Westfield Whitford City

Westfield Whitford City, formerly Whitford City Shopping Centre, is a major shopping centre in Hillarys, east of St Mark's Anglican Community School in Perth, Western Australia. Built in 1977 on the former Red Cattle Ridge site at Marmion Avenue approximately north of the Perth central business district, the centre is owned by the Scentre Group.

In 2023, the shopping centre had a turnover of $513 million, up from $395 million in 2006, with approximately 7.2 million customer visits yearly. The trade-area population surrounding the shopping location is about 224,410 and the total retail spending in that area is $2.3 billion.

History

Whitford City opened on 21 March 1978 and had an Aherns department store until 1985, one of Western Australia's first Big W discount department stores, a Woolworths supermarket, and 50 specialty stores. The centre cost $16 million and had a floor area of . The centre also had outdoor facilities and a library, and a petrol station was built near the centre shortly after the opening.

In August 2004, Dexus sold a 50% shareholding to Westfield Corporation. In December 2009, Dexus sold its remaining 50% to GIC. In September 2024, GIC sold its stake to JY Group.GIC divests 50% of Westfield Whitford City to JY Group for A$195m
''Hong Kong Business'' 23 September 2024

Whitford City is currently Perth's largest shopping centre without a flagship department store such as Myer or David Jones. The shopping centre has officially been part of the Westfield Group since 2004 and is currently home to over 240 speciality stores. In July 2014, the Westfield Group became two companies ( Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation), with ownership and management transferring to Scentre Group.

In 2024, minority owner GIC sold their stake in the centre to JY Group for $195 million, with Scentre Group passing up the opportunity to take full control of the centre.

1989–1990

In 1985, works were approved for a new redevelopment to the centre to increase the size to . This new redevelopment was set to include a relocated Woolworths supermarket, and a new Food Court featuring a McDonald's. The addition of the new food court however, would cause the Aherns department store to be demolished. Since then, Westfield Whitford City has not had a department store such as Myer or David Jones. The redevelopment was completed by 1990.

1991–1993

Shortly after completion of the previous redevelopment, another redevelopment was approved that increased the floor area of the complex to . The new redevelopment included a new Target discount department store, expanded the west side of the mall featuring over 40 specialty stores, and the existing mall was renovated including Big W. In 1993, two new fast food restaurants, a Hungry Jack's and a KFC, were built outside the centre, completing the redevelopment.

1992–1996

In 1992, construction of a six screen cinema complex was approved. The redevelopment was completed in 1996 which included a Greater Union Cinemas, an Intencity arcade and a Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon. The Greater Union occupied the second floor beside the Food Court.

2001–2004

In 2001, redevelopment was approved that increased the floor area of the centre to . The $80 million redevelopment included the following.

*A new mall to the upper-west side of the centre.
*A relocated Woolworths supermarket.
*A new Fresh Food Market.
*A new Rebel and Best & Less mini-major store.
*Expanded parking, and fast food restaurants.
*Renovations to the entire existing mall.
*A new outdoor dining area named the "Piazza" with featured a view onto Whitfords Avenue.

Upon completion of the redevelopment, Greater Union sold their cinema in the centre to Grand Cinemas in 2004, and Whitford City was sold to Westfield which rebranded the centre to Westfield Whitford City and overhauled signage and entrances.

2016–2017

On 8 July 2016 Scentre Group announced an $80 million redevelopment that focused on the outdoor Piazza and included the following.

*A complete demolishing of the existing Piazza and cinema complex.
*A new 8-screen Event Cinemas complex featuring two "V-Max" and "Gold Class" screens.
*12 new dining restaurants including the first micro-brewery in Western Australia, The Whitfords Brewing Company.
*A new iPlay located in the basement floor featuring an arcade and bowling alley.
*A relocated Rebel near the Food Court.
*An overhauled Fresh Food Market with a renovated Woolworths supermarket.

The redevelopment opened on 20 September 2017, increasing the floor area of the complex to , making it the third largest shopping centre in the northern side of Perth, behind Lakeside Joondalup and Karrinyup Shopping Centre.

Transport

The centre is bounded by the major roads of Marmion Avenue and Whitfords Avenue in Hillarys. Multiple Transperth bus routes service the centre. 441, 460, 461 and 462 run along Whitfords Ave, while 442 runs along Marmion Ave on the eastern side of the precinct. All routes connect to Whitfords railway station and Joondalup railway station.

Future

The centre has development approval for about 90 apartments and an office block, however no development has begun yet.

Provisions for an expanded centre, including a David Jones Major, has been in development for multiple years, with no set construction date.

Gallery

References

External links

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{{WestfieldAustralia

Shopping centres in Perth, Western Australia
Shopping malls established in 1978
Whitford City
1978 establishments in Australia