EVOLUTION OF WESTFIELD MIRANDA: Westfield purchases Miranda Fair (1969)

As we know, 1969 was a huge year. I would see 1969 as a pivotal year in the history of Miranda Fair/Westfield Miranda.

It was in this year that the growing Westfield Corporation purchased the centre from Myer for $10 million. Immediately, plans to expand the centre were lodged with Sutherland Council.

Page 1 of The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader from March 26, 1969.

The expanded centre (illustration above) was proposed to be twice the size of the 1964 complex and would now extend to the Kingsway. Farmers would exapnd their existing store, a new supermarket, hardware store and junior department store. As for the original centre, it had been designed with future expansion in mind.

Above: Page 1 of The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader from November 3, 1969.

Sutherland Council approved expansion plans in November 1969. As a condition of approval, Wandella Road would be upgraded from the Kingsway to President Avenue. This included the construction of a road bridge over the Cronulla Railway Line.

Final approval was given in early 1970.

By the end of 1970, Grace Bros would join as the "junior" department store and Nock & Kirbys would open a store in the expanded centre.

Page 1 of The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader from October 14, 1970.