Box Hill Central

Background

The rapid expansion of Melbourne's suburbs following the Second World War caused significant population increases in the eastern parts of the metropolitan area. Box Hill, previously a separate town, became more connected to the rest of the city and grew in importance as a regional centre.^[9]

Following the opening of the Forest Hill Chase shopping centre in 1964, the Box Hill City Council and existing businessowners in Box Hill became worried about the competition this would bring. A spate of further centralised shopping centres built in nearby Ringwood and Doncaster only heightened their concerns and accelerated plans for Box Hill to develop its own retail hub.^[10] An old timber yard in Clisby Street had been identified as a possible site for a large-scale development in 1961 which now became the focal point for a new shopping centre.^[10]

Opening - north

Following many years of planning, tenders were called for a new centre in 1973 for a new multi-storey carpark and shopping centre. In November 1974 it opened as Whitehorse Plaza, a three-level regional shopping centre, at a cost of $3.5 million.^[10][11] it housed anchor tenants such as Coles, Kmart, and Venture, larger tenants like Sussans, Williams The Shoeman, Priceline, Lincraft, and Medicare, along with other assorted retailers, eateries, and services. This is the section today known as Box Hill Central North.

Opening - south

Box Hill Central South was originally constructed in the early 1980s, when the old Box Hill railway station and level crossing was removed, and Market and Main Streets were closed to traffic.^[12] Box Hill Central opened in 1987, as a single-level regional shopping centre. It housed anchor tenants Target and Woolworths.^{[citation needed]}

First redevelopment - south (1998-2000)

The shopping centre was reconstructed in 1998 and in 2000 and acquired by Centro Properties, who renamed it to Centro Box Hill South, though many still referred to it as Box Hill Central.^{[citation needed]}

First redevelopment - north (2000-2003)

Due to a lack of tenants, Whitehorse Plaza closed in 2000 before undergoing a complete refurbishment. All tenancies within the centre were demolished, the development's layout and car parks were reconfigured, and there was major refurbishment of external and internal facades. Named Whitehorse City before opening, the centre was reopened on 1 July 2003 by Centro Properties as Centro Whitehorse, a two-level regional shopping centre, featuring anchor tenants Coles and Best & Less.

Second redevelopment - north (2007)

In 2007, Centro Whitehorse was rebranded to Centro Box Hill North and partially redeveloped, with Best & Less closing down and being replaced by a Harris Scarfe location.

On 2 February 2020, Harris Scarfe closed its store at Box Hill, as part of its restructure and reduction in store locations. The location was leased to Dimmeys. The Coles supermarket closed in August 2022 and relocated to Box Hill Central South.^[13]

Second redevelopment - south (2010)

In 2010, the shopping centre was again refurbished, with Target being replaced by Big W, and Woolworths being renovated and reopened.^{[citation needed]}

Rebranding and consolidation (2013)

In 2013, both centres were again rebranded as Box Hill Central South and Box Hill Central North as a result of an organisation-wide rebranding of all centres owned by Federation Limited.^{[citation needed]}

Third redevelopment and masterplan (2021-onwards)

In 2020 Vicinity Centres released a masterplan planning significant changes to both the north and south sections of the centre. It outlined plans to move retail activity to the south side of the site, construct additional office and residential towers, and provide new open space. Upon completion, it is planned to cover over 250,000 m² (2,700,000 sq ft) of residential, office and retail area.^[8][14][15]

The first stage of the ten year masterplan commenced in July 2021 and was completed in August 2022. This added a new entrance to Box Hill Central South to the south from Carrington Road and rebuilt the south-western corner of the site to a new design and with additional retail space.^[16] A new Coles supermarket replaced the former Big W.^[17]

Box Hill Central North

This older and largest section of the complex was formerly known as Whitehorse Plaza. It comprises two floors with some minor office use.^[3]

Box Hill Central South

Straddling the underground railway station, this building is bounded by Station Street, Carrington Road, Thurston Street and Main Street. It is significantly larger than its northern counterpart and consists of several newer and older sections.^[4]

Office use

Both centres have office facilities located above or adjacent to the retail areas. Box Hill Central South provides 4,100 m² (44,000 sq ft) of co-working office space^[4] while the North houses a small number of medical facilities.^[3]

Transport interchange

Box Hill Central South is built above the underground Box Hill railway station with the entrance contained inside the shopping centre. It provides a direct link through the shopping complex to the Box Hill Bus Station on its roof, servicing 18 different bus routes.^[5] The centre is also serviced by tram route 109 with its terminus nearby on Whitehorse Road.

Box Hill Central has seven levels of undercover car parking spread across the south and north sections of the complex. Some bicycle parking is also located at most major entrances.