Westfield Knox, Forest Hill, The Glen: how shopping centres have changed
Remember buying CDs from Brash’s at Eastland or playing on the rocket ship at Forest Hill Chase? Shopping centres in the east have changed a lot since these colourful times.
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From humble beginnings, Melbourne shopping centres have grown into multimillion-dollar precincts that welcome millions of visitors a year.
In years gone by, a shopping trip might have included a stop at Brash’s music store at Eastland to buy a CD or taking a break to let your children climb the rocket ship play equipment at Forest Hill Chase after visiting McEwans hardware store.
Now, with coronavirus lockdown restrictions easing, you can enjoy a meal at the new outdoor dining precinct at The Glen or visit a high-end fashion boutique at Chadstone.
We take a look at how shopping centres in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs have changed over the years.
KNOX CITY SHOPPING CENTRE
Knox Shopping Centre opened in November 1977 after 15 years of planning and was originally going to be called “Studwood.”
It took two years and $30 million to build on the centre of a 12ha site on the corner of Burwood Highway and Stud Rd.
Major retailers were Myer, Target and McEwans, with 83 specialty shops and a twin cinema.
In 1988 the centre had its first redevelopment, with 30 new retailers and a deck of carparking added.
The project doubled the size of the centre and was completed in November 1990.
As part of that, Knox District Centre opened in 1989, built on a 7ha site next to the shopping centre, with a 10-screen cinema complex, food court and retailers, including the popular Pink Cadillac Cafe.
It became known as Knox Ozone, with another extensive redevelopment including a 15-screen Village Cinema complex and restaurants opening in 2002.
Shops to come and go at the centre over the years include a Bi-Lo supermarket and Borders book store.
On Knox Leader’s Facebook page Sotiria Stratis said she loved the little Asian shop near the original cinemas on level 2. “They sold the best pork buns,” she said.
Kevin Heywood fondly remembered the Video Games Heaven and Blockbuster Video store outside in the Knox District Centre.
Jen Straub said she enjoyed taking her grandchildren to where the water fountains sprung up from out of the floor — “Always caused a laugh,” she said.
Jo Noble said she had great memories of the original Knox City.
“Homewood Cafeteria was my first job, cinemas in the centre near the office tower. Favourite shops Brashs, Hilton’s and Just Jeans. And the TV show Cop Shop filming there,’’ she said.
“It was a great shopping centre back in the late 70s early 80s.”
Unlike many centres in the east, Knox has not had a significant upgrade in years.
Westfield took over management of the centre in 2012 and plans for a $450 million expansion of the centre were announced in 2014 but work still hasn’t started.
Stewart White, of Scentre Group — which lodged redevelopment plans on behalf of Westfield Knox to Knox Council last December — said updated plans include a fashion, fresh food and casual dining precinct.
Mr White said the centre was planning an outdoor children’s play area surrounded by a cafe and dining for families to enjoy.
The Myer store will also be reduced to two floors.
THE GLEN
The Glen shopping centre opened in 1967 with only a Woolworths and Lindsays, which later became Target, and a few specialty stores.
The centre expanded in the 1980s and ’90s with redevelopments including the first suburban David Jones and other significant retailers.
A $500 million redevelopment of The Glen was announced in 2015, including more than 500 apartments across three residential towers.
Thousands of people poured into centre last August to celebrate the official opening of the final stage of the redevelopment.
Two years in the making, the transformation and expansion boosted the centre to 78,000sq m with more than 250 fashion, fresh food, beauty, lifestyle and dining retailers.
It includes an outdoor dining precinct and new look David Jones store.
FOREST HILL
Mention Forest Hill shopping centre and one thing immediately comes to the mind of many past visitors: the rocket ship.
The play equipment was a favourite for many and many people fondly remember playing on it when they were children.
On the Whitehorse Leader Facebook page Misformel Risforrowe remembered “going to Safeway opposite the rocket ship and the trolley would rattle down the bumpy brick path. I also loved visiting Clarke Rubber and seeing the plastic ducks in the pool”.
