Northland Shopping Centre

History

Opening in 1966, Northland Shopping Centre was one of the first self-contained shopping centres in Melbourne. The shopping centre was built and owned by the Myer Emporium. The original shopping centre consisted of 3 malls radiating north, east and west from a centre stage area. It housed 73 tenants and 6 professional suites. Some of the original retailers included Myer, Coles New World Supermarket, Buckley and Nunn Department Store, McEwans, Woolworths Variety Store and Coles Variety Store. A feature of the shopping centre was the Northland Market located at the south-west end of the shopping centre.

In July 1983, the Myer Emporium sold the shopping centre to the Gandel Group of Companies. It is currently owned 50:50 by GPT and Novion Property Group.

1st Redevelopment

Consisting principally of an extension to decide to the North Mall, was completed in December 1984, increasing the number of tenants to 99, with 6 professional suites. Super K-Mart (Hypermarket) and North Court added. The Super K-Mart was the first to be included in a region east of Australia.

2nd Redevelopment

Completed in October 1985, this extension was principally the extension of the pre-existing East Mall. It increased the number of tenants to 128. Fosseys, Franklins and East Court were added.

3rd Redevelopment

Completed in February 1986, increased the number of tenants by 13 to 141. This was principally the extension of the West Mall and included the addition of the West Court and retailers including McEwans and Toyworld.

4th Redevelopment

Completed in December 1987, this was one of the biggest extensions increasing the number of tenants to 170 tenants and the number of professional suites to 7. It includes the addition of a new Food Court and the construction of the Hoyts cinema complex, the new Myer facade and the first multi-level car park at Northland.

5th Redevelopment

Total 'Fresh Food Story' constructed at the end of the North Mall.

6th Redevelopment

Addition of 13 retailers including Toys R Us and 14 specialties. Glazing of the mall was also included.

7th Redevelopment

The development of a fully integrated lifestyle, leisure and entertainment precinct adding more than 9,000 square metres to the centre. The development included a complete refurbishment and extension of the food court with increased seating capacity from 550 seats to 750 seats. The extension of Hoyts 8 to Hoyts 14 with the feature 'Superscreen' standing 20 metres wide and 10 metres high. It added a number of leading retailers including Rebel Sport, HMV, Playtime, Nature's World and The ABC Shop, to name a few.

8th Redevelopment

The 8th Redevelopment added an outdoor area to the Entertainment Precinct fronting Murray Road containing cafes and eateries as well as a Fitness Centre.

9th Redevelopment

A new fresh food mall including 30 shops and a new Coles opened near the Woolworths area. New signs were installed on the Murray Road and rear entrances, reflecting a modern feel. The rear car park near Kmart and the fresh food precinct was redeveloped adding another level to the existing two level car park. The Murray Road car park was redeveloped which now has 400 spaces, the opening of 1st Choice Liquor was also included. The relocation of the Kmart Automotive also took place, relocating it from behind the Kmart Department Store to near the entertainment plaza. Woolworths and Coles both received a refurbishment.

10th Redevelopment (commenced-completion late 2009 )

40 stores opened in the new fashion mall on 24 October 2009. Well known stores such as Lonsdale, Octane, Bossini, Forever New, Temt, T Bar and Ice Design were included in this opening. Over 30 new stores opened on 24 November with the new Target and relocated Best & Less. JB HIFI opened next to the relocated Toys R Us. With the new mall portion complete, Northland now consists of over 330 stores.

11th Redevelopment (commencing early 2009)

This will see a change to the car-parking system the multilevel carpark will span across the whole front of the centre opposite Bunnings Warehouse.

12th Redevelopment

A new Entertainment & Lifestyle precinct opened in late 2013 next to the current entertainment precinct. This introduced a Goodlife Health Club and new restaurants such as Grill’d and Papparich.

13th Redevelopment

The Fresh Food Mall will be upgraded and extended to connect with the north west multi-deck car park and a new Aldi will be opened there. The move also relocates the bus interchange to the front of the shopping centre next to First Choice.

Tenants

Northland Shopping Centre has a total annual turnover of over A$387 million. It is surrounded by over 4,235 car parking spaces and has a major public transport interchange for the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

It contains a diverse mix of major international brands and local stores. Major tenants include Myer (4 floors), Kmart Australia, Target Australia, Coles Supermarket, Woolworths (supermarket), Toys R Us, Lincraft, Best & Less, Pancake Parlour, Nandos, and a Hoyts Cinema Complex featuring 14 theatres (of which 3 are Cinemaxx with stadium seating). There are many clothing stores within the centre, including Country Road, Esprit, Just Jeans, Colorado, and Sportsgirl.

Other stores include Vodafone, Optus, Telstra Shop, Supre, Roger David, Hairhouse Warehouse, Shaver Shop, The Reject Shop, Priceline, EB Games, Flight Centre and House. The centre is also home to the Beach House Health and Fitness Centre located near the cinemas.

The centre has branches of Australia Post, Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, ANZ Bank, Credit Union Australia and RACV. There is a bingo club accessible from outside the centre.

Northland is also notable for only having one floor throughout most of the centre. Myer is four floors and Lincraft and Hoyts are on contained lower and upper floors respectively. All of Northland's specialty stores and chains are located on the ground floor.

Entertainment

Hoyts Cinema - 14 screens

Public transport

Northland is a major public transport hub for the East Preston region. 10 different bus routes travel through or terminate at Northland. Northland Shopping Centre is now serviced by the new Red Orbital SmartBus Route running from Mordialloc to Altona. It also serves to and from La Trobe University. The Darebin Creek Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail runs north south on its east side.

Northland in Film and Television

Northland Shopping Centre is currently being filmed in community television shows on C31 Melbourne digital.

Legionnaires Scare

In early 2006 Northland shopping centre was one of 7 buildings suspected of harbouring legionnaires disease after an outbreak which killed one and infected 7 others in the area. Subsequent investigation by the Coroner - Dr Jane Hendtlass (Case No 729/06) confirmed that alleged buildings nearby did not contain the disease