In 2023, the shopping centre had a turnover of $513 million,[1] up from $395 million in 2006, with approximately 7.2 million customer visits yearly. The trade-area population surrounding the shopping location is about 224,410 and the total retail spending in that area is $2.3 billion.[2][3]
History
Whitford City opened on 21 March 1978 and had an Aherns department store until 1985, one of Western Australia's first Big W discount department stores, a Woolworths supermarket, and 50 specialty stores. The centre cost $16 million and had a floor area of 22,307 square metres (240,110sqft). The centre also had outdoor facilities and a library, and a petrol station was built near the centre shortly after the opening.
In August 2004, Dexus sold a 50% shareholding to Westfield Corporation.[4] In December 2009, Dexus sold its remaining 50% to GIC.[5][6] In September 2024, GIC sold its stake to JY Group.[1]
Whitford City is currently Perth's largest shopping centre without a flagship department store such as Myer or David Jones. The shopping centre has officially been part of the Westfield Group since 2004 and is currently home to over 240 speciality stores. In July 2014, the Westfield Group became two companies (Scentre Group and Westfield Corporation), with ownership and management transferring to Scentre Group.[7]
In 2024, minority owner GIC sold their stake in the centre to JY Group for $195 million, with Scentre Group passing up the opportunity to take full control of the centre.[8]
1989–1990
In 1985, works were approved for a new redevelopment to the centre to increase the size to 39,447 square metres (424,600sqft). This new redevelopment was set to include a relocated Woolworths supermarket, and a new Food Court featuring a McDonald's. The addition of the new food court however, would cause the Aherns department store to be demolished. Since then, Westfield Whitford City has not had a department store such as Myer or David Jones. The redevelopment was completed by 1990.
1991–1993
Shortly after completion of the previous redevelopment, another redevelopment was approved that increased the floor area of the complex to 52,517 square metres (565,290sqft). The new redevelopment included a new Target discount department store, expanded the west side of the mall featuring over 40 specialty stores, and the existing mall was renovated including Big W. In 1993, two new fast food restaurants, a Hungry Jack's and a KFC, were built outside the centre, completing the redevelopment.
1992–1996
In 1992, construction of a six screen cinema complex was approved. The redevelopment was completed in 1996 which included a Greater Union Cinemas, an Intencity arcade and a Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon. The Greater Union occupied the second floor beside the Food Court.
2001–2004
In 2001, redevelopment was approved that increased the floor area of the centre to 76,463 square metres (823,040sqft). The $80 million redevelopment included the following.
A new outdoor dining area named the "Piazza" with featured a view onto Whitfords Avenue.
Upon completion of the redevelopment, Greater Union sold their cinema in the centre to Grand Cinemas in 2004, and Whitford City was sold to Westfield which rebranded the centre to Westfield Whitford City and overhauled signage and entrances.
2016–2017
On 8 July 2016 Scentre Group announced an $80 million redevelopment that focused on the outdoor Piazza and included the following.
A complete demolishing of the existing Piazza and cinema complex.
A new 8-screen Event Cinemas complex featuring two "V-Max" and "Gold Class" screens.
12 new dining restaurants including the first micro-brewery in Western Australia, The Whitfords Brewing Company.
A new iPlay located in the basement floor featuring an arcade and bowling alley.
A relocated Rebel near the Food Court.
An overhauled Fresh Food Market with a renovated Woolworths supermarket.
The redevelopment opened on 20 September 2017, increasing the floor area of the complex to 84,759 square metres (912,340sqft), making it the third largest shopping centre in the northern side of Perth, behind Lakeside Joondalup and Karrinyup Shopping Centre.
Transport
The centre is bounded by the major roads of Marmion Avenue and Whitfords Avenue in Hillarys. Multiple Transperth bus routes service the centre. 441, 460, 461 and 462 run along Whitfords Ave, while 442 runs along Marmion Ave on the eastern side of the precinct. All routes connect to Whitfords railway station and Joondalup railway station.[9][10]
Future
This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(August 2025)
The centre has development approval for about 90 apartments and an office block, however no development has begun yet.
Provisions for an expanded centre, including a David Jones Major, has been in development for multiple years, with no set construction date.[11]
Gallery
The sign of Westfield Whitford City.
The interior of Westfield Whitford City in 2006, where the former Target discount-department store is at the end.
The food court in Westfield Whitford City which has been extensively renovated since.
The exterior of the original centre built in 1978, which has been extensively remodeled since.
The former outdoor dining piazza built in 2004 which was recently demolished to make way for a new one.
A north-east view of the centre, showing the old BigW department store.
The former Action Supermarket. Since the closure it became a Progressive Supa IGA, and is currently a Coles supermarket.
An entrance to Westfield Whitford City, which was added shortly after Westfield purchased the centre.
Another entrance to the centre, near Commonwealth Bank.
The entrance to the BigW department store, which has stood in the centre since the opening.
The entrance to the Woolworths supermarket in the Fresh Food Market. Since then, the Woolworths and surrounding area has been refurbished.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
The sign of Westfield Whitford City.
The interior of Westfield Whitford City in 2006, where the former Target discount-department store is at the end.
The food court in Westfield Whitford City which has been extensively renovated since.
The exterior of the original centre built in 1978, which has been extensively remodeled since.
The former outdoor dining piazza built in 2004 which was recently demolished to make way for a new one.
A north-east view of the centre, showing the old Big W department store.
The former Action Supermarket. Since the closure it became a Progressive Supa IGA, and is currently a Coles supermarket.
An entrance to Westfield Whitford City, which was added shortly after Westfield purchased the centre.
Another entrance to the centre, near Commonwealth Bank.
The entrance to the Big W department store, which has stood in the centre since the opening.
The entrance to the Woolworths supermarket in the Fresh Food Market. Since then, the Woolworths and surrounding area has been refurbished.
