Warriewood Square

Warriewood Square is a shopping centre in Warriewood, in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney, New South Wales. The centre serves Warriewood and surrounding suburbs and combines supermarkets, discount department retail, specialty stores, dining, entertainment-related services and large-scale parking. Its principal retail tenants include Kmart, Aldi, Coles, Woolworths, Cotton On, JB Hi-Fi and Rebel. The centre opened on 15 April 1980 with more than 30 stores. Its original retail mix included Kmart, Bi-Lo, Franklins and 62 specialty stores, occupying approximately 17,892 square metres of retail space and supported by about 900 car spaces. The property was initially owned by Bankers Trust Australia. Its development on or near surrounding wetlands later became connected with a prolonged planning and conservation dispute concerning adjoining land and proposed expansion. In March 1996 Centro Properties Group acquired the property from Bankers Trust for $38 million and renamed it Centro Warriewood. Centro subsequently undertook a major redevelopment beginning in July 1999. The project expanded the centre to approximately 21,332 square metres, enlarged the Coles and Franklins Fresh supermarkets, introduced a food court and additional specialty stores, refurbished existing mall areas and improved the car park. Multiplex carried out the construction, which was completed before the 1999 Christmas trading period. After the Franklins supermarket chain was offered for sale in 2001, the Warriewood store was among the outlets acquired by Woolworths. Franklins closed at the site and the supermarket was converted to Woolworths. The centre later became part of the corporate restructuring surrounding Centro Properties Group's financial difficulties and accounting irregularities. Centro was renamed Federation Centres in January 2013, and the centre was subsequently returned to the Warriewood Square name on 8 November 2014. A further redevelopment began in March 2015 under Vicinity Centres. The approximately $84 million project added about 7,500 square metres, created a new multilevel car park, introduced Aldi and new large-format retailers, refreshed Kmart, expanded Woolworths, upgraded the food court and added roughly 35 stores. The completed centre was officially opened on 23 June 2016. The parking expansion provided more than 1,400 additional spaces, and the centre now has approximately 30,277 square metres of floor space and a multilevel car park with about 1,437 spaces. The tenant mix has continued to change. Amart Sports opened as part of the 2016 redevelopment and was rebranded Rebel in October 2017 following Super Retail Group's broader brand transition. JB Hi-Fi opened near Woolworths in November 2018. In July 2024, Industry Superannuation Property Trust offered its 50 percent interest in Warriewood Square for sale. JY Group acquired that interest for $135.5 million in October 2024, while Vicinity Centres retained the other half. The centre is accessible by bus, including B-Line services operated in the area by Keolis Downer Northern Beaches, with services connecting to the Sydney CBD, the Northern Beaches and nearby suburbs. Warriewood has no railway station; the nearest rail access is at Chatswood.

Warriewood Square opened on 15 April 1980 in Warriewood, a suburb of Sydney's Northern Beaches. The original centre contained more than 30 stores, including Kmart, Bi-Lo and Franklins, alongside 62 specialty stores. It provided approximately 17,892 square metres of retail space and around 900 car spaces. Bankers Trust Australia was the original owner. The centre was built on or around wetlands, an aspect that later influenced planning debates over expansion and the use of adjoining land. In October 1990, Bankers Trust placed the centre on the market with an asking price of $33.5 million. Centro Properties Group completed its acquisition on 7 March 1996 for $38 million and changed the centre's name to Centro Warriewood. At the time, a proposed expansion onto adjoining land was associated with a long-running dispute involving the landowner, planning authorities and a conservation group seeking protection of the wetlands. A previous development application for an additional 3,500 square metres had lapsed. Centro began a substantial redevelopment on 5 July 1999. The approximately $20 million project expanded total retail space to 21,332 square metres. Coles was enlarged to approximately 3,600 square metres and Franklins Fresh to approximately 2,197 square metres. The work also added a food court and 25 specialty stores, refurbished existing areas with more natural light and new mall ceilings, and improved the car park with additional shaded parking. Multiplex was the construction contractor, and the project was completed in time for the 1999 Christmas trading season. The supermarket composition changed again in 2001. When Franklins was offered for sale, Woolworths acquired a group of stores that included the Warriewood outlet. The Franklins operation closed and was replaced by Woolworths. During the following decade, Centro Properties Group underwent a major corporate restructuring linked to financial difficulties and accounting irregularities. The company became Federation Centres in January 2013. In February 2013, Federation Centres entered a co-ownership arrangement covering four sub-regional centres with Industry Superannuation Property Trust. Warriewood Square adopted its current name again on 8 November 2014. Vicinity Centres commenced another redevelopment in March 2015. The approximately $84 million project extended the centre by about 7,500 square metres and included a new multilevel car park. The completed scheme added Aldi, Amart Sports and Cotton On Mega, refreshed Kmart, expanded Woolworths, upgraded the food court and introduced approximately 35 new stores. The redevelopment officially opened on 23 June 2016. Amart Sports was later converted to Rebel in October 2017, and JB Hi-Fi opened near Woolworths in November 2018. The centre is reported to contain approximately 30,277 square metres of floor space. Its parking facilities include a multilevel car park with about 1,437 spaces. Bus services connect the centre and nearby roads with the Sydney CBD, the Northern Beaches and surrounding suburbs, including B-Line services. There is no railway station in Warriewood; Chatswood is the nearest station identified in the reference material. Ownership changed again in 2024. Industry Superannuation Property Trust offered its 50 percent interest for sale in July, and JY Group acquired that interest for $135.5 million in October. Vicinity Centres retained the other reported 50 percent interest. Warriewood Square remains an active sub-regional shopping centre serving the Northern Beaches, with a tenant mix centred on supermarkets, value retail, apparel, electronics, sporting goods, food and everyday services.

