A sprawling landscape once graced this very spot. A farm and English garden designed by artist Henrietta Maria Gulliver. It was a renowned showplace. Now stands Westfield Southland.
Westfield Southland opened in September 1968. It was one of Melbourne’s premier shopping centres. It was relatively small then. There were a few large stores. A Myer department store and a Safeway supermarket were highlights. A rooftop garden offered a unique touch. Original abstract artwork adorned the hallways. Wolfgang Sievers’ photographs capture its early days. These are now part of the National Library of Australia’s collection.
Tomkins Shaw & Evans designed Westfield Southland. They also designed Westfield Miranda. They won the Victoria Award in 1969 for Southland’s design. It beat the National Gallery of Victoria. Shopping centres were then judged on design and amenity. Myer owned Southland until the mid-1980s. Westfield Group took over management. Southland didn’t rival Chadstone in size until then.
Westfield Southland underwent many renovations. The first expansion was in 1987. A Village Cinemas complex and food court were added in 1990. The rooftop garden was removed. It was replaced with a third level of stores. The 1990s redevelopment was massive. It cost $300 million. A large retail bridge was added. It’s the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. This bridge connects the original site and the new extension across the eight-lane Nepean Highway. Myer moved to a new location during the construction. The Street a youth-oriented mall opened in 1999. The David Jones department store opened in 2000 completing the redevelopment. Further improvements included shaded carparks and a glass window offering stunning views of the Melbourne CBD.
Since 2002 the Victorian State Government has recognised Westfield Southland. It’s one of 26 Principal Activity Centres in Melbourne’s 2030 Metropolitan Strategy. Improving public transport access was key. A railway station was built and opened in November 2017.
Westfield Southland boasts approximately 400 retailers. Major names include Myer David Jones Coles Woolworths and Village Cinemas. The centre had an annual turnover of $857.9 million in 2016. Many scenes from the TV show Kath & Kim were filmed here. The show depicts the centre as Fountain Lakes. Westfield Southland also featured in Please Like Me.
Westfield Southland. A testament to Melbourne’s evolution. From a tranquil farm to a bustling hub. A place where history and shopping collide.