Knox, Fountain Gate, Doncaster: How Melbourne shopping centres have grown
From the rooftop garden at Southland to New World supermarket at Doncaster, amazing photos reveal how our shopping centres have changed.
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From the early days of rooftop gardens and Sizzler restaurants, to 24-hour trading and click-and-collect, there’s no doubt Melbourne shopping centres have changed dramatically over the years.
Westfield Knox has revealed it will include more community facilities, including a new library and basketball court, as part of its $355 redevelopment plans.
Take a look at how some of Melbourne’s most popular shopping centres have grown over the years.
SOUTHLAND
From the rooftop garden to countless celebrity appearances, Southland has been a firm favourite with shoppers in the south east since opening in Cheltenham in 1968.
Also used as a filming location for Kath & Kim when the pair went to grab a “chino” in the food court, the centre has grown dramatically over the years.
The first expansion was in 1987 when the rooftop garden, which had hosted weddings, was replaced by a third floor of shops.
The Village Cinemas complex and food court were added in 1990.
In May 2000 a $300 million redevelopment was completed which included a wide, multi-level retail-pedestrian-vehicle bridge linking the old and new sites across the Nepean Highway.
The controversial $21 million Southland train station opened in 2017.
The centre has about 400 stores including Myer and David Jones.
Recent arrivals include The Pancake Parlour and Roll’d.
WESTFIELD DONCASTER
Affectionately known as “Shoppo,” the Doncaster centre became a huge hit after it was built in 1969.
In the early days shoppers watched school holiday pantomimes outside Myer, and school kids hung out in the food court.
It even had a Sizzler restaurant.
The centre has been transformed over the years into a modern, stylish complex, with more than 390 stores including David Jones, Myer, Coles and Aldi.
A $30 million rooftop dining precinct was unveiled in 2020.
WESTFIELD FOUNTAIN GATE
What started off as a small centre in Melbourne’s southeast, is now one of the state’s biggest.
After opening in 1970, Westfield Fountain Gate has been transformed over the years into a huge centre with more than 400 stores.
The Transport Accident Commission bought the Narre Warren shopping centre in 1992 for $187 million, a record price for a Melbourne property at the time.
According to a report in the Herald Sun, Westfield were appointed managers in 1994.
They went on become the owners of the centre, which became famous by Kath & Kim who loved driving their Barina down for a spot of shopping.
The centre was also the home of the first Krispy Kreme store in Melbourne, with crowds flocking to get their hands on the sweet treats in 2006.
WESTFIELD PLENTY VALLEY
Plenty Valley Town Centre shopping centre was transformed into Westfield Plenty Valley in 2008.
Based in Mill Park, in the City of Whittlesea, the centre also welcomed a $80m dining and entertainment precinct in 2018.
A new Village Cinema Complex and Australia’s first crowdfunded pub, the Sporting Globe, headlined the new retailers.
WESTFIELD KNOX
The centre, then known as Knox City, opened its doors in 1977.
Myer was its first major tenant.
The centre grew over the years, with the development of Knox District Centre, which later became Knox Ozone.
Shoppers used to browse Video Games Heaven before heading for a meal at the Pink Cadillac Cafe.
The centre is now undergoing a $355 million expansion, including a new Coles and Aldi.
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