• 2024

  JY Group purchases ISPT stake

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  JY Group purchased Industry Superannuation Property Trust's 50 percent interest for $135.5 million.

• 2018

  JB Hi-Fi joins the tenant mix

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  JB Hi-Fi opened near Woolworths in November.

• 2017

  Amart Sports rebrands as Rebel

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  The sporting-goods tenant changed from Amart Sports to Rebel.

• 2016

  Redevelopment officially opens

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  The expanded centre opened on 23 June with Aldi, new large-format retailers, upgraded supermarkets and approximately 35 additional stores.

• 2015

  Second major redevelopment begins

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  Vicinity Centres began an approximately $84 million expansion and refurbishment, including a new multilevel car park.

• 2014

  Warriewood Square name restored

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  The centre was rebranded Warriewood Square on 8 November.

• 2013

  Federation Centres co-ownership arrangement

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  Federation Centres entered a co-ownership deal involving four sub-regional centres with Industry Superannuation Property Trust.

• 2001

  Woolworths replaces Franklins

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  The former Franklins supermarket was converted to Woolworths after Woolworths acquired selected Franklins stores.

• 1999

  First major redevelopment

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  A redevelopment expanded retail space, enlarged supermarkets, added dining and specialty retail, and upgraded the mall and car park.

• 1996

  Centro Properties Group acquisition

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  Centro Properties Group acquired the centre for $38 million and renamed it Centro Warriewood.

• 1990

  Property placed on the market

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  Bankers Trust Australia listed the centre for sale with an asking price of $33.5 million.

• 1980

  Warriewood Square opens

  [1]Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org

  The centre opened on 15 April with more than 30 stores, including Kmart, Bi-Lo and Franklins, plus 62 specialty stores.

A convenient Northern Beaches shopping destination combining multiple supermarkets, value-oriented department retail, large-format specialty stores and everyday local services.

• Groceries

  Supermarket precinct

  Warriewood Square's supermarket offer includes Woolworths, Coles and Aldi. Together these stores provide full-line grocery shopping, fresh food, household essentials and value-oriented supermarket options for local residents. Woolworths replaced the former Franklins supermarket after the 2001 sale of selected Franklins stores, while Aldi was introduced during the 2015–2016 redevelopment.

• Discount department store · 1980

  Kmart

  Kmart is one of the centre's longstanding anchor tenants. Its range covers apparel, household goods, toys, leisure products, basic electronics and other general merchandise. The store received a refreshed format as part of the redevelopment completed in 2016.

• Fashion · 2016

  Cotton On Mega

  Cotton On Mega is a large-format fashion store introduced during the 2016 redevelopment. It broadens the centre's apparel offer with casual clothing, accessories and related lifestyle merchandise from the Cotton On group.

• Consumer electronics · 2018

  JB Hi-Fi

  JB Hi-Fi adds a major electronics and entertainment retailer to the centre. Its typical offer includes televisions, computers, mobile and audio equipment, appliances, games, software and related accessories. The Warriewood store opened near Woolworths in November 2018.

• Sporting goods · 2017

  Rebel

  Rebel is the centre's major sporting-goods anchor. It replaced Amart Sports in October 2017 as part of Super Retail Group's brand transition and offers sporting apparel, footwear, equipment and outdoor-related merchandise.

• Food and beverage · 1999

  Food court and dining

  The centre includes a food court and other casual dining and takeaway options. The food court was introduced and subsequently upgraded through the major redevelopment programs, supporting the centre's role as both a grocery destination and an everyday meeting and dining location.

• 2013

  Centro restructuring and accounting irregularities

  Warriewood Square was part of the broader Centro Properties Group portfolio during the group's restructuring, which followed financial difficulties and accounting irregularities. The corporate group was renamed Federation Centres in January 2013; the reference material does not identify a separate allegation directed at the shopping centre itself.

  Source

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• 2024

  Sale of ISPT's ownership interestM&A

  Background

  Industry Superannuation Property Trust offered its 50 percent interest in Warriewood Square for sale.

  Action taken

  JY Group acquired the interest in October 2024.

  Aftermath

  JY Group became a reported 50 percent co-owner, with Vicinity Centres retaining the other reported half.

  Purchase price for 50 percent interest. $135.5 million (October 2024)

  Source

• 2017

  Amart Sports changes to RebelGeneration change

  Background

  Super Retail Group was consolidating its sporting-goods retail identity under the Rebel brand.

  Action taken

  The Amart Sports store at Warriewood Square was rebranded Rebel.

  Aftermath

  The centre retained a major sporting-goods tenant under the Rebel name.

  Source

• 2015

  Vicinity Centres launches expansion and refurbishmentStrategy

  Background

  The centre was repositioned for larger-format retail, stronger supermarket coverage and improved parking capacity.

  Action taken

  Vicinity Centres began an approximately $84 million redevelopment, adding about 7,500 square metres, a multilevel car park, Aldi, large-format stores, an upgraded food court and around 35 new stores.

  Aftermath

  The expanded centre opened on 23 June 2016 and reported approximately 30,277 square metres of floor space after subsequent development.

  Redevelopment cost. $84 million (2015–2016)

  Source

• 1999

  Centro approves major centre redevelopmentOther

  Background

  The centre required additional retail capacity, improved supermarket accommodation and refreshed public areas after its acquisition by Centro Properties Group.

  Action taken

  Centro commenced an approximately $20 million redevelopment that expanded floor space, added a food court and specialty stores, enlarged the supermarkets, refurbished the mall and upgraded parking.

  Aftermath

  The project was completed by late November 1999 ahead of the Christmas trading period.

  Redevelopment cost. $20 million (1999)

  Source

1. 1Warriewood Squareen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Warriewood Square official websitewarriewoodsquare.com.au