How many stories does Westfield Hurstville hold within its walls? Right here before us stands Westfield Hurstville a bustling hub of activity. It’s more than just a shopping centre. It’s a living testament to Hurstville’s history. Opened on October 9 1978 by Premier Neville Wran it was a bold vision. A $30 million investment. It promised a new era of shopping for St George.
The original Westfield Hurstville boasted Coles New World Waltons Nock & Kirby Franklins and Best & Less. It was unique. It was the first shopping centre in Australia with a rooftop park. Snowy Hill Park a tranquil escape named after a former mayor. Imagine shoppers finding respite from the retail rush in this quiet green space. Sadly Snowy Hill Park was later transformed into a carpark to accommodate growing demand.
The 1990s brought major expansion. Westfield Hurstville stretched across Park Road. A retail bridge connected both sides. Grace Bros Kmart and a Greater Union cinema joined the lineup. This expansion breathed new life into the area especially after 5 pm. Grace Bros initially planned for Rockdale shifted to Hurstville due to David Jones’s interest in the area. Venture a successor to Waltons relocated next to Grace Bros.
But the centre wasn’t immune to the tides of retail change. In the mid-1990s high-end stores like Brashs and Intencity closed. Intencity the first of its chain opened in the former Waltons space. Toys”R”Us replaced Venture only to shrink later with Rebel Sport and then Aldi taking over parts. By 1998 Westfield Hurstville faced a downturn. The building aged. Stores closed.
A major redevelopment in 2015 revitalized the centre. A $100 million investment brought in a new Woolworths JB Hi-Fi Big W Cotton On and a relocated Best & Less. The Greater Union Cinema became Event Cinemas adding a massive VMAX screen. A rooftop dining precinct emerged adding a new dimension to the shopping experience.
Recent years saw further changes. Myer and Toys”R”Us departed. Three new mini-majors including Uniqlo and TK Maxx replaced Target. A JD Sports store also opened. Future plans include the possibility of six high-rise towers above the centre. These towers could bring residential and student accommodations significantly altering the Hurstville skyline.
Westfield Hurstville has witnessed numerous incidents over the years. A tragic fall from a rooftop carpark in 2003 a suspicious package incident in 2010 and reckless acts involving shopping trolleys in 2014. A jewellery theft in 2015 and a fatal accident involving a bus driver in 2016 added to its history. Even a baby formula frenzy brawl outside Woolworths in 2019 highlights the centre’s impact on the community.
Today Westfield Hurstville continues to adapt and evolve. It remains a major shopping destination for the St George area. Its history is woven into the fabric of the community. It’s a place where shopping memories are made. It’s a place where history lives and breathes. It’s a place you won’t soon forget.