Erina Fair

Erina Fair is a large shopping centre in Erina, New South Wales, serving the Central Coast of Australia. It opened on 24 August 1987 as Central Coast Fair and was developed by Grace Bros on a substantial site near Karalta Road. The original centre was designed as a predominantly single-level retail complex and was promoted as the largest single-level shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. It immediately became a significant regional destination: approximately 51,000 people attended its opening, and its initial tenant mix combined department-store, discount, supermarket, general merchandise and specialty retail. The opening lineup included Grace Bros, Big W, Target, Franklins, Woolworths and about 95 specialty stores. The centre has expanded through several major redevelopment phases. A second stage completed in 1994 involved an investment reported at approximately A$85 million. It enlarged the centre, added car-parking capacity and introduced features including a naturally lit boardwalk and a new eating area. In 1995, a bulky-goods precinct broadened the offer beyond conventional mall retail with retailers such as JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Toys "R" Us. The following year brought Intencity and the Hoyts cinema complex, built near the site of a former drive-in cinema that had operated from 1958 until 1985. A much larger third-stage redevelopment took place over two years and was completed in 2003. Reported at approximately A$200 million, it added the Corner precinct, a Coles supermarket, Harris Farm Markets, Kmart, Cotton On, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel Sport, additional specialty shops, a restaurant area, a health and fitness club and a new food court called The Atrium, whose design referenced the history of the Central Coast. The Hive added community-oriented facilities, including a library, community hall and youth recreation space. Erina Ice Arena also opened during this development. The Olympic-sized rink includes a 60-by-30-metre ice sheet, spectator seating and spaces for events and functions, and has been associated with the Central Coast Rhinos, the Central Coast Figure Skating Club and the Central Coast Ice Speed Skating Club. Erina Fair has continued to adjust its tenant mix as Australian retail patterns changed. Franklins left the centre in 2005 and was replaced by Aldi. Target operated at the centre for more than three decades before closing on 7 May 2022. Its former space was selected for a reported A$5.1 million redevelopment intended to introduce Decathlon and other new retailers, together with façade, entrance and rooftop mechanical-deck changes. The project also involved removing 16 rooftop parking spaces. The centre has approximately 113,643 square metres of floor space and offers a broad combination of department stores, supermarkets, apparel, electronics, home and bulky-goods retail, entertainment, food, fitness and community services. Major or notable tenants identified in reference material include Myer, Big W, Kmart, Aldi, Coles, Harris Farm Markets, Woolworths, Cotton On, H&M, Uniqlo, JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys, Rebel, Intencity, Hoyts and Erina Ice Arena. It has 4,528 parking spaces and is connected by bus services to towns and suburbs across the Central Coast, including Gosford, Terrigal, Woy Woy, Wyong, The Entrance, Ettalong Beach and surrounding communities. Ownership has included institutional investment: in 2013, GPT Group sold its 50 percent interest to South Korea's National Pension Service. The current ownership structure is not specified in the available material.

Erina Fair began trading as Central Coast Fair on 24 August 1987. Grace Bros developed the centre on land it already controlled near Karalta Road, supplemented by additional land associated with a former drive-in site. The original complex was a large, single-level shopping centre with roughly 95 specialty stores and anchor tenants including Grace Bros, Big W, Target, Franklins and Woolworths. Its scale made it a major retail destination for the Central Coast and led to descriptions of it as the largest single-level shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere. Opening day attracted about 51,000 shoppers, with heavily promoted specials creating unusually strong early demand at some stores. The centre's second development stage was completed in 1994 at a reported cost of approximately A$85 million. The work expanded the floor area by at least 10 percent, extended car parking and introduced a naturally lit boardwalk and additional food and dining space. A bulky-goods precinct followed in 1995, adding retailers such as JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Toys "R" Us. In 1996, the entertainment offer expanded with Intencity and a Hoyts cinema complex. These additions helped shift Erina Fair from a conventional enclosed retail centre toward a broader shopping, dining and leisure destination. The most substantial expansion was stage three, a two-year redevelopment completed in 2003 and reported at approximately A$200 million. It added the Corner precinct, Coles, Harris Farm Markets, Kmart, Cotton On, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel Sport and further specialty retail. The project also created a restaurant precinct, a health and fitness club and The Atrium food court, whose Central Coast historical theme gave the dining area a distinct local identity. The Hive introduced community services and facilities, including a library, community hall and youth recreation space. Erina Ice Arena opened as part of this development, providing an Olympic-sized indoor rink and facilities for ice hockey, figure skating, speed skating, parties and other events. The venue became associated with the Central Coast Rhinos and local skating clubs. Tenant changes have reflected broader shifts in Australian retail. Franklins departed in 2005 and its space was replaced by Aldi. In 2013, GPT Group sold its 50 percent shareholding in the centre to South Korea's National Pension Service, although the available reference material does not identify the full current ownership structure. Erina Ice Arena closed in August 2019 for renovation and the removal of hazardous external cladding, reopening in January 2021. Target closed its Erina Fair store on 7 May 2022 after more than 30 years at the centre. The former Target tenancy became part of a reported A$5.1 million redevelopment plan featuring a Decathlon sports store and other new retailers. The project also proposed façade modifications, a new entry, a rooftop mechanical deck and the removal of 16 parking spaces on the rooftop level. With approximately 113,643 square metres of floor space, 4,528 parking spaces, major supermarkets and department stores, specialty retail, entertainment venues, community facilities and extensive bus links, Erina Fair remains a major regional centre for the Central Coast.

• 2022

  Target tenancy redevelopment announced

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  Target closed on 7 May, with its former space earmarked for a reported A$5.1 million redevelopment including Decathlon and other new stores.

• 2021

  Ice arena reopens

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  The arena reopened on 2 January following renovation work.

• 2019

  Ice arena closes for renovation

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  Erina Ice Arena shut temporarily for renovation and external-cladding removal.

• 2013

  GPT Group sells a 50 percent interest

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  GPT Group sold its half shareholding in Erina Fair to South Korea's National Pension Service.

• 2005

  Franklins is replaced by Aldi

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  The Franklins supermarket tenancy ended and was replaced by Aldi.

• 2003

  Third-stage redevelopment completed

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  A reported A$200 million redevelopment added The Corner, new anchors, The Atrium, The Hive, dining, fitness and Erina Ice Arena.

• 1996

  Cinema and arcade entertainment expands

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  Intencity and a Hoyts cinema complex opened near the former drive-in site.

• 1995

  Bulky-goods precinct opens

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  The centre added major bulky-goods and electronics retailers, including JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys and Toys "R" Us.

• 1994

  Second-stage redevelopment completed

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  A reported A$85 million expansion added floor space, parking, a boardwalk and further dining facilities.

• 1987

  Central Coast Fair opens

  [1]Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org

  The centre opened on 24 August 1987 with major department-store, discount, supermarket and specialty-retail tenants.

A comprehensive regional shopping and entertainment destination for the Central Coast, combining major retail anchors, supermarkets, specialty stores, dining, cinema, ice sports, leisure and community facilities in a large single-level centre.

• Retail anchors · 1987

  Department stores and general merchandise

  Erina Fair's anchor offer has historically included Grace Bros, Myer, Big W, Target and Kmart. These stores provide broad merchandise categories such as apparel, household goods, electronics, toys, seasonal products and general consumer merchandise, helping the centre attract customers beyond individual specialty shops.

• Grocery retail · 1987

  Supermarkets and fresh food

  The centre combines full-line supermarkets and specialist grocery retailers. Its documented tenant mix includes Woolworths, Coles, Aldi and Harris Farm Markets, covering everyday groceries, fresh produce and complementary food purchases for surrounding Central Coast communities.

• Apparel and specialty stores · 1987

  Fashion and specialty retail

  Fashion and specialty retail form a substantial part of the centre's offer, with documented tenants including Cotton On, H&M and Uniqlo alongside numerous smaller specialty stores. The category supports both routine shopping and destination visits within the centre's large regional format.

• Entertainment · 1996

  Entertainment and leisure

  Erina Fair extends beyond shopping through Hoyts Cinema, Intencity and Erina Ice Arena. The ice arena has an Olympic-sized rink, spectator seating and function spaces and supports local ice hockey and skating organizations.

• Food, services and community facilities · 2003

  Community and dining facilities

  The Atrium food court, restaurant precinct and The Hive community facilities add food, public-service and recreation functions. The Hive includes a library, community hall and youth recreation centre, giving the complex a role beyond conventional retail.

• 2022

  Redevelop the former Target tenancyStrategy

  Background

  Target closed its Erina Fair store on 7 May 2022 after more than 30 years, creating a large vacant tenancy and an opportunity to refresh the centre's retail mix.

  Action taken

  The centre planned a reported A$5.1 million redevelopment featuring Decathlon and other stores, façade changes, a new entry, a rooftop mechanical deck and removal of 16 rooftop parking spaces.

  Aftermath

  The plan was intended to modernize the former Target area and introduce a large sports-focused retailer, but the available material does not document the final completion outcome.

  Reported redevelopment cost. A$5.1 million (2022)

  Source

• 2003

  Complete the third-stage redevelopmentStrategy

  Background

  Erina Fair sought to broaden its regional role by combining retail anchors with food, leisure, health, fitness and community uses.

  Action taken

  A reported A$200 million redevelopment added The Corner precinct, supermarkets, department and specialty retail, The Atrium, restaurants, a fitness club, The Hive and Erina Ice Arena.

  Aftermath

  The project significantly expanded the centre's retail and non-retail offer and reinforced its position as a Central Coast destination.

  Reported redevelopment cost. A$200 million (2003)

  Source

• 1994

  Proceed with second-stage expansionStrategy

  Background

  The original centre was designed for further growth, and a second development phase was undertaken to increase retail capacity and improve dining and parking infrastructure.

  Action taken

  Erina Fair completed a reported A$85 million expansion that added floor space, a naturally lit boardwalk, an eating area and car-park extensions.

  Aftermath

  The expansion strengthened the centre's position as a large regional shopping destination.

  Reported redevelopment cost. A$85 million (1994)

  Source

1. 1Erina Fairen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Erina Fair official websiteerinafair.com.au