Westfield Whitford City
A major shopping centre in Hillarys, a northern suburb of Perth, Western Australia.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Westfield Whitford City is a large suburban shopping centre in Hillarys, approximately 18 kilometres north of Perth's central business district. The centre occupies a prominent site near the intersection of Marmion Avenue and Whitfords Avenue, close to St Mark's Anglican Community School and served by several Transperth bus routes connecting with Whitfords and Joondalup railway stations. It serves the northern Perth suburbs with a mixture of supermarkets, discount department and specialty retail, fresh food, restaurants, fast food, cinemas, arcade entertainment and other leisure uses. The centre opened on 21 March 1978 on the former Red Cattle Ridge site. Its original development cost was reported as $16 million and provided approximately 22,307 square metres of floor area. The opening tenant mix included an Aherns department store, one of Western Australia's early Big W stores, a Woolworths supermarket and about 50 specialty shops. Outdoor facilities, a library and a nearby petrol station formed part of the early commercial setting. Aherns later left the centre, and subsequent redevelopment removed the department-store space rather than replacing it with a Myer or David Jones. As a result, Whitford City developed as a major centre without a traditional flagship department store. A series of expansions changed the centre from a relatively compact suburban mall into a major regional retail and entertainment destination. A redevelopment completed around 1990 added a relocated Woolworths and a food court, while a further project completed in the early 1990s introduced Target, expanded the western side of the mall and added more than 40 specialty stores. Fast-food outlets including Hungry Jack's and KFC were subsequently developed outside the main centre. A six-screen cinema and associated entertainment uses were approved in 1992 and completed in 1996. The complex later included Greater Union Cinemas, Intencity and Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon. A major redevelopment approved in 2001 and completed in the following years expanded the centre to approximately 76,463 square metres. It added an upper-west mall, a relocated supermarket, a fresh-food market, new mini-major tenants, additional parking, restaurant and fast-food facilities, and the Piazza outdoor dining area. Greater Union's cinema operation was later sublet to Grand Cinemas. In 2004, ownership changes brought the centre into the Westfield portfolio, and it was renamed Westfield Whitford City. Westfield signage, entrances and common areas were subsequently modernised. The most substantial recent transformation followed Scentre Group's announcement in 2016 of an approximately $80 million project. Completed on 20 September 2017, the project replaced the existing Piazza and cinema complex with an eight-screen Event Cinemas facility, including V-Max and Gold Class screens, and added a restaurant precinct with 12 dining venues. The redevelopment also introduced Whitfords Brewing Company, described in the reference material as Western Australia's first microbrewery in a shopping-centre setting, an iPlay arcade and bowling venue, a relocated Rebel store, and improvements to the fresh-food market and Woolworths. Total floor area increased to approximately 84,759 square metres. Westfield Whitford City is currently described as having more than 240 specialty stores and as one of Perth's largest shopping centres without a Myer or David Jones department store. The centre's reported 2023 performance included approximately 7.2 million customer visits, a surrounding trade-area population of about 224,410 and retail spending in that trade area of approximately $2.3 billion. The reported centre turnover for 2023 was $513 million, compared with $395 million in 2006. These figures are reference-period operating statistics rather than a valuation or public-company financial statement. The property relationship changed again in 2024 when GIC sold its interest to JY Group for a reported $195 million. Scentre Group did not exercise the opportunity to take full control, and continues to operate the centre under the Westfield brand. Approval exists for a possible future development containing about 90 apartments and an office building, while longer-term provisions have also contemplated an expanded centre and a David Jones major store. No construction date for those proposals is identified in the reference material.
