In the late 1960s, the planning department of the
state government drew up a plan for several 'sub-regional' retail centres, which would form the commercial and economic focus of each 'node', and take the retail burden away from the
CBD.
Booragoon, in the southern suburbs, was chosen as one of the ideal locations. It was decided to be named 'Garden City' and construction work was undertaken by
Hooker Corporation which began in 1970. In December 1971, Lady Lloyd Jones placed a time-capsule in the ground. The centre was opened in 1972, and immediately became popular as the nexus of the Melville Civic Centre Complex, which had been established after the
Melville Council Offices were built in 1968. The site was in the midst of sandy bush, not far from
Applecross Senior High School and
Wireless Hill Park. On opening in 1972, the original centre consisted of three anchor tenants connected by covered malls to a central atrium. To the north was a three-level
David Jones department store (now
Myer), to the south was a two-level Boans store with provision for addition of a third level (now David Jones) and to the west a single level
Coles variety store. The connecting malls were lined with specialty shops. On the south-west side a five-level office building, Garden City House, was also opened. In 2019,
Scentre Group purchased a 50% shareholding from
AMP Capital. In 2021,
Dexus purchased AMP Capital's other 50%.
Redevelopments 2021 redevelopment After AMP shelved redevelopment plans in December 2020, it was announced that the Booragoon Civic Square Library, which sits next to Westfield Booragoon, would be demolished for redevelopment space of the centre. Almost a year later, on 9 November 2021, funding for a $500 million dollar redevelopment to the centre were found. On 28 November 2021, the proposed plans were publicly released, growing the centre to of retail space and making it the third largest shopping centre in Western Australia. The redevelopment was split into two stages and consisted of: • First stage • New Fresh Food precinct, which included a relocated Woolworths supermarket, and a new Aldi. • Outdoor entertainment and dining precinct featuring over 15 restaurants and stores across two floors, including a 9 screen Hoyts cinema complex. • 53 additional stores, including a relocated food court. • Refurbished Myer and existing centre. • Second stage • A new fashion mall featuring 45 new stores, including a relocated and expanded David Jones. Plans were approved in late 2021, but received an extension to the end of 2023 to update the plans further. Zara at Westfield Booragoon closed permanently late September 2021 to open at Karrinyup shopping centre as part of a major redevelopment of that centre. On 3 February 2023, it was reported that plans were once again changed, this time on a larger scale. The total cost being up to nearly $800 million, and size being boosted up to , which would make it the largest shopping centre in Western Australia. Plans were approved the following week. ==Architectural features==