Forgotten images of Carindale Shopping Centre
Thursday 14 November 2019 marks 40 years since Carindale shops first opened its doors in 1979.
To celebrate, I've gathered some images of Carindale's past 40 years, including some never-before-seen photos.
AERIAL VIEW OF CARINDALE SHOPPING CENTRE SITE. CORNER OF CREEK AND OLD CLEVELAND ROADS, 27 MARCH 1979. COPYRIGHT BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL.
TIMELINE
1975 – Planning for shopping centre began
1976 – Land purchased by State Government Insurance Office to develop site
1979 – Shopping centre opened to the public
1991 – Bus Station opened
1999 – Rebranded as Westfield
1999 – Council Library moved in
2010 – $300M redevelopment begins
2012 – Upgraded centre officially opened
2012 – Paid parking introduced
2019 – 40 Years celebration
Below are some images of the Westfield site prior to development.
EARLY HISTORY
In 1898, the site that is now Westfield Carindale was a Baynes Brothers fellmongery and wool scour. This area was part of Belmont until it was officially named ‘Carindale’ in 1980. [2]
SCOURED WOOL LEAVING WOOL SCOUR AND FELLMONGERY AT BAYNES BROS, BELMONT, BRISBANE, QLD - CIRCA 1910. [SOURCE]
BAYNES BROTHERS, WOOL DRYING GREEN, BELMONT, BRISBANE, QLD - 1908. [SOURCE]
The 1970s
It was Brisbane's largest shopping centre at the time, costing $12 million to build and featuring 50 speciality shops.
Like most of Carindale it was developed by the State Government Insurance Office, or SGIO.
18 FEBRUARY 1982 - CARINDALE SHOPPING CENTRE INTERIOR. [SOURCE]
THE 1980s
As many people would fondly remember, Carindale shopping Centre once housed a mini golf course. The course was located on the far eastern side of the building near the escalators upstairs.
It featured live fish in a pond, a giant crocodile and a character tree. This was installed over 3 months by Brisbane business, Natureworks who are still in operation today.
I reached out to them to get some never before seen photos of the course in it’s early days and under construction.
THE 1990s
On 13 April 1999, the Brisbane City Council Library moved in to the shopping centre.
The below images were taken in December 1999, not long after opening.
THE 2000s
In 2010, works on the $300 million redevelopment began, which transformed the shopping centre into the model we are familiar with today.
While the redevelopment work was taking place, the Council library moved across the road to the Homemaker Centre.
Below are photos of Cr Adrian Schrinner, now Lord Mayor, at the temporary location across the road.
Jenny, the Library Team Leader still works at Carindale Library today.
The new library was opened by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk on 29 March, 2012.
The below video shows a great timelapse of some of the work that was undertaken as part of the redevelopment from 2010 – 2012.
Featured article on Ten News about the opening of the upgraded centre, March 2012.
Today, in its latest incarnation Westfield Carindale is the eleventh-largest shopping centre in Australia, boasting over 450 speciality stores and almost 6,000 car parking spaces.
I wish Westfield Carindale, and it’s employees and tenants a happy 40th Birthday. Here’s to 40 more years of the shopping centre!