Westfield Woden’s original built footprint is still defined by the areas now occupied by Big W and David Jones, an unusual degree of structural continuity for a centre opened in September 1972, developed by Lendlease and opened by Prime Minister William McMahon.
Coles and Woolworths anchor grocery from a Fresh Food Market wing added in a 1996 redevelopment, which also introduced an 8-screen Hoyts cinema. JB Hi-Fi and EB Games hold the electronics positions, and Angus & Coote and Goldmark cover jewellery.
The specialty register stays mid-market through Country Road, Decjuba and Blue Illusion, with L’OCCITANE EN PROVENCE in beauty and Endota Spa in services. Bakers Delight, Betty’s Burgers and Grill’d anchor a family-oriented food and beverage floor.
Ownership has consolidated over time: Westfield acquired a 50 percent stake in 2005, while GPT retained the other half, and the Perron Group acquired GPT’s interest in 2015. For a brand assessing Canberra’s south, Woden’s five-decade stability of the original anchor footprint is the clearest evidence of how durable the original department-store format has proven in this catchment.
