Once swampland now a shopper’s paradise that’s the story of Westfield St Lukes. This major Auckland shopping center has been a retail hub since 1971. It stands on St Lukes Road in Mount Albert.
Westfield St Lukes is one of Auckland’s big three western shopping centers. Around six million people visit each year. That is a lot of shoppers.
Inside Westfield St Lukes you will find over 160 shops. The mall covers 43000 square meters. Familiar anchor tenants include Farmers Kmart and Woolworths. There is also an Event Cinemas complex with eight screens. Plenty of options for shopping and entertainment.
Opening day in 1971 drew about 100000 people. Westfield invested around NZ$55 million in the early 2000s. This was to extend and renovate the center. These renovations kept the mall modern.
In 2008 a retail expert group rated New Zealand shopping centers. Westfield St Lukes earned three and a half stars. The rating considered shopping area economic performance and appeal. Future growth prospects were also considered.
Annual sales reached $363.1 million in 2018. That is a testament to its popularity. Westfield St Lukes provides ample parking with 2018 spaces.
Getting here is easy. Several bus routes service Westfield St Lukes. The OuterLink 64 and 65 buses stop right outside. Routes 20 22N and 22R stop on Morningside Drive. The nearest train station is at Morningside.
Westfield had expansion plans in 2009. They applied to extend the center to 92500 square meters. This would have made it New Zealand’s largest shopping center. Some neighbors opposed the expansion due to traffic concerns.
Today Westfield St Lukes remains a vital part of the community. It is a place for shopping entertainment and socializing. The center has grown and evolved with Auckland. Westfield St Lukes is more than just a mall. It is a destination.