Southland Shopping Centre
Encyclopedia
Westfield Southland shopping centre is a super regional retail complex located in the suburb of Cheltenham
, approximately 16 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD in Victoria, Australia. Southland has a floor area of 129,071m². There are 410 retailers in Southland, including Myer
, David Jones
and Harris Scarfe
. According to the Melbourne 2030
Metropolitan Strategy, Southland is recognised as one of twenty six Principal Activity Centres
.
The centre is the third most profitable shopping centre in Australia, with an annual turnover of $788.4-million in 2009.
department store, Woolworths supermarket, and a special roof garden. Prior to the early 1980s Southland was owned by the Myer Emporium.
During Southland's history, many renovations and facelifts have shaped the centre, such as the first expansion in 1987 and the development of a Village Cinemas
complex and food court in 1990. The rooftop garden was removed upon first redevelopment and was replaced with a third level of stores.
about the rezoning of the 60,000 m² Cheltenham market area in order for them to construct a multi-million-dollar extension of Southland as part of a major redevelopment. The original plan was to have replaced the market with a 10-storey office tower and a two-level shopping centre, with a retail bridge connecting the new centre with the existing Westfield Centre over the eight-lane Nepean Highway
. The new centre would feature a discount supermarket and a regular supermarket as well as new specialty stores. All up, the whole centre would comprise up to 360 stores. In 1993, planning approval was given by the Minister for Planning Rob Maclellan
.
In December 1996, plans were changed in favor of better car park arrangements as well as easier access to the centre. The centre would soon feature more than 400 stores across three levels.
In November 1997, demolition commenced at the Cheltenham market site. In March 1998, the first concrete was poured by the Premier of Victoria Jeff Kennett
. The two sites were to be linked by a bridge with shops on it. The former cinemas and food court were demolished, and the wide, multi-level retail-pedestrian-vehicle bridge (largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere) was added. During this time, the Myer
anchor moved from the original site to the newer site. Construction was not just limited to the new site with the original site being upgraded to include a new larger cinema complex, in the youth-oriented mall called The Street.
The redevelopment was opened in stages, with The Street opening in April 1999. The main part of the redevelopment, the additional site and bridge were opened on October 28, 1999. The $300 million redevelopment was completed on May 5, 2000, with the opening of the David Jones
Department store.
Subsequently, another $13 million was used for additional work, which included construction of shaded car park areas, two new car park ramps as well as a large glass window attached to the second level of the retail bridge, which has views 16 kilometres in the distance of the Melbourne CBD.
Majors
Former stores
stores and Donut King
kiosks and two Muffin Break stores that service separate sections.
There are also two McDonald's
stores and two Specsavers Optometrists.
comedy Kath & Kim
are filmed at Southland. In the programme the centre is designated as Fountain Gate
, where some of the shopping scenes are also filmed.
routes (600/922/923, 631, 708, 767, 811/812, 821, 822, 823, 825, 827/828).
.
In late November 2010, the Victorian Government promised a railway station to be built at Southland in the next term, to serve the busy shopping centre. The railway station will cost approximately $13-million and it will have two platforms. The station will be a Premium station
located on the Frankston line, adjacent to Southland. The project is expected to be completed by 2014. A railway station had been proposed for the retail complex since as early as 1991.
Cheltenham, Victoria
Cheltenham is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located 19 km south-east of Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Kingston to the eastern side of the area's metropolitan railway line and Charman Road north, while the City of Bayside resides over...
, approximately 16 kilometres from the Melbourne CBD in Victoria, Australia. Southland has a floor area of 129,071m². There are 410 retailers in Southland, including Myer
Myer
Myer is Australia's largest department store chain, retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories; cosmetics and fragrance; homewares; electrical; furniture and bedding; toys; books and stationery; food and confectionery; and...
, David Jones
David Jones Limited
David Jones Limited , colloquially known as DJs, is a high-end Australian department store chain.David Jones was founded in 1838 by David Jones, a Welsh immigrant, and is claimed to be the oldest continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name. It...
and Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe
Harris Scarfe Department Stores was founded in Adelaide, South Australia in 1849. At its peak, Adelaide was home to several major South Australian department stores , of which Harris Scarfe is the sole...