History
Westfield Whitford City began as Whitford City Shopping Centre on the former Red Cattle Ridge site in Hillarys. The centre opened on 21 March 1978 with approximately 22,307 square metres of floor area, an Aherns department store, an early Western Australian Big W location, a Woolworths supermarket and around 50 specialty stores. Its original development cost was reported as $16 million. The site also included outdoor facilities and a library, while a petrol station was built nearby soon after opening. The first major expansion was approved in 1985 and completed around 1990. It increased the centre to approximately 39,447 square metres, relocated Woolworths and introduced a new food court with a McDonald's. The food-court project required demolition of the Aherns department store, leaving the centre without a conventional department-store anchor. A further redevelopment was approved shortly afterward and expanded the complex to about 52,517 square metres. That work added a Target discount department store, enlarged the western side with more than 40 specialty stores and refurbished existing areas, including Big W. Hungry Jack's and KFC facilities outside the main centre were completed in 1993. Entertainment became a larger part of the offer during the 1990s. A six-screen cinema complex was approved in 1992 and completed in 1996. The entertainment precinct included Greater Union Cinemas, an Intencity arcade and Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, with the cinema located beside the food court on the second floor. Another major redevelopment was approved in 2001. The approximately $80 million project expanded floor area to 76,463 square metres and created an upper-west mall, a relocated Woolworths, a fresh-food market, A Mart All Sports, later known as Rebel, and Best & Less mini-major space. It also expanded parking and fast-food facilities, renovated existing mall areas and added the Piazza outdoor dining zone overlooking Whitfords Avenue. Greater Union later sublet its cinema operation to Grand Cinemas. Ownership and branding changed in the 2000s. Dexus sold a 50 percent interest to Westfield Corporation in August 2004, and the centre was renamed Westfield Whitford City. Dexus sold its remaining 50 percent interest to GIC in December 2009. During the mid-2000s, the adjoining business centre was refurbished, a Westfield Shop for Your School promotion was run in 2006 and 2007, and the Food Forum was refreshed and renamed the Food Court. In July 2014, the former Westfield Group was separated into Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation. Ownership and management of the Australian shopping-centre portfolio transferred to Scentre Group, which continued to operate Whitford City under the Westfield name. In July 2016, Scentre Group announced an approximately $80 million redevelopment centred on the outdoor Piazza and cinema area. The existing Piazza and cinema complex were demolished. The replacement opened on 20 September 2017 and increased total floor area to about 84,759 square metres. It introduced an eight-screen Event Cinemas complex with V-Max and Gold Class auditoria, 12 new dining venues, Whitfords Brewing Company, a basement iPlay arcade and bowling facility, a relocated Rebel store, and upgrades to the fresh-food market and Woolworths. The project strengthened the centre's position as both a shopping destination and a dining and entertainment venue. In September 2024, GIC sold its stake to JY Group for a reported $195 million. Scentre Group chose not to acquire full ownership. The centre remains active and continues to trade under the Westfield brand. Longer-term planning material identifies approval for about 90 apartments and an office block, as well as provisions for possible expansion and a David Jones major store, but no construction timetable is specified.
- 2024
JY Group acquires GIC stake
[1]JY Group purchased GIC's interest for a reported $195 million, leaving Scentre Group as the operating owner alongside the minority investor.
- 2017
Major Piazza redevelopment opens
[1]The redeveloped precinct opened on 20 September with Event Cinemas, new dining, a brewery, iPlay and expanded retail facilities.
- 2014
Australian Westfield portfolio transfers to Scentre Group
[1]The separation of Westfield Group transferred Australian shopping-centre ownership and management to Scentre Group.
- 2009
GIC acquires remaining Dexus interest
[1]GIC acquired Dexus's remaining 50 percent interest in the centre.
- 2004
Centre joins the Westfield portfolio
[1]Westfield Corporation acquired a 50 percent interest, and the centre adopted the Westfield Whitford City name.
- 2001
Large-scale redevelopment approved
[1]An approximately $80 million project was approved to expand the centre, improve parking and create new fresh-food, retail and dining facilities.
- 1996
Cinema and entertainment precinct opens
[1]A six-screen cinema complex and associated entertainment venues were completed.
