Top Ryde City

Top Ryde City is a large shopping centre and mixed-use development in Ryde, a suburb on Sydney's lower North Shore. The centre occupies a prominent site near the intersection of Devlin Street, Blaxland Road and Pope Street and combines retail, dining, entertainment, community facilities, offices, transport connections and residential apartments. Its current name dates from the major redevelopment of the former Top Ryde Shopping Centre, although the site has operated as a retail destination since 1957. The original centre was conceived by retailer Peter Benjamin and shopping-centre planner Peter Yeoman after Benjamin visited American shopping centres in the early 1950s. Opened on 14 November 1957 by New South Wales Premier Joe Cahill, it was one of Australia's earliest post-war open-air shopping centres and the first major example of its kind in New South Wales. The initial complex consisted of an A.J. Benjamin department store, Franklins supermarket, a variety store and approximately 45 smaller shops arranged around a pedestrian mall, supported by around 400 parking spaces. Its design and marketing presented a modern, convenient alternative to travelling into central Sydney or Parramatta for department-store and variety shopping. Ownership and retail composition changed repeatedly over the following decades. Lendlease acquired the centre in 1962 and expanded it, including the addition of Woolworths in 1963. Grace Bros replaced the original A.J. Benjamin department store in 1964, while later tenants included Venture, bowling and entertainment operators, and a broad range of specialty retailers. The GPT Group acquired the property in 1981. After Grace Bros departed in 1985, a substantial 1986 refurbishment introduced a multistorey car park, upgraded finishes, travelators, a roof over the mall and a lower-level food area; the centre was then known as Top Ryde Shopping Square. Grosvenor International Australia bought it in 1989, followed by Bevillesta Group in 2000. By the early 2000s, the ageing centre faced strong competition from Macquarie Centre, Westfield Hornsby, Westfield Parramatta, Birkenhead Point and the newer Rhodes shopping precinct. The former complex had become relatively dated and struggled to maintain customer traffic. Bevillesta pursued a comprehensive redevelopment, and the old centre was demolished during the late 2000s. Construction of the approximately $1.2 billion mixed-use project began after planning and contracting work involving Lend Lease and Bovis Lend Lease. The new development was planned as a self-contained village, centred on a 200-metre pedestrian street called La Strada and an approximately 2,000-square-metre public plaza known as La Piazza. The rebuilt centre opened progressively from November 2009 through 2011. Early stages introduced Big W, Dick Smith, JB Hi-Fi, Woolworths, Dan Murphy's, food outlets and specialty stores. Later stages added Aldi, Franklins, Rebel Sport, Australia Post, a two-level Myer department store, Freedom Furniture, restaurants and additional specialty retailers. The official opening took place on 20 August 2010 and was presided over by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. Event Cinemas opened an eight-screen complex with a large VMAX auditorium in December 2010. The final phase added childcare, medical and fitness facilities, the new Ryde Library and the Ryde Planning and Business Centre. The redevelopment also incorporated the Top Ryde City Living residential project, a seven-tower, 653-apartment complex developed above and beside the shopping centre. The residential component was completed in 2014 and received a New South Wales President's Award from the Urban Development Institute of Australia. The original development owner entered administration in 2011, and Blackstone acquired Top Ryde in November 2012. Retail trading conditions continued to shape the centre. Myer announced in 2015 that it would close its Top Ryde store because of weak sales and competition from o…

