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Westpoint

Front of Westpoint Blacktown
Location	Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia
Opening date	1973; 51 years ago (1973)
Developer	W McNamara Pty Ltd
Management	Haben
Owner	Haben and Hines
No. of stores and services	262
No. of anchor tenants	7
Total retail floor area	110,000 square metres (11 ha)
No. of floors	4 (6 levels in car park)
Public transit access	Blacktown
Website	www.westpoint.com.au

Westpoint Blacktown is a large suburban shopping centre situated in Blacktown, Western Sydney, New South Wales. It was first opened in 1973, and then renovated and expanded in 2006, making it one of the biggest shopping centres in Western Sydney.

History

Westpoint Blacktown was built by the Parramatta-based developer W McNamara Pty Ltd, and opened in April 1973 anchored by Grace Bros and Waltons. It was built on formerly residential land slightly west of Blacktown's previous shopping district along Main Street, which declined due to the new competition from Westpoint.

Expansion

A significant eastern expansion of Westpoint commenced in May 2003 and was completed in April 2006. As part of these works, one block of Patrick Street and the former Patrick Mall were closed and built over, and Max Webber library was closed and rebuilt at a new location.

The expansion was commissioned by the then-owner of Westpoint, Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), who contracted Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd (BHPL) to undertake the works. However BHPL and QIC became embroiled in legal proceedings regarding the payment of outstanding progress payments which BHPL claimed were owing to it. This court proceeding delayed construction. In October 2006, QIC terminated the contract with BHPL.

Myer closure

In February 2022, Myer announced its plan to close its department store in Westpoint Blacktown on 3 April of the same year. The company stated the move as a desire to follow its 'Customer First Plan', to downsize and shift more sales online. Myer cited as an example, the decision to close Myer Knox, in Melbourne's east in July 2021. At the time of its closure, Myer was the single largest tenant in Westpoint, occupying multiple floors. Its former floorspace was renovated and replaced with multiple smaller stores.

Sale

In 2024, QIC sold Westpoint for A$900 million to Australian fund manager Haben and United States real estate investor Hines. At the time, it was the largest single property asset in Australia to be traded, and it beat the record for largest single retail asset transaction in Australia previously set by the sale of Indooroopilly Shopping Centre in 2017.

Stores and features

The centre incorporates several key retail outlets: including department stores Big W, Kmart (which is located outside of the centre) and Target as well as supermarket chains Woolworths, Coles and Aldi (replaced Franklins). The refurbishment incorporated an entertainment precinct, which incorporates a Hoyts 10 screen cinema, Zone Bowling alley which also incorporates a Timezone video arcade. Level 4 is primarily made of restaurants and dining options. Major brands which have store here include: JB Hi-Fi, Foot Locker, JD Sports, Cotton On, Adidas Originals, Rebel, TK Maxx, etc. In December 2019 Taco Bell opened in Westpoint Blacktown.

Access

Car park

Westpoint includes a large multi-level car park along its southern side. In 2018, half of the car park was temporarily closed due to issues with structural integrity. Repair work commenced in early 2019 was completed in October 2019 in time for the 2019 Christmas period.

Public transport and taxis

Within Westpoint is an underground bus interchange serviced by several cross-city, local and school bus routes. This interchange was opened in 2006, beneath the section of Patrick Street which Westpoint expanded over. Blacktown railway station is within short walking distance of the main entrance to Westpoint on level three, and is serviced by T1, T5 and Blue Mountains Line services. There is one taxi rank located between Westpoint and the railway station, and another on level four.

• Entrance to the bus terminal
• Bus terminal waiting area
• Signage leading to bus terminal

References

1. ^ "BLACKTOWN CBD: AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE" (PDF). Blacktown City Council. 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 June 2018. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
2. "Project : WESTPOINT SHOPPING CENTRE". Cordell. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
3. "QIC shuts up shop on Baulderstone". BNET. The Australian Financial Review. 11 November 2006. Archived from the original on 14 March 2008. Retrieved 21 June 2007.
4. "Myer to shut down Blacktown store". Business News Australia. 25 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
5. "'Heartbreaking': Myer store in Melbourne's east officially closes after 44 years". 7NEWS. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
6. Wilmot, Ben (8 October 2024). "QIC quits Sydney shopping centre for record $900m". The Australian. p. 15.
7. Transport for NSW. "Westpoint Bus Interchange". transportnsw.info. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
8. Transport for NSW. "Blacktown Station". transportnsw.info. Retrieved 10 October 2024.

• Shopping centres in Sydney
• Shopping malls established in 1973