Forestway Shopping Centre: New images revealed of $30m makeover of 60-year-old mall

New images have emerged of the future radical $30m refurb of a popular, but ageing, Sydney shopping mall that opened its doors in 1966. See the pix here.

New images have emerged showing the proposed second stage in the radical $30m redevelopment of one of the northern beaches oldest shopping malls.

The new artist’s impressions reveal the ongoing massive modernisation of the Forest Way Shopping Centre at Frenchs Forest, which first opened its doors as the Arndale centre in 1966.

Stage one of the refurbishment is well underway, with the introduction of new tenants including a Vintage Cellars wine outlet, as well as a florist, on the western side of the centre.

Two Asian eateries have also been added as well as a revamped newsagency on the eastern side.

The new images, which have emerged as planning authorities have been asked to review new traffic movement and stormwater plans for the project, reveal new entry and exit points to the centre along Russell and Grace avenues.

An artist's impression of the future $30m refurbishment of Forestway Shopping Centre, Frenchs Forest, at the intersection of Forest Way and Russell Ave. Picture: nettletontribe

A current view of Forestway Shopping Centre, from Forest Way, showing the multi-storey car park that is set for demolition. Picture: Google Maps

They also show the mall’s radically changed future facade, confirming that the current three-storey car park along Forest Way, would be demolished.

A Parramatta-based property investment and management company, Revelop, bought the centre in March 2021 for $100m from the giant US investment firm giant Invesco Assest Management.

Revelop also bought the former Stockland Mall at Balgowlah for $155m in 2024.

An artist's impression of the refurbished of Forestway Shopping Centre, at the intersection of Russell and Grace avenues. Pictures: nettletontribe

A current view of Forestway Shopping Centre, from the intersection of Russell and Grace avenues. Picture: Google Maps

Invesco also had plans to partly demolish and redevelop the centre — one of the largest on the northern beaches — which now accommodates Woolworths and Aldi supermarkets, a McDonald’s and dozens of retail and hospitality outlets.

It wanted to double carparking to 740 spaces on the 2ha site near the intersection of Forest Way and Warringah Rd.

Invesco also had plans for a large restaurant, childcare centre, medical centre, a two-level basement car park and a gym as well as more shops and office space.

An artist's impression of the future Forestway Shopping Centre, along Grace Ave. Picture: nettletontribe

A view of Forestway Shopping Centre, Frenchs Forest, from Grace Ave. Picture: Google Maps

But that redevelopment proposal was knocked back by the Sydney North Planning Panel in late December 2020, on the grounds it would generate too much traffic on residential streets and did not meet many “environmental planning grounds”.

Revelop, however, said it had no plans to increase the general size and scale of the centre, but would improve parking, its appearance and the tenancy mix.

An artist's impression of the future of Forestway Shopping Centre, Frenchs Forest, on Grace Ave. Picture: nettletontribe.

A the view of Forestway Shopping Centre, from Grace Ave. Picture: Goggle Maps

Revelop director Charbel Hazzouri said he wanted to keep it as a “neighbourhood shopping centre” that offered a “truly one-stop shop customer experience”.

He said stage one of the redevelopment included an upgrade to the mall’s floors, ceilings and shopfronts and “aesthetic”.

“Internally, the centre retains its level access and convenience, but provides for a vastly improved finish and more diverse tenancy range to ensure Forestway will always be the local community’s one stop shop,” he said.