Top Ryde City developed from Top Ryde Shopping Centre, which opened on 14 November 1957 on a site of roughly 3.5 hectares. Its creation was inspired by American shopping-centre design. Peter Benjamin, from the A.J. Benjamin retailing family, and Peter Yeoman collaborated on a suburban centre intended to bring department-store and variety shopping closer to Sydney residents outside the central business district. The original open-air complex was anchored by A.J. Benjamin, Franklins and a variety store and contained approximately 45 additional shops, pedestrian circulation areas and about 400 parking spaces. Artist Gordon Andrews contributed a modern sculpture that became a notable feature of the centre. Lendlease purchased the property in 1962 and expanded it. Woolworths joined the centre in 1963, and Grace Bros took over the former A.J. Benjamin department-store space in 1964. During the 1970s, the centre added entertainment uses including a ten-pin bowling venue. The GPT Group became the owner in 1981. Grace Bros left in 1985, and a $9 million refurbishment followed in 1986. The works included a new multistorey car park, upgraded tiling and lighting, travelators, a roof over the mall and a food mall with specialty retailers. The property was renamed Top Ryde Shopping Square. Grosvenor International Australia acquired the centre from GPT in February 1989. It was later marketed for sale in the mid-1990s and again in 2000, when Bevillesta Group purchased it for a reported $57 million. By then, nearby shopping destinations had weakened the older centre's competitive position. Macquarie Centre, Westfield Hornsby, Westfield Parramatta, Birkenhead Point and Rhodes attracted customers with newer formats, broader offers and stronger entertainment components. The old Top Ryde centre had about 20,449 square metres of retail space, a small office building and more than 1,000 parking spaces, but its tenant mix and physical condition had deteriorated. Bevillesta proposed replacing the ageing centre with a major mixed-use project. A development application was lodged in 2006, and demolition began in July 2007. Lend Lease and Krikis Tayler were involved in the design, while Bovis Lend Lease received a project management, design and construction contract reported at approximately $470 million. Demolition was completed in February 2008, construction started in April, and the first concrete slab was poured in July. The broader project was planned at an estimated $1.2 billion and included a 33,000-square-metre development site, retail floors, offices, public facilities, residential apartments and pedestrian connections. The rebuilt centre was designed around La Strada, a roughly 200-metre internal street leading to the La Piazza public plaza. Stage one opened on 5 November 2009 with approximately 120 stores and food outlets on the lower-ground levels. Big W, Dick Smith, JB Hi-Fi, Woolworths, Dan Murphy's and other retailers opened in successive areas. Stage two began in February 2010, adding Aldi, Franklins and further specialty shops, followed in March by Rebel Sport, Australia Post and the first section of the fashion precinct. Stage three opened in August 2010 with around 150 additional specialty stores, a two-level Myer, Freedom Furniture and restaurants. The official opening was held on 20 August 2010. Event Cinemas added an eight-screen complex, including a 25-metre VMAX screen, in December 2010. Childcare, medical, gym, library and local-government facilities followed in February 2011. The construction period was accompanied by concerns about worker safety and truck movements around the site, including a serious workplace accident. The local Chamber of Commerce raised concerns about construction traffic, and the project managers reportedly addressed trucking issues by ending arrangements with certain transport contractors. The development owner entered administration in 2011, with McGrathNicol appointed administrator. Blackstone acquired the property in November 2012. Top Ryde City continued to be adjusted after opening. A 2013 application proposed new restaurants and balconies facing La Piazza, a new La Strada entrance, a travelator connection and changes to retail layouts. The nearby Top Ryde City Living residential project, consisting of seven towers and 653 apartments, was completed in 2014 and received a New South Wales President's Award from the Urban Development Institute of Australia. The centre's retail mix was substantially reshaped after Myer announced in May 2015 that it would close its store because of poor sales. Myer departed in July 2015, and a roughly $40 million program converted former department-store and supermarket areas. Kmart opened in June 2016, Coles and Liquorland opened in November 2016, and Harris Scarfe and TK Maxx followed in 2017. Harris Scarfe entered voluntary administration in December 2019 and its Top Ryde store closed in February 2020. A temporary furniture tenant occupied the space later that year. In November 2021, TEEG opened a combined Timezone and Zone Bowling entertainment centre, adding a substantial family-focused attraction. The centre remains active, with retail, dining, entertainment, services, community facilities and residential uses forming its principal offer.

1. 2021Timezone and Zone Bowling open

   TEEG opened a combined arcade, bowling and family entertainment venue.

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2. 2017Harris Scarfe and TK Maxx open

   The retail repositioning concluded with new department and off-price fashion tenants.

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3. 2016Kmart and Coles replace former retail areas

   Kmart opened in June, followed by Coles, Liquorland and an expanded fresh-food offer in November.

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4. 2015Myer announces store closure

   Myer announced the closure of its Top Ryde store because of weak sales and competition from other Sydney stores.

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5. 2014Top Ryde City Living is completed

   The seven-tower, 653-apartment residential project associated with the centre was completed.

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6. 2012Blackstone becomes owner

   Blackstone acquired Top Ryde after the original ownership group entered administration.

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7. 2010Top Ryde City officially opens

   The renamed and rebuilt centre received its official opening on 20 August.

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8. 2009First stage of the rebuilt centre opens

   The first 120 stores and food outlets in the new development opened on 5 November.

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9. 2007Redevelopment demolition begins

   The older shopping centre was demolished and construction of a major mixed-use replacement commenced.

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10. 2000Bevillesta Group purchases Top Ryde

    Bevillesta Group acquired the centre and proposed a major redevelopment.

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11. 1989Grosvenor International Australia purchases the centre

    Grosvenor acquired the property from GPT Group.

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12. 1986Major refurbishment and renaming

    A substantial refurbishment added parking, improved mall infrastructure and a food mall; the property became Top Ryde Shopping Square.

