Westfield Woden

Shopping mall
Westfield Woden
Viewed from Callam Street multi-storey carpark opposite cinema. In 2009
Map
Opening date18 September 1972 (1972-09-18)
DeveloperLendlease
ManagementScentre Group
OwnerScentre Group (50%)
Perron Group (50%)
No. of stores and services266
No. of anchor tenants4
Total retail floor area62,000 m²
No. of floors4
Parking~1,500
Websitewww.westfield.com.au/woden

Westfield Woden, formerly Woden Plaza, is a large shopping centre in the Woden Town Centre of Phillip of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The centre comprises four anchor tenants - David Jones, Big W, Coles and Woolworths - and more than 250 other retail, leisure, and dining outlets.

History

Woden Plaza was developed by Lendlease.[1] It was opened on 18 September 1972 by Prime Minister William McMahon.[2]

To begin with, the centre's only components were what now houses the Big W and David Jones areas, but, during the 1980s, expanded to include a medium-sized food court.

In 1996, the centre underwent a major redevelopment, adding on a new wing to the building called "The Fresh Food Market" (currently housing Coles and Woolworths) as well as a new Hoyts 8-screen cinema complex. GPT purchased the first, second, and third storeys of the Bonner House building, situated across from the back of the centre, and connect the areas together with a pedestrian bridge.

The Westfield Group purchased a 50% stake in the centre in July 2005, with the remaining 50% retained by GPT.[3][4] [5] It took over management of the centre from Lendlease on the same date.[6] In December 2015 the Perron Group purchased GPT's shareholding.[7][8]

Transport

In December 1972 the Woden Interchange, located adjacent to the shopping centre, opened.[9] It was used by ACTION and CDC Canberra bus services until being closed in January 2023 and will be rebuilt on a new site.[10][11][12]

References

  1. ^ New plaza Canberra Times 15 September 1971 page 1
  2. ^ Woden Plaza nears completion Canberra Times 31 August 1972 page 1
  3. ^ GPT severs ties with Lend Lease Sydney Morning Herald 3 June 2005
  4. ^ "Westfield takeover Woden." Asia Africa Intelligence Wire (22 Feb 2005): NA. General Reference Center Gold. Thomson Gale. (CELPLO). Retrieved 26 Nov. 2006 [dead link]
  5. ^ "Westfield in $262m Woden Plaza deal." Asia Africa Intelligence Wire (19 Feb 2005): NA. General Reference Center Gold. Thomson Gale. (CELPLO). Retrieved 26 Nov. 2006 [dead link]
  6. ^ GPT announces implementation of Penrith and Woden transactions GPT 1 July 2005
  7. ^ Billionaire Stan Perron buys $335m GPT stake in Woden Australian Financial Review 12 December 2016
  8. ^ Westfield Woden Perron Group
  9. ^ Bus interchange opened Truck & Bus Transportation January 1973 page 99
  10. ^ Woden bus interchange closure Transport Canberra
  11. ^ Temporary Woden Bus Interchange now open Transport Canberra
  12. ^ Infrastructure Australian Bus Panorama issue 38/4 January 2023 page 34

Media related to Westfield Woden at Wikimedia Commons

35°20′47″S 149°05′12″E / 35.3464°S 149.0868°E / -35.3464; 149.0868