The shopping centre was built in 1964 and many shops have come and gone over the years.
Marisa Adams said she had loved the Robbie Flowers sports shop at the centre, where she bought her first red stone rollerskates while Joy Cuddihy Boyko said she loved Harry Heath’s supermarket.
Wendy Adams said she loved Bell’s Discounts and the man in the Apple who sold the apple turnovers.
She said every school uniform was purchased at Waldrons and she also loved visiting the fabulous Chinese restaurant in Glebe St.
Loralie Schultz said: “I only moved to Melbourne in 1989 but I remember that Forest Hill Chase had a Pancake Parlour next to its cinema back then, and later a games arcade on the same level just outside of the cinema.”
Sharyn Dingeldei said she loved visiting Brash’s music store to get the weekly 3XY top 40 countdown, while Sharyn Dingeldei remincised about the McEwans hardware store
John Feeney said What’s New was his go-to place in the ‘90s for trading cards at ‘Forrie’.
“I also remember attending the yearly Christmas breakfast there in the food court,” he said.
Shoppers were disappointed when Big W closed at the centre 2018 after 21 years.
Myer was also briefly based at the centre before Harris Scarfe returned.
In recent years the centre welcomed a host of new retailers including Sportsgirl, TK Maxx and
a new dining precinct, The Loft.
EASTLAND
Unlike Knox, Eastland has changed significantly since opening in 1967.
It unveiled a huge $665 million redevelopment in 2016 including a new family friendly playground, 80 new shops and a boutique space.
New stores included Nike, Levi’s, Bonds, Tiger Mist and Bardot Junior.
The additions complemented the arrival of CBD-style dining at Town Square and brands including H & M and Uniqlo the previous year.
But many readers on Maroondah Leader’s Facebook page had fond memories of the centre before its makeover.
Alyson Morrison said she remembered “the amazing Christmas decorations” at the centre, including a life-size sleigh complete with Santa and all the reindeer strung across the roof. “And (music store) Brashs of course,” she said.
David Weston said he had also loved Brashs and Downies Donuts.
Blair Christie said he loved Eastland back in the ‘80s especially the Video Games Heaven/Mania store.
Kerry Harry remembered lining up for concert tickets at the BASS outlet upstairs at Myer. “Pre-internet era if you wanted to get the best possible tickets for concert tours, you joined the line snaking around the front before Eastland opened,” she said.
Amanda Leahy said her memories included the giant arches on the facade and the big internal ramp they ran up and down.
Michael Birt said like many, he did a lot of early driving practice in the vast Eastland carpark as the centre was closed Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
“Not a chance of that happening today,” he said.
WESTFIELD DONCASTER
Lovingly known as Shoppo, Westfield Doncaster celebrated its 50th birthday last year, with shoppers sharing their favourite memories.
On Manningham Leader’s Facebook page Suzanne Clarke said she had loved the pantomimes in the holidays and the funky wall sculpture above the Myer entrance.
Mel Mcmullen remembered the shop where fresh doughnuts were made in the window.
The centre has constantly evolved with the latest $500 million renovation plans to include a new level two dining precinct, expanded commercial and retail floor space, and a possible 14-storey gateway tower.
CHADSTONE SHOPPING CENTRE
Australia’s biggest shopping centre, better known as Chaddy, welcomes more than 23 million visitors a year.
According to owners Vicinity Centres, Chadstone was built at a cost of about £6 million by the Myer family and was the first regional shopping centre in Australia when it opened in 1960. In 1983, John Gandel paid $37 million to acquire Chadstone when sales were approximately $100 million a year.
Mr Gandel’s work to expand and improve Chadstone began almost immediately and has continued ever since.
Highlights over the years include the original mall becoming enclosed and Target opening in 1984; the first cinemas opening in 1986; Bi-Lo opening in 1989; the Galleria Mall including Australia’s first food court opening in 1990; and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre, Hoyts, H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, food central, dining terrace, luxury brands and Tower One commercial office building opening in 2016.
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