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The $300 million redevelopment of Chatswood Chase in Chatswood has been completed, delivering expanded retail space, upgraded access and targeted sustainability outcomes.

Background And Context In Chatswood

Multiplex has finished Vicinity Centres’ $300 million redevelopment at 345 Victoria Avenue and 5 Havilah Street, Chatswood, in October 2025. The project adds 20,000 square metres, taking the centre to 84,000 square metres across five levels. The centre, first delivered by Multiplex in the early 1980s, has been modernised with a design by Make and Webber.

Chatswood Chase — *Photo Credit: Vicinity Centres*

What Changed: Design, Access And Sustainability

The redevelopment introduces more than 100 new retail tenancies and the Chase Market food hall on the Lower Ground floor. Upgrades include new skylit atria and voids, 13 lifts and 26 escalators, and enhanced entries on Victoria Avenue, Archer Street and Havilah Street, with a mirror-clad awning on Victoria Avenue. The project targets a 4 Star Green Star Design & As-Built rating and a 4.5 Star NABERS rating.

Chatswood Chase redevelopment — *Photo Credit: Vicinity Centres*

Delivery In A Live Trading Environment

Construction ran for about 19 months with an average of 350–400 workers and a peak of 900 during shopfitting. Works proceeded while retailers including Coles, Kmart and David Jones traded. Approximately 1,000 tonnes of structural steel, four kilometres of carbon fibre and 15,000 square metres of tiling were used. Logistics software and staged loading dock deliveries balanced construction and retail operations. Temporary catch decks and roof areas supported work on voids while keeping lower levels dry. More than 500 truncations were made to the post-tensioned slab, with plant and services relocated without interruption.

Operational upgrades include a 1,000-litre stormwater tank, a syphonic drainage system and automatic flood barriers.

Retail Rollout And Next Steps

Vicinity Centres reopened redeveloped areas on 23 October 2025, following the November 2024 relaunch of food and hospitality on Lower Ground. More than 60 new and returning retailers opened, with anchor brands including Apple, David Jones, MECCA, Country Road, R.M. Williams and Sephora.

The next phase is anticipated for completion in April 2026, with Level 1 flagged for an early 2026 luxury rollout. Vicinity separately frames the broader transformation as a $625 million program, distinct from the $300 million builder-delivered redevelopment.

Published 3-Nov-2025

Retailers at Chatswood Chase are fighting back against plans by the shopping centre’s operator to cut free parking from three hours to two and bring in new fees, raising concerns the move will harm businesses at the Chatswood complex.

Parking Changes Proposed

Vicinity Centres, the company operating Chatswood Chase, intends to reduce the complimentary parking period for customers. Under the proposal, shoppers would face new charges if staying longer than two hours.

A fee of $3 would apply for visits lasting between two and two-and-a-half hours, increasing to $5 for stays between two-and-a-half and three hours. These changes are expected to be introduced in April next year, coinciding with the launch of a new ticketless parking system at the centre.

Traders Fear Customer Loss

A group of businesses within the centre has strongly opposed the parking shake-up. Shopkeepers are worried the changes could push customers towards competing shopping centres nearby, such as Westfield Chatswood, which is only 200 metres away and continues to offer three hours of free parking.

Other major centres on the north shore, including Hornsby Westfield, Top Ryde, and the Macquarie Centre, also provide three hours free. Inder Preet, who runs the Preet Indian restaurant, stated that two hours is often not enough time for people to park, shop, and then eat or do other things. He expressed concern that customers facing parking fees might choose to leave the centre or go elsewhere. Owners of other businesses, like the Nextra Newsagency, worry about the potential negative effect on traders already dealing with rising operational costs.

Council Expresses Concern

Willoughby Council has also raised concerns regarding the proposed parking fees. The council indicated that the changes could increase traffic congestion on streets surrounding the shopping centre and potentially cause longer vehicle queues, especially during busy shopping times. Council’s deputy mayor, Angelo Rozos, described the plan as a “cash grab” and expressed disappointment, suggesting it was not the right way to treat paying customers.

Operator Defends Decision

Vicinity Centres explained that the changes aim to increase the turnover of parking spaces, ensure genuine shoppers can find spots more easily, and discourage non-centre visitors from occupying bays. The operator suggested the move could encourage customers to shorten their visits or use alternative transport like walking, cycling, or public transport.

It is understood the company is also considering a rewards program that might grant Willoughby Council residents three hours of free parking if they enter via the Archer St car park entrance. Chatswood Chase centre manager Eddie Paynter stated the parking changes reflect the company’s vision to transform the centre into a modern destination and are intended to harmonise parking policies with the surrounding area, ultimately enhancing the shopping experience and supporting retailers.

The parking changes are part of a larger redevelopment currently underway at the centre. Upon completion, the project is expected to add 84 parking spaces, bringing the total to 2349.

Published Date 17-April-2025

Tag: Chatswood Chase

$300 Million Redevelopment Completed At Chatswood Chase