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13. 1981GPT Group acquires ownership

    The GPT Group acquired Top Ryde Shopping Centre from Lendlease.

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14. 1963Woolworths joins the centre

    Expansion added Woolworths and further specialty retail space.

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15. 1962Lendlease acquires the centre

    Lendlease purchased Top Ryde and subsequently expanded the complex.

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16. 1957Original Top Ryde Shopping Centre opens

    The first centre opened on 14 November 1957, becoming an early post-war open-air shopping centre in New South Wales.

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A large suburban mixed-use centre positioned as a convenient community shopping, dining, entertainment and services destination for Ryde and Sydney's lower North Shore.

• Top Ryde City shopping centreShopping centre2010

  The core offering is a large regional shopping centre with approximately 78,125 square metres of floor space. Its tenant mix spans supermarkets, discount department stores, fashion, electronics, sport, liquor, dining and services. The centre is organised around internal retail streets and public areas including La Strada and La Piazza, and is supported by extensive parking and bus access.

• La Strada and La PiazzaRetail and dining precinct2010

  La Strada is the development's central pedestrian retail street, leading toward La Piazza, an outdoor plaza surrounded by restaurants, retail and public amenities. Together they provide the centre with an open, village-like circulation and dining environment rather than a conventional enclosed mall layout.

• Event CinemasCinema2010

  The centre's cinema complex opened in December 2010 with eight screens, including a large-format VMAX auditorium. It expanded Top Ryde City's entertainment offer and complemented the surrounding restaurant and retail precincts.

• Timezone and Zone BowlingFamily entertainment2021

  Opened by The Entertainment and Education Group in 2021, this dual-branded venue occupies about 3,000 square metres. It includes arcade games, twelve bowling lanes, laser tag, bumper cars, a prize area and multipurpose party rooms.

• Top Ryde City LivingResidential development2014

  Top Ryde City Living is the associated residential component, comprising seven towers and 653 apartments positioned above and around the shopping-centre development. It forms part of the site's mixed-use identity and was completed in 2014.

• 2021Open a combined Timezone and Zone Bowling venueProduct launch

  The former Harris Scarfe space became available after the retailer's administration and store closure.

  What changed. TEEG opened a large dual-branded arcade, bowling and family entertainment venue.

  Aftermath. The new venue added bowling, laser tag, bumper cars, arcade games and party facilities to the centre's entertainment offer.

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• 2015Reconfigure former Myer and supermarket spaceStrategy

  Myer announced that its Top Ryde store would close because of poor sales and competition from other Sydney locations.

  What changed. The centre undertook a reported $40 million redevelopment program, introducing Kmart, Coles, Liquorland, a fresh-food precinct and new specialty tenants.

  Aftermath. Kmart opened in 2016, Coles and related retail opened later that year, and Harris Scarfe and TK Maxx followed in 2017.

  Redevelopment program value. $40 million (2015-2017)

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• 2006Replace the ageing centre with a mixed-use developmentStrategy

  The original centre had lost retail momentum as newer shopping destinations opened across Sydney and its facilities became dated.

  What changed. A development application was lodged to demolish the existing centre and create a large retail, residential, office and community precinct.

  Aftermath. The old centre was demolished and the rebuilt Top Ryde City opened progressively from 2009 to 2011.

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• 2021Timezone and Zone Bowling open at Top Ryde City

  TEEG opened a combined 3,000-square-metre family entertainment venue featuring arcade games, bowling, laser tag, bumper cars and party rooms.

  Product launch
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• 2016Kmart and refurbished Woolworths open after centre works

  A full-line Kmart opened in June 2016, alongside the reopening of a refurbished Woolworths store as part of the centre's retail repositioning.

  Product launch
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• 2016Coles-led retail precinct opens

  Coles, Liquorland, a fresh-food area, Rashays and additional specialty stores opened in November 2016 in the former Myer-related space.

  Product launch
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• 2015Myer announces Top Ryde store closure

  Myer announced that it would close its Top Ryde department store, citing poor sales and competition from other Sydney locations.

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• 2012Blackstone acquires Top Ryde

  Blackstone acquired the shopping-centre property after the original development owners entered administration in 2011.

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• 2010Top Ryde City receives official opening

  The redeveloped centre held its official opening on 20 August 2010, following the staged launch of major retailers and public areas.

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• 2009Top Ryde City opens in stages

  The rebuilt centre began opening progressively in November 2009, with further retail and public facilities added through 2011.

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• 2007Top Ryde Shopping Centre redevelopment begins after demolition

  The former shopping centre was demolished and work began on a large mixed-use redevelopment planned to combine retail, community facilities, offices and apartments