Bankstown Central

In 1966, Lady Cutler, wife of NSW Governor Roden Cutler, inaugurated Bankstown Central. Originally called Bankstown Square, it was Australia’s largest shopping centre at the time. Bankstown Central was a landmark achievement for Lendlease, remaining their flagship property for years. It symbolized Bankstown’s rise as a key hub in South Western Sydney. Bankstown Central brought prominent retailers like David Jones to the area. It also became a focal point for community and government services. Imagine the excitement as shoppers explored the brand-new David Jones, Big W, Woolworths, and Nock & Kirby, along with over 100 other shops. Bankstown Central sits near the site of a former Waltons store, which later became Venture and Norman Ross. In 1993, it transformed into World 4 Kids, operating until 2002. This space eventually housed JB Hi-Fi, Roni’s, and other stores, with Target occupying the upper level. Fast forward to 2002, Bankstown Central (then Bankstown Square) was co-owned by General Property Trust (GPT) and the Government Superannuation Office (GSO). GPT sold its share to Centro Properties Group, leading to the name change to “Centro Bankstown”. A significant two-stage redevelopment finished in 2008 expanded Bankstown Central further. The first stage introduced a new Woolworths, NSW’s largest Big W, and 28 specialty stores. Franklins took over the old Woolworths location. A new mall connected the Grand Market with the food court. The second stage saw David Jones depart in 2007 after a 40-year run. Myer replaced David Jones in 2008, becoming the largest store in Bankstown Central at 10,150 square meters. Following Centro Properties Group’s restructuring, the centre was rebranded as “Bankstown Central” in 2013. Sadly, a shooting incident occurred in the rooftop carpark in 2016, resulting in one death and two injuries. Bankstown Central continued trading after this targeted attack. Looking to the future, a $2 billion redevelopment is planned. This will incorporate apartments, offices, a hotel, and a new ‘Eat Street’. The first phase, “Bankstown Exchange”, is slated for completion around 2025. Today, Bankstown Central boasts over 277 stores across 85,840 square meters. Anchor tenants include Myer, Big W, Kmart, Woolworths, Uniqlo, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel, and Funland. Coles recently replaced Supa IGA in 2022.