. According to the Melbourne 2030
Melbourne 2030
The Metropolitan Strategy Melbourne 2030 is a Victorian Government strategic planning policy framework for the metropolitan area of Greater Melbourne, intended to cover the period 2001-2030. During this period the population of the metropolitan area is expected to grow by a million people to over 5...
Metropolitan Strategy, Southland is recognised as one of twenty six Principal Activity Centres
Activity centre
Activity centre is a term used in urban planning and design for a mixed-use urban area where there is a concentration of commercial and other land uses...
.
The centre is the third most profitable shopping centre in Australia, with an annual turnover of $788.4-million in 2009.
History
Southland was one of Melbourne's premier shopping centres at the time of its opening in September 1968. It was quite a small shopping centre with only a few stores such as a MyerMyer
Myer is Australia's largest department store chain, retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories; cosmetics and fragrance; homewares; electrical; furniture and bedding; toys; books and stationery; food and confectionery; and...
department store, Woolworths supermarket, and a special roof garden. Prior to the early 1980s Southland was owned by the Myer Emporium.
During Southland's history, many renovations and facelifts have shaped the centre, such as the first expansion in 1987 and the development of a Village Cinemas
Village Cinemas
Village Cinemas is an Australian cinema chain. Its Australian sites are owned and operated by Village Roadshow-Amalgamated Holdings Limited joint venture Australian Theatres. The group has rebranded several of its premier Australian and New Zealand cinemas as Event Cinemas since 2009. Village...
complex and food court in 1990. The rooftop garden was removed upon first redevelopment and was replaced with a third level of stores.
1990s redevelopment
Prior to the extension, the 70,000 m² Southland shopping centre had very limited development options. In June 1991, Westfield developers began discussions with the City of MoorabbinCity of Moorabbin
The City of Moorabbin was a Local Government Area located about southeast of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1862 until 1994.-History:...
about the rezoning of the 60,000 m² Cheltenham market area in order for them to construct a multi-million-dollar extension of Southland as part of a major redevelopment. The original plan was to have replaced the market with a 10-storey office tower and a two-level shopping centre, with a retail bridge connecting the new centre with the existing Westfield Centre over the eight-lane Nepean Highway
Nepean Highway
Nepean Highway runs south from the centre of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia to Portsea, along the eastern shore of Port Phillip. It is the primary road route to central Melbourne from Melbourne's southern suburbs.- History :...
. The new centre would feature a discount supermarket and a regular supermarket as well as new specialty stores. All up, the whole centre would comprise up to 360 stores. In 1993, planning approval was given by the Minister for Planning Rob Maclellan
Rob Maclellan
Robert Roy Cameron "Rob" Maclellan is a former Australian politician. He was a Liberal member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, representing the seats of Gippsland West , Berwick and Pakenham...
.
In December 1996, plans were changed in favor of better car park arrangements as well as easier access to the centre. The centre would soon feature more than 400 stores across three levels.
In November 1997, demolition commenced at the Cheltenham market site. In March 1998, the first concrete was poured by the Premier of Victoria Jeff Kennett
Jeff Kennett
Jeffrey Gibb Kennett AC , a former Australian politician, was the Premier of Victoria between 1992 and 1999. He is currently the President of Hawthorn Football Club. He is the founding Chairman of beyondblue, a national depression initiative.- Early life :Kennett was born in Melbourne on 2 March...
. The two sites were to be linked by a bridge with shops on it. The former cinemas and food court were demolished, and the wide, multi-level retail-pedestrian-vehicle bridge (largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere) was added. During this time, the Myer
Myer
Myer is Australia's largest department store chain, retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories; cosmetics and fragrance; homewares; electrical; furniture and bedding; toys; books and stationery; food and confectionery; and...
anchor moved from the original site to the newer site. Construction was not just limited to the new site with the original site being upgraded to include a new larger cinema complex, in the youth-oriented mall called The Street.
