentre Group with Westfield Group's interest in Westfield West Lakes.
- 2013
Westfield West Lakes completes major centre upgrade[1]
Other · Product generation
An upgrade completed in August 2013 extended the centre toward the north-west, added about 40 retailers, introduced paid parking and established Target as an anchor tenant.
- 2006
Major north-side expansion adds food, fashion and cinema facilities[1]
Other
A multi-year expansion completed between 2004 and 2006 added a large food court, a fashion retail strip and a Reading Cinemas complex.
- 1974
Westfield West Lakes opens to the public[1]
Other
The newly constructed shopping centre opened on 13 November 1974 in West Lakes, South Australia. The opening was conducted by South Australian Premier Don Dunstan.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/westfield-west-lakes · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled