Westfield Whitford City

Westfield Whitford City
Location Hillarys, Western Australia, Australia
Opening date 21 March, 1978
Management The Westfield Group
Owner The Westfield Group
No. of stores and services 299
No. of anchor tenants 4
Total retail floor area 76,463 m2
Parking 4165
No. of floors 1
Website westfield.com/whitfordcity

Westfield Whitford City is a major shopping centre, owned by the Westfield Group and located in Hillarys, a suburb of Perth. It is located approximately 18 kilometres north west of the Perth CBD on Marmion Avenue. In 2006, it had an annual turnover of A$395.4 million and approximately 7.2 million customer visits. The trade area population is about 224,410 and the total retail spending in trade area A$2.3 billion.

Contents

History and development

Whitford City opened on 21 March 1978, and is currently the largest single level shopping centre in Perth's northern suburbs. Whitford City is Perth's largest shopping centre without a flagship department store, such as a Myer, David Jones, or Harris Scarfe. However former department store chain Aherns did have an outlet there until 1985. Currently Whitford City is home to over 240 specialty stores. Whitford City has been officially part of the Westfield Group since 2004.

Redevelopments

While Westfield Whitford City has been gradually upgraded over the years, the most extensive development occurred between 2002 and 2004, with the area being expanded to about twice of its original size. Over 100 new stores have been added to the centre, including the relocation of Woolworths to the far west of the centre, a new fresh food mall, a new Best and Less store and a new restaurant precinct called The Piazza, which is located on top of the Dampier Avenue entrance. Upon completion, the centre was re-branded as a Westfield. Prior to this a Greater Union, currently a Grand Cinema complex and the now closed Intencity video arcade were developed in 1996.

Future

David Jones announced on 25 November 2008 that they would be opening a 13,500 sq.m two level store within the centre complex in early 2012 as part of a $200 million redevelopment of Westfield where the store will be the only department store. According to initial development plans presented by the company, the store will be located in a reconfigured space where Progressive IGA currently exists and the area surrounding the existing Big W would be reconfigured. When Daivd jones opens, it would have the 2nd highest growth of any store in the portfolio with Department Store Type Merchandise growing at around 6.1% per annum. The centre Moving Annual Turnover has been increasing at 12.5% per annum and as a result now has the 3rd highest MAT in Western Australia after Garden City, Booragoon and Westfield Carousel. [1]

As part of new State Government requirements, an Activity Centre Structure Plan was prepared for the centre by planning and design firm, Hames Sharley. The plan will facilitate approval of the expansion, however was refused by the City of Joondalup. Westfield is appealing this refusal. As a result of these delays, no expansion construction has started, and David Jones will not be opening in 2012 at Westfield Whitford City as originally planned.

Transport

The centre is bounded by the major roads of Marmion Avenue and Whitfords Avenue in Hillarys. Bus routes 460, 461 and 462 also service the centre from the Whitfords railway station and Joondalup railway station.

Facilities

Major retailers

Major retailers within Whitford City include:

Major food restaurants

Major food retailers within the centre include:

Major food restaurants outside of the centre include:

Images

References

External links