Strolling along Victoria Avenue a shopper might wonder about this impressive retail destination. That is Chatswood Chase Sydney. It is more than just a shopping centre. It is a landmark with a rich history.
Chatswood Chase officially opened on March 23 1983. It quickly became a premier shopping destination on Sydney’s North Shore. But the story of Chatswood Chase began long before its grand opening.
In the early 1970s Willoughby Council had a vision. It wanted to establish Chatswood as a major retail centre. David Jones proposed building a shopping centre with two department stores. This was a game-changing idea.
Rival Grace Bros also had plans. They proposed a shopping centre next to their existing store. Disputes arose. But in 1978 the David Jones proposal was approved. This paved the way for Chatswood Chase.
Pre-development work began in 1981. This involved demolishing residential cottages and a church. The church was later reconstructed nearby. Sections of Neridah Street and Mills Lane were incorporated into the site. Even a natural watercourse was piped and diverted.
The shopping centre was developed by Loralt Chatswood. It was completed in just 14 months. Chatswood Chase was the first large-scale shopping centre. It featured Coles New World supermarket Kmart and David Jones. It also housed the only Myer store in NSW at the time.
Interestingly Chatswood briefly had two Grace Bros stores. The space vacated by Myer became a food court. In September 2003 Chatswood Chase was sold to the CFS Gandel Retail Trust.
A major redevelopment commenced in 2007. This expansion increased the gross lettable area. It cost around $185 million. The redevelopment included relocating Coles adding a new food court and upgrading the Victoria Avenue entrance. In 2010 the centre was renamed Chatswood Chase Sydney.
Apple opened its second Australian store here in 2008. In 2012 JB Hi-Fi replaced Harvey Norman. In November 2017 GIC purchased a 49% shareholding. Vicinity Centres currently owns 51%. GIC owns 49%.
Chatswood Chase has 63815 square meters of floor space. Major retailers include David Jones Kmart Coles and Apple.
A $327 million expansion was proposed in 2019. It included new shops a cinema and a dining plaza. However this redevelopment was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Getting here is easy. The Metro North West & Bankstown and North Shore lines serve Chatswood station. Numerous bus routes also stop near Chatswood Chase. The centre also provides ample parking with 2434 spaces.
Today Chatswood Chase continues to evolve. A major reconfiguration is underway. It includes design and ambience upgrades. New skylight-atria features are being added. The Victoria Avenue entrance is being transformed. Upon completion Chatswood Chase will be a fashion capital. It will house luxury retail and international designers.
Vicinity Centres is creating premium rooftop office space. This is Chase Quarter. It targets 5-star Green Star and NABERS Energy ratings. It will offer direct access to the luxury retail below.
Chatswood Chase has a book value of $670 million. It is projected to reach $1.5 billion after the 2024 revamp. This shows the centre’s strong growth potential. It attracts 10 million consumer visits each year.
So next time you are here remember the vision and hard work. It transformed this site into a retail destination. Chatswood Chase Sydney continues to be a place for shopping dining and community.