- 1993
Further retail and fast-food expansion completed
[1]The centre expanded to approximately 52,517 square metres, with Target, additional specialty stores and external Hungry Jack's and KFC outlets.
- 1990
First major expansion completed
[1]The centre grew to approximately 39,447 square metres and the food-court project resulted in the departure of Aherns.
- 1985
Redevelopment approved
[1]Plans were approved for a substantial expansion featuring a relocated Woolworths and a new food court.
Products and positioning
A major suburban shopping, dining and entertainment centre serving northern Perth, combining everyday convenience retail with regional-scale specialty shopping and leisure attractions.
Retail · 1978
Specialty retail
The centre's core offer comprises more than 240 specialty stores across fashion, accessories, beauty, health, technology, homewares and other everyday categories. The assortment is designed to serve a broad suburban trade area rather than a narrowly defined luxury or outlet segment.
Groceries and fresh food · 1978
Fresh Food Market and Woolworths
Fresh-food facilities and Woolworths provide the centre's everyday grocery and food-shopping anchor. The supermarket has been relocated and refurbished through successive redevelopments, while the fresh-food market forms part of the centre's convenience-oriented offer.
Entertainment · 2017
Event Cinemas
The current cinema complex opened as part of the 2017 redevelopment. It has eight screens, including V-Max and Gold Class auditoria, replacing the earlier Greater Union and Grand Cinemas facilities.
Dining and beverage · 2017
Whitfords Brewing Company
Whitfords Brewing Company is a brewpub-style dining venue introduced in the 2017 redevelopment. It forms part of the outdoor dining and restaurant precinct and was described in the reference material as Western Australia's first microbrewery in a shopping-centre setting.
Family entertainment · 2017
iPlay
The iPlay venue added arcade games and bowling to the centre's leisure offer. It was positioned in the basement of the redeveloped precinct and complements the cinema and restaurant uses.
Marketing campaigns
- 2007Westfield Shop for Your School
Australia · Western Australia
The centre continued its participation in the Westfield Shop for Your School promotion.
- 2006Westfield Shop for Your School
Australia · Western Australia
Westfield Whitford City participated in the Shop for Your School promotion, encouraging customers to shop at the centre while supporting participating schools.
Brand decisions
2024
Transfer of GIC's minority interestM&ABackground
GIC held a 50 percent interest in the centre after acquiring Dexus's remaining stake in 2009.
Action taken
GIC sold its interest to JY Group for a reported $195 million. Scentre Group did not pursue full ownership.
Aftermath
JY Group became the minority investor while Scentre Group continued operating the Westfield-branded centre.
Reported transaction value. $195 million (2024 transaction)
2016
Approve an entertainment and dining-led redevelopmentStrategyBackground
The existing Piazza and cinema precinct required replacement, while the centre sought to strengthen its role beyond conventional shopping.
Action taken
Scentre Group announced an approximately $80 million redevelopment adding Event Cinemas, new restaurants, Whitfords Brewing Company, iPlay and refreshed retail and fresh-food facilities.
Aftermath
The project opened in September 2017 and expanded the centre to approximately 84,759 square metres.
Redevelopment cost. $80 million announced project (Announcement in 2016; completion in 2017)
Recent events
- 2024
GIC sells its interest in Westfield Whitford City to JY Group[1]
M&A
GIC sold its interest in the shopping centre to JY Group for a reported $195 million. Scentre Group did not proceed with an option to acquire full control.
- 2017
Westfield Whitford City redevelopment opens[1]
Product launch · Other
The redevelopment opened on 20 September 2017, expanding the centre to approximately 84,759 square metres and adding an eight-screen cinema complex, restaurant venues, Whitfords Brewing Company and iPlay.
- 2016
Scentre Group announces major redevelopment of Westfield Whitford City[1]
Other
Scentre Group announced an approximately $80 million redevelopment focused on replacing the Piazza and cinema precinct, adding new dining, Event Cinemas, iPlay entertainment and improvements to the fresh-food and supermarket areas.
Sources2 sources
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