Westfield Kotara
|
Westfield Kotara viewed from Northcott Drive | |
| Location | Kotara, New South Wales, Australia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°56′33.6″S 151°42′39.1″E / 32.942667°S 151.710861°ECoordinates: 32°56′33.6″S 151°42′39.1″E / 32.942667°S 151.710861°E |
| Address | Cnr Park Avenue and Northcott Drive |
| Opening date | 6 October 1965 (as Kotara Fair) |
| Developer | Woolworths Limited |
| Management | Scentre Group |
| Owner | Scentre Group |
| No. of stores and services | 256 |
| No. of anchor tenants | 6 |
| Total retail floor area | 68,660 m2 (739,050 sq ft) |
| No. of floors | 3 |
| Parking | 2,973 |
| Public transit access | |
| Website |
Westfield |
Westfield Kotara is a shopping centre located in the suburb of Kotara in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. It was opened in 1965 as Kotara Fair. In 2003 the shopping centre was purchased by the Westfield Group.[1]
The centre's major tenants include Coles, Target, Kmart, Woolworths, David Jones and a Toys "R" Us. It is often locally referred to as Garden City, reflecting its former title.[1]
History
The centre was developed by Woolworths and was called Kotara Fair when it first opened on 6 October 1965.[2] It was anchored by a Woolworths supermarket and a Big W department store, and there were 27 speciality stores. Kotara Fair was purchased by David Jones in 1971 and was subsequently redeveloped. The expansion was completed in October 1974 and the centre was renamed Garden City. As part of the redevelopment, David Jones and Norman Ross department stores, as well a further 24 speciality stores, were added. Further redevelopment occurred in 1977 when Norman Ross closed, and another 13 speciality stores were added.[3]
In 1980 Garden City was purchased by AMP and in 1988 another expansion created the largest shopping centre in the Hunter Region. The expansion added a Super Kmart and Best & Less as well as bringing the total number of retailers to 120.
On 28 December 1989, shortly after completion of another expansion program, the centre suffered significant damage during the Newcastle earthquake. Most affected were the upper levels of the car park adjacent to Northcott Drive and the Super Kmart. Despite the damage, repairs were effected quickly.[4]
In 1995 Toys "R" Us opened and was followed in 1998 by the addition of 14 speciality stores.[3]
In 2003 following the purchase of Garden City by the Westfield Group, the centre was renamed Westfield Kotara. Westfield worked for over a year to expand Westfield Kotara in an expansion that significantly increased its size. The centre now features a total of 247 shops including a new Target discount department store, JB Hi-Fi, The Reject Shop, Jay-Jays, Gloria Jean's, General Pants, Just Jeans, Australia Post office, Pumpkin Patch, Supré, McDonald's, newsagencies, Oporto, Priceline, Toys "R" Us, Coles, Woolworths, K-Mart and David Jones. The redevelopment commenced in May 2006. The new food court and half the mall opened on 16 August 2007. The Fashion Mall was completed in September 2007.[3]
In 2010 the centre had a development application approved for an eight screen cinema complex and possible ten pin bowling alley as part of a $12.5 million expansion in light of the opening of the new Charlestown Square in late 2010.[5] As of the end of 2014, the cinema was still being touted as a future project.[6] By December 2015, an entertainment precinct, to be called "The Rooftop", will open. The Rooftop will include an eight screen cinema complex and an open air dining area with between eight and 10 local and national restaurants and food outlets.[7][8] The Rooftop will open on 26 November 2015.[9]
Access
Westfield Kotara is located on the corner of Northcott Drive and Park Avenue. The centre has a significant amount of parking with entrances in Northcott Drive, Park Avenue and Lexington Parade. Level three parking is available via the new express ramp. Adamstown railway station is approximately 1.2 kilometres (0.7 mi) to the northeast of the shopping centre and Kotara railway station is approximately 1.3 kilometres (0.8 mi) to the west. Bus services frequently operate to various destinations in the region and are operated by Newcastle Buses.[10]
Facilities
As of October 2015, Westfield Kotara had 256 stores, 68,660 m2 (739,050 sq ft) of floor space on two levels and 2,973 car spaces.[11] Anchor tenants are:
References
- 1 2 "Garden City becomes Westfield Kotara". Burnett Innovation. 12 August 2003. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
- ↑ "Centro Roselands And Westfield Kotara Both Turn Forty". Shop Talk Newsletter. 14 October 2005. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
- 1 2 3 "Development History of Westfield Kotara". Westfield Group. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
- ↑ "QVS Property & Maintenance". QVS Group. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
- ↑ Jones, Jacqui (10 August 2010). "Tenpin bowling plan for Kotara Westfield". The Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 10 October 2010.
- ↑ "New Developments". Scentre Group. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
- ↑ http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2988534/work-starts-on-westfield-rooftop/
- ↑ http://www.westfield.com.au/kotara/events/the-rooftop-coming-soon/16234
- ↑ https://www.westfield.com.au/kotara/events/the-rooftop-kotara/16234?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=6990462&utm_campaign=20151120-kotara-all-83718
- ↑ "Route Descriptions". Newcastle Buses & Ferries. State Transit Authority of New South Wales. Retrieved 20 July 2008.
- ↑ "Westfield Kotara". Scentre Group. Retrieved 25 October 2015.