Eastland Shopping Centre

Eastland Shopping Centre is a large enclosed shopping, dining, entertainment and services complex in Ringwood, Victoria, approximately 25 kilometres east of central Melbourne. It occupies a prominent location beside Maroondah Highway, Ringwood railway station and a major bus interchange, making it both a regional retail destination and an important public-transport-linked activity centre for Melbourne's eastern suburbs. It is the largest shopping centre in the City of Maroondah and is described in reference material as one of Australia's largest shopping centres. The centre opened on 31 October 1967 as one of Victoria's earliest purpose-built indoor shopping centres. Its development was associated with Myer's plans for large suburban shopping complexes, alongside Northland and Southland. The original centre was built on a former public park and sportsground under a long lease from Ringwood City Council. The project required substantial changes to the surrounding urban fabric, including the acquisition of private properties, the relocation of Ringwood's clock tower and the construction of new roads and parking. Supporters expected the complex to bring investment and visitors to Ringwood, while opponents raised concerns about congestion and the effect of redevelopment on established properties and local character. The first Eastland opened with Myer and Safeway as anchor tenants, around 40 specialty stores and approximately 1,250 car spaces. A 1973 expansion added further floors and parking. The centre was comprehensively redeveloped between 1993 and 1995. Most of the original complex was demolished, while the four-storey Myer building was refurbished. The resulting centre opened in stages and reached approximately 53,300 square metres, with Myer, Woolworths and Kmart as major retailers and about 170 specialty stores. QIC acquired Coles Myer's 50 percent interest in December 1996, and subsequently became the principal organisation associated with the centre's ownership and development. A further expansion announced in 2001 added a Hoyts 12-screen cinema, restaurants, additional retail space and parking. The cinema opened on Boxing Day 2002, and the project added roughly 50 specialty stores. The largest modernisation was the 2013-2016 redevelopment. Publicly unveiled by QIC in October 2013, the project was valued at approximately A$665 million in the cited reference material and increased the centre's retail area from about 80,000 to 113,000 square metres. The works added a southern precinct linked to Maroondah Highway, new retail and dining areas, an outdoor public square, a new public library and space for office and hotel development. The first stage opened in October 2015 and the second stage on 5 May 2016. The wider precinct has since included a hotel, office accommodation, extensive dining and entertainment uses, and a large retail offering. Eastland's tenant mix spans department stores, discount department stores, supermarkets, fashion, electronics, sporting goods, homewares, food and beverage, cinema and community services. Major and formerly major tenants identified in reference material include Myer, H&M, Uniqlo, Target, Kmart, Big W, Harris Scarfe, Cotton On, Woolworths, Coles, Rebel Sport, JB Hi-Fi and TK Maxx. The centre also includes a Hoyts cinema complex, a public library, a hotel with approximately 120 rooms and an outdoor dining precinct. The adjacent former Ringwood Market site was redeveloped separately, including a Costco warehouse that opened in 2013, while later precinct development included a second office tower opened in 2024. The centre has undergone continuing tenant and precinct changes. David Jones closed its Eastland store in January 2024, and H&M was reported as relocating into the former David Jones premises in December 2024. Reference material also identifies a planned Rebel Sport relocation into a large Rebel RCX format store and a planned TK Maxx opening in 2026. These changes reflect Eastland's ongoing repositioning toward larger-format retail, food and beverage, entertainment, services and mixed-use urban development rather than a purely traditional enclosed mall model.

Eastland was conceived during a period when Melbourne's suburban retail geography was shifting from traditional strip shopping toward large, planned shopping complexes. Myer identified Ringwood as one of three Melbourne locations for major indoor centres, together with Northland in Preston and Southland in Cheltenham. Ringwood City Council accepted the tender of Eastland Shopping Centre Pty Ltd on 1 February 1966, granting a 30-year lease over land that had included a public park and sportsground. The project also involved compulsory acquisition of nearby private properties, including houses, shops and a private hospital. A legal challenge by affected landowners was unsuccessful. The use of compulsory acquisition powers by a Victorian local government in this context was historically notable. Construction of the original two-level enclosed centre began in July 1966. The project altered Ringwood's roads, parking arrangements and built environment. The local clock tower was moved from the intersection of Main Street and Warrandyte Road to accommodate the new road and parking layout, where it remains near Maroondah Highway. Eastland opened on 31 October 1967 with Myer and Safeway as principal anchors, approximately 40 specialty stores and around 1,250 parking spaces. The centre was built on a site of roughly 5.67 hectares and was reported to have cost A$13 million at the time. A minor expansion in 1973 added two storeys and further parking after additional nearby houses were removed. By the early 1990s, the original centre required a much more comprehensive overhaul. A redevelopment valued at approximately A$120 million was announced in 1993. Most of the existing centre was demolished, although the four-storey Myer building was retained and refurbished. Eastland closed in March 1994 while the work proceeded through multiple stages. The redeveloped centre was relaunched in May 1995 at approximately 53,300 square metres, with Myer, Woolworths and Kmart as major tenants and about 170 specialty retailers. QIC purchased Coles Myer's 50 percent interest in December 1996. This transaction established QIC as the key organisation associated with Eastland's ownership and long-term development. In 2001, QIC announced another expansion, adding a Hoyts cinema complex, restaurants, a Big W store and a proposed Bi-Lo food format. The food tenant ultimately opened as a regular Bi-Lo rather than the proposed Mega Fresh concept. The cinema opened on Boxing Day 2002, and the expansion added approximately 25,000 square metres and around 50 specialty stores while increasing parking to nearly 4,900 spaces. Further expansion plans were developed in the mid-2000s but were delayed after the 2008 global financial crisis. Enabling works began in 2012, including changes to the eastern multilevel car park and relocation of a Kmart Tyre & Auto facility. QIC publicly unveiled the main redevelopment plan on 28 October 2013. The project, reported at approximately A$665 million, expanded retail space from about 80,000 to 113,000 square metres. It added three storeys connecting the southern part of the centre with Maroondah Highway, a new entrance to the third level of Myer, an outdoor public square, food and beverage venues and a public library. Office and hotel towers were also planned beside the new precinct, together with additional retail uses. The first stage opened in October 2015 and the second on 5 May 2016. The adjacent Ringwood Market site formed part of the wider precinct's development story. After the market was demolished in 2009, the site was considered for large-format retailers including Costco, IKEA and Masters Home Improvement. Costco was confirmed, construction began in 2012 and the warehouse opened on 20 November 2013. A proposed underground connection between Costco and Eastland was not built. A second office tower on Bond Street opened in 2024. Eastland's current identity is that of a multi-use regional centre rather than simply a conventional mall. Its facilities include retail on multiple levels, a cinema, restaurants, outdoor dining, a public library, a hotel and office accommodation. The centre is integrated with rail, bus and major road infrastructure and remains a significant commercial focus for Melbourne's east. Tenant changes have continued as the retail market has evolved. David Jones closed in January 2024, H&M was reported to have moved into the former department-store premises in December 2024, and reference material identifies planned future changes involving a large Rebel Sport RCX store and TK Maxx.

• 2024

  Mixed-use precinct continues to expand

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  A second Bond Street office tower opened, while major tenant changes reshaped parts of the shopping centre.

• 2016

  Second redevelopment stage opens

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The second stage opened on 5 May, completing the principal 2013-2016 expansion.

• 2015

  First redevelopment stage opens

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The first stage of the major redevelopment opened in October.

• 2013

  Large-scale redevelopment announced

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  QIC unveiled plans for a redevelopment that would substantially increase retail space and add public, dining, hotel and office components.

• 2002

  Hoyts cinema opens

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  A 12-screen Hoyts cinema and associated expansion opened, adding entertainment, dining and retail capacity.

• 1995

  Major redevelopment relaunches

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  After a redevelopment and staged reopening, Eastland relaunched with approximately 53,300 square metres and about 170 specialty stores.

• 1973

  Early expansion

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Additional storeys and parking were built as part of a minor expansion.

• 1967

  Eastland opens

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  The original enclosed centre opened on 31 October with Myer, Safeway and approximately 40 specialty stores.

• 1966

  Tender accepted and construction begins

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Ringwood City Council accepted the Eastland Shopping Centre Pty Ltd tender on 1 February, and construction began in July.

• 1960

  Myer identifies Ringwood for a planned indoor shopping centre

  [1]Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org

  Ringwood was selected as one of three Melbourne locations for large indoor shopping centres planned by Myer.

A major suburban regional shopping and lifestyle centre combining retail, dining, entertainment, transport access, community services and mixed-use development.

• Shopping centre retail · 1967

  Retail and specialty-store precinct

  Eastland's core offering is a large multi-level retail precinct containing fashion, department stores, discount department stores, electronics, sporting goods, beauty, homewares and everyday services. The tenant mix has included national chains such as Myer, H&M, Uniqlo, Target, Kmart, Big W, Harris Scarfe, Cotton On, Rebel Sport and JB Hi-Fi.

• Grocery retail · 1967

  Supermarket and grocery offering

  Supermarket anchors have been central to Eastland's role as a broad-based suburban destination. Safeway anchored the original centre, while later configurations included Woolworths, Coles and other food-related retail formats.

• Entertainment · 2002

  Hoyts cinema complex

  The centre's entertainment offer includes a Hoyts 12-screen cinema complex located on an upper level alongside restaurants and dining uses. It was introduced through the early-2000s expansion and opened on Boxing Day 2002.

• Food and beverage · 2015

  Dining and public-space precinct

  Eastland includes restaurants, food and beverage outlets and an outdoor dining precinct. The 2013-2016 redevelopment added a public square intended to strengthen the centre's role as a social and lifestyle destination beyond conventional enclosed retail.

• Mixed-use property · 2016

  Community and mixed-use services

  The wider Eastland complex includes a public library, a hotel with approximately 120 rooms and office towers. These uses complement retail and dining while contributing to the centre's role as a mixed-use activity centre connected to Ringwood's rail and bus network.

• 1975AC/DC High Voltage tour performance

  Australia

  AC/DC performed at Eastland in September 1975 during the Australian leg of its High Voltage tour, giving the shopping centre a notable place in local popular-culture history.

  Outcome. The performance is remembered as part of Eastland's cultural legacy.

  Source

• 2024

  Reconfigure major retail tenanciesOther

  Background

  The closure of David Jones created a large vacant department-store premises within the centre.

  Action taken

  David Jones closed in January, and H&M was reported to have relocated into the former David Jones space in December.

  Aftermath

  The tenant reshuffle continued Eastland's repositioning toward larger-format and experience-led retail.

  Source

• 2013

  Launch major mixed-use redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Earlier plans had been delayed following the 2008 financial crisis, but enabling works resumed in 2012.

  Action taken

  QIC announced a redevelopment adding retail space, a southern connection to Maroondah Highway, a public square, dining, a library and proposed hotel and office towers.

  Aftermath

  The staged project opened in 2015 and 2016 and increased retail space to approximately 113,000 square metres.

  Redevelopment cost. A$665 million (2013 announcement)

  Source

• 2001

  Expand into entertainment and larger-format retailStrategy

  Background

  Eastland sought to increase its scale and broaden its appeal beyond conventional specialty retail.

  Action taken

  Plans were announced for a 12-screen cinema, restaurants, Big W, a proposed Bi-Lo Mega Fresh format and additional specialty stores.

  Aftermath

  The cinema opened in 2002; a regular Bi-Lo store opened instead of the proposed Mega Fresh format, and the expansion added approximately 25,000 square metres.

  Source

• 1993

  Approve comprehensive centre redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  The original 1967 complex was approaching the limits of its earlier format and required modernisation and additional retail capacity.

  Action taken

  A redevelopment valued at approximately A$120 million was undertaken, with most of the centre demolished and the Myer building refurbished.

  Aftermath

  The centre reopened in stages and reached approximately 53,300 square metres with around 170 specialty stores.

  Redevelopment cost. A$120 million (1993 announcement)

  Source

1. 1Eastland Shopping Centreen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Eastland official websiteeastland.qicre.com