50+ PHOTOS: Bygone days of Pacific Fair

PACIFIC Fair opened in 1977 on pure swampland with just 96 specialty stores and two anchor tenants. Reminisce about bygone days with this gallery full of photos of the popular shopping centre throughout the decades.

Andrew Potts and Jodie Callcott

less than 2 min read

January 29, 2021 - 4:07PM

Gold Coast Bulletin

The construction of Pacific Fair commenced in May 1976 on what was once swampland. The centre took 16 months to complete and cost around $17 million. Photo:Brian Hart/Karen Wright

1/54The construction of Pacific Fair commenced in May 1976 on what was once swampland. The centre took 16 months to complete and cost around $17 million. Photo:Brian Hart/Karen Wright

2/54Pacific Fair opened on August 23, 1977 with McDonnell East, Kmart, Coles and 96 specialty stores.

A photo snapped in 1980 at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. A couple of years later the centre extended to include a Myer department store, a relocated and enlarged Coles and an additional 32 specialty stores.

3/54A photo snapped in 1980 at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. A couple of years later the centre extended to include a Myer department store, a relocated and enlarged Coles and an additional 32 specialty stores.

4/541986/87: Photo taken outside Kmart. This area is currently under construction as part of the renovations.

1989: A bridge was built across Little Tallebudgera Creek to improve access to the centre and provide a link between the Gold Coast Highway and Pacific Fair.

5/541989: A bridge was built across Little Tallebudgera Creek to improve access to the centre and provide a link between the Gold Coast Highway and Pacific Fair.

6/54Concessionaires Nancy Holbrook, Joan Godby, Bob Bamford, Murray and Norma Tod at Pacific Fair in 1992.

1994: In January, the department store, McDonnell East ceased trading, paving the way for the site to be re-leased to a new generation Target on the ground level and Toys R Us on the first level. Target opened in August and Toys R Us opened in September.

7/541994: In January, the department store, McDonnell East ceased trading, paving the way for the site to be re-leased to a new generation Target on the ground level and Toys R Us on the first level. Target opened in August and Toys R Us opened in September.

The train was a massive drawcard for shoppers hoping to keep their kids entertained for a few minutes during their outting. Picture: Ian Rogers

8/54The train was a massive drawcard for shoppers hoping to keep their kids entertained for a few minutes during their outting. Picture: Ian Rogers

9/541998: Poppy King launched her new lingerie range at Pacific Fair.

10/54An aerial photos of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in Broadbeach.

11/542004: A photo snapped from the air looking west toward Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Broadbeach is in the foreground.

A major drawcard at Pacific Fair in the 90s to 00s was the kids zone. In the late 00s a development application was lodged to expand the footprint of the centre by a further 40,000 square metres, including an additional multi-level car park and the introduction of new majors.

12/54A major drawcard at Pacific Fair in the 90s to 00s was the kids zone. In the late 00s a development application was lodged to expand the footprint of the centre by a further 40,000 square metres, including an additional multi-level car park and the introduction of new majors.

13/54Over the years many celebrities have visited Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, in May 2004 Paris and Nicky Hilton shopped till they dropped.

On June 30, 2005 there was significant flooding around the Gold Coast. Cars were submerged in floodwaters at and around Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Picture: Glenn Barnes

14/54On June 30, 2005 there was significant flooding around the Gold Coast. Cars were submerged in floodwaters at and around Pacific Fair Shopping Centre. Picture: Glenn Barnes

Pacific Fair Shopping Centre has always drawn a crowd, but to compete with other and newer shopping centres, a major renovation was vital to the survival of the centre.

15/54Pacific Fair Shopping Centre has always drawn a crowd, but to compete with other and newer shopping centres, a major renovation was vital to the survival of the centre.

While part of Pacific Fair was undercover, shielding shoppers from the weather, there were large sections that were not. Pictured is the indoor section near Myer, which is one of the only parts of the centre that won’t be dramatically changed.

16/54While part of Pacific Fair was undercover, shielding shoppers from the weather, there were large sections that were not. Pictured is the indoor section near Myer, which is one of the only parts of the centre that won’t be dramatically changed.

17/54Pacific Fair Shopping Centre always stands out, whether it is in the day or night. This reflective photo was captured by Jaime Dormer.

18/542015: Construction works kick into gear at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in Broadbeach. Picture: Scott Fletcher

19/542015: Construction works kick into gear at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in Broadbeach. Picture: Scott Fletcher

20/542015: Construction works kick into gear at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in Broadbeach. Picture: Scott Fletcher

21/542015: Construction work in progress at Pacific Fair. Multiple cranes were used during the renovation.

2015: An aerial view of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre at Broadbeach which has been under construction for the last year. Picture: Jerad Williams

22/542015: An aerial view of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre at Broadbeach which has been under construction for the last year. Picture: Jerad Williams

23/542015: Construction work in full-swing at Pacific Fair Shopping Centre in Broadbeach. Picture: Scott Fletcher

24/542016: Construction work going on at Pacific Fair and Creta Couldwell, Stephanie Smith and Annilia Page go shopping. Pic John Gass

25/542016: AMP project director Ian Spackman and Scentre Group site manager Kevin Morgan checking out the progress of the renovation.

26/542016: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre is putting the final touches on its major redevelopment.

2016: Construction work continues at Pacific Fair but that doesn’t stop Creta Couldwell, Stephanie Smith and Annilia Page from going shopping. Picture: John Gass

27/542016: Construction work continues at Pacific Fair but that doesn’t stop Creta Couldwell, Stephanie Smith and Annilia Page from going shopping. Picture: John Gass

28/54The new Resort section of Pacific Fair. Photo: Mike Batterham

29/54The new Resort section of Pacific Fair. Photo: Mike Batterham

30/54H&M at the new section of Pacific Fair Shopping Centre.Photo: Regi Varghese

UNIQLO shoppers from Melbourne were flown on a mystery charter flight to the Gold Coast to shop at the new UNIQLO opening at Pacific Fair on May 4, 2016. Pictured: Alexia Brinsley (white beanie) was picked off the street and was able to bring some friends Alexia Brinsley (white beanie) was picked off the street and was able to bring some friends William Wong, Sam Bennett and Siobhan Connors. Photo: David Clark

31/54UNIQLO shoppers from Melbourne were flown on a mystery charter flight to the Gold Coast to shop at the new UNIQLO opening at Pacific Fair on May 4, 2016. Pictured: Alexia Brinsley (white beanie) was picked off the street and was able to bring some friends Alexia Brinsley (white beanie) was picked off the street and was able to bring some friends William Wong, Sam Bennett and Siobhan Connors. Photo: David Clark