What if I told you that this Stockland Tooronga Shopping Centre has risen from the grounds of a former brickworks? It’s true. Stockland Tooronga stands as a testament to Glen Iris’s ever-evolving landscape.
Let’s dive into the story of Stockland Tooronga. It’s more than just a shopping center. It’s a mixed-use development combining residential, retail and office spaces. The shopping center part of Stockland Tooronga temporarily closed in March 2008 for redevelopment. It reopened in August 2010.
The original shopping center dates back to the 1960s. Coles even traded here from 1968. But, by the 1970s, development stagnated. In 1985, Hudson Conway bought the adjacent former brickworks. They proposed expanding the shopping center. This expansion faced local opposition. The Tooronga Action Group led the charge.
Hudson Conway eventually sold its share to Coles Myer in 1995. Stockland then purchased the site in 2004 for $30 million. Stockland’s vision was a mixed-use development. The Victorian State Government approved the project. This decision upset local residents. They felt Boroondara Council should have maintained planning control.
The redevelopment was extensive. Originally, the plan included 600 townhouses and apartments plus office space. This later expanded to 785 apartments. The development also provided parking for the adjacent Coles head office.
In 2011, Stockland abandoned the remaining residential stages. They sold 7.7 hectares of undeveloped land back to Coles. Coles later sold a portion to St Kevin’s College for sporting facilities.
Stockland Tooronga boasts a full-line Coles supermarket and a First Choice Liquor Superstore. It also has 30 specialty shops offering non-discretionary items.
Getting here is easy. Several bus routes stop nearby. The Glen Waverley train line also provides convenient access. The nearest bus stop is a short walk away. Tooronga Railway Station and a tram stop are also within walking distance.
In March 2019, Stockland announced its intention to sell Stockland Tooronga. Newmark Capital purchased the center in July 2019 for over $62 million.
Today, Stockland Tooronga thrives as a retail hub. It serves the affluent areas of Toorak, Malvern, Hawthorn, Kooyong, and Glen Iris. So next time you’re here, remember the rich history beneath your feet. It is a story of transformation, community, and commerce.