The redevelopment was opened in stages, with The Street opening in April 1999. The main part of the redevelopment, the additional site and bridge were opened on October 28, 1999. The $300 million redevelopment was completed on May 5, 2000, with the opening of the David Jones
David Jones Limited
David Jones Limited , colloquially known as DJs, is a high-end Australian department store chain.David Jones was founded in 1838 by David Jones, a Welsh immigrant, and is claimed to be the oldest continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name. It...
Department store.
Subsequently, another $13 million was used for additional work, which included construction of shaded car park areas, two new car park ramps as well as a large glass window attached to the second level of the retail bridge, which has views 16 kilometres in the distance of the Melbourne CBD.
Stores
Westfield Southland features up to 410 stores including 3 department stores, 3 discount department stores, 3 supermarkets, 3 electrical (computers, television etc.) retailers and a 16 screen Village Cinemas Multiplex (movie theatre).Majors
- A 2 level MyerMyerMyer is Australia's largest department store chain, retailing a broad range of merchandise including women's, men's and children's clothing, footwear and accessories; cosmetics and fragrance; homewares; electrical; furniture and bedding; toys; books and stationery; food and confectionery; and...
Department Store - A 3 level David JonesDavid Jones LimitedDavid Jones Limited , colloquially known as DJs, is a high-end Australian department store chain.David Jones was founded in 1838 by David Jones, a Welsh immigrant, and is claimed to be the oldest continuously operating department store in the world still trading under its original name. It...
Department Store - Harris ScarfeHarris ScarfeHarris Scarfe Department Stores was founded in Adelaide, South Australia in 1849. At its peak, Adelaide was home to several major South Australian department stores , of which Harris Scarfe is the sole...
Department Store - Big WBig WBig W is one of the largest chain of discount department stores in Australia, with over 150 stores. It is a division of Woolworths Limited, the second largest retailer in Australia. Its main competitors are Kmart and Target, both owned by Wesfarmers....
Discount Department Store (8,179m²) - KmartKmart AustraliaKmart Australia Limited is a discount department store chain owned by Wesfarmers. It operates 172 stores in Australia and 15 in New Zealand, with its head office located in Mulgrave, Victoria. Wesfarmers uses the Kmart name under licence from Sears Holdings Corporation.-History:Kmart Australia...
Discount Department Store (7,568m²) - TargetTarget (Australia)Target Australia Pty Ltd is an Australian department store chain owned by Wesfarmers . It operates 172 Target stores and 119 Target Country stores making 291 combined stores with its head office located in North Geelong, Victoria. It sells clothing, cosmetics, toys, homewares, electrical and...
Discount Department Store (8,940m²) - A 18 aisle Woolworths Supermarket (4,246m²)
- A 20 aisle Coles SupermarketColes SupermarketsColes Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741 stores nationally Coles Supermarkets is an Australian supermarket chain owned by Wesfarmers. It has 741...
(5,100m²) - AldiALDIALDI Einkauf GmbH & Co. oHG, doing business as ', short for "Albrecht Discount", is a discount supermarket chain based in Germany...
Supermarket (850m²) - Best and LessBest and LessBest & Less Pty Ltd is an Australian retailer of clothing and household linens.-History:Best & Less was founded by Berel Ginges, and opened its first store in Mascot, New South Wales on 27 May 1965.In April 1998, Best & Less was acquired by Pepkor...
Discount Apparel Store - Apple Store - Electrical Store
- JB Hi-FiJB Hi-FiJB Hi-Fi is an Australian CD, DVD, Blu-ray disc, video game and consumer electronics chain store.-History:JB Hi-Fi was established in Melbourne suburb of Keilor East by John Barbuto in 1974...
Electrical Store - Village CinemasVillage CinemasVillage Cinemas is an Australian cinema chain. Its Australian sites are owned and operated by Village Roadshow-Amalgamated Holdings Limited joint venture Australian Theatres. The group has rebranded several of its premier Australian and New Zealand cinemas as Event Cinemas since 2009. Village...
16 screen cinema multiplex with Gold Class, Cinema Europa and Vmax cinemas
Former stores
- BI-LO SupermarketBI-LOBI-LO is the name of several different supermarket chains around the world:* BI-LO * BI-LO in the southeastern United States* For the Bi-Lo franchise in the northeastern United States, see Penn Traffic...
- Franklins SupermarketFranklinsFranklins is a discount supermarket chain selling packaged groceries and perishables throughout New South Wales, Australia. It owns the No Frills brand of generic products, promoted by their mascot, "Red Sock". It is known as "Australia's Original Discount Grocer"...
- Harvey NormanHarvey NormanHarvey Norman is a large Australian-based retailer of electrical, computer, furniture, entertainment and bedding goods. It is effectively a franchise and the main brand owned by Harvey Norman Holdings Limited...
Electrical Store - Dick Smith ElectronicsDick Smith ElectronicsDick Smith is an international electronics retailer, founded in 1968 by Richard "Dick" Smith. Today, it is a subsidiary of Woolworths Limited, incorporating Tandy, and the remaining Dick Smith Powerhouse Stores...
Powerhouse Electrical Store - Wild Bills Saloon Bar & Night Club
Multiple stores
Like many major shopping centres around Australia, Southland features multiple instances of food outlets within its confines. For example, there are three Gloria Jean'sGloria Jean's
Gloria Jean's Coffees is an Australian owned global specialty coffee company that has opened more than 1,000 coffee houses across 39 markets worldwide, including over 460 in Australia.-History:...
stores and Donut King
Donut King
Donut King is Australia's biggest doughnut franchise, based in Southport, Queensland.-History:The Donut King chain was founded in 1981 in Sydney, and is currently managed, under license, by the Southport-based Retail Food Group Limited...
kiosks and two Muffin Break stores that service separate sections.
There are also two McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
stores and two Specsavers Optometrists.
Southland in film and television
A large number of scenes for the Seven NetworkSeven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
comedy Kath & Kim
Kath & Kim
Kath & Kim is a Logie Award-winning character-driven Australian television situation comedy series. The series was created by, and is written by Jane Turner and Gina Riley who play the title characters: a suburban mother and daughter with a dysfunctional relationship...
are filmed at Southland. In the programme the centre is designated as Fountain Gate
Westfield Fountain Gate
Westfield Fountain Gate is a super regional shopping centre located in Narre Warren in the outer south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Australia...
, where some of the shopping scenes are also filmed.
Buses
Westfield Southland has a major bus interchange located on the corner of Karen Street and Nepean Highway. This bus interchange has 11 Melbourne MetlinkMetlink
Metlink, formerly The Met, is the marketing body and umbrella brand for public train, tram and bus transport operators in Greater Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.-Responsibilities:Metlink is responsible for the promotion of travel by public transport...
routes (600/922/923, 631, 708, 767, 811/812, 821, 822, 823, 825, 827/828).
Trains
Westfield Southland is a fifteen minute walk or a short bus ride from Cheltenham railway station, MelbourneCheltenham railway station, Melbourne
Cheltenham is a railway station in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located in the suburb of Cheltenham on the Frankston railway line. Cheltenham is classed as a Premium Station and is in Metcard Zone 2.-Facilities:...
.
In late November 2010, the Victorian Government promised a railway station to be built at Southland in the next term, to serve the busy shopping centre. The railway station will cost approximately $13-million and it will have two platforms. The station will be a Premium station
Premium station
A premium station is a category of railway station on Melbourne's Metro Rail Network which is operated by Metro Trains Melbourne. In terms of station standards, a premium station is a high standard station which sits above the medium standard host stations and the low standard unmanned...
located on the Frankston line, adjacent to Southland. The project is expected to be completed by 2014. A railway station had been proposed for the retail complex since as early as 1991.
See also
- Cheltenham, VictoriaCheltenham, VictoriaCheltenham is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, located 19 km south-east of Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Kingston to the eastern side of the area's metropolitan railway line and Charman Road north, while the City of Bayside resides over...
- List of shopping centres in Australia
- Proposed Melbourne rail extensions
- Southland railway stationSouthland railway stationSouthland is a long-proposed railway station on the Frankston railway line in the Melbourne suburb of Cheltenham, Victoria.-1880s - 1890s:The first proposal for a railway station between Cheltenham and Highett stations on the Frankston railway line at Bay Road, occurred in the early-1880's, during...
- Westfield Group