Westfield Knox: Shoppers waiting for upgrade to ageing Wantirna South centre

It should be the jewel in the crown of a booming area in Melbourne’s east, but Westfield Knox has become a rundown and sad shopping mall.

Westfield Knox hasn’t had a major upgrade for 20 years.

When news broke that Westfield Knox was finally going to be revamped back in 2012, locals rejoiced.

Finally the ageing centre, built in 1977, would get a $450m makeover.

But eight years later, shoppers are still waiting.

It’s not good enough.

Westfield Knox, better known by locals as Knox Shopping Centre, is the heart of the community.

Everybody who grew up in the area has fond memories of their time visiting the complex.

Problem is, it hasn’t changed too much in the past 20 years.

In recent years, people living in Knox have watched Westfield redevelop its Doncaster centre, and significant upgrades have also been completed at Eastland, The Glen and Chadstone.

But nothing but tumble weeds at Knox, with more and more retailers leaving.

McDonald’s recently closed at the Westfield Knox food court.

Why are the people of Knox being treated like second-class citizens?

It seems crazy in 2021 that shoppers wanting to do their groceries only have the choice of two Coles stores at the centre – there is still no Aldi or Woolworths.

And if you were doing your Christmas or birthday shopping for your daughter or girlfriend, why would you choose Knox when the centre doesn’t even have well-established brands like H&M, UNIQLO, Sephora or Mecca?

“Gone to the dogs,” a “ghost town” and “shabby” are among the terms shoppers have used to describe the centre.

They’re sick of nothing but nail salons and massage parlours.

Myer, which would have once been one of the centre’s main drawcards is looking sad and old.

McDonald’s, Paesano Italian restaurant, the Knox Irish pub and Harvey Norman are among the brands to leave the centre and Knox Ozone in recent years.

And while it may seem like a small issue or first-world problem an upgrade of Westfield Knox would mean so much for the area, restoring a sense of pride in the community and potentially boosting real estate prices.

An artist’s impression of the long-awaited Westfield Knox redevelopment.

Leader revealed in December 2019 the long-awaited revamp of the centre has been reduced in size, and is now set to include a fashion, fresh food and casual dining precinct, including an outdoor children’s play area surrounded by a cafe.

Last November, a Westfield Knox spokesperson told Leader it remained committed to investing in a renewal of the centre and would have more updates to share in 2021.

We can only hope work starts sooner, rather than later.

Scentre Group did not respond to Knox Leader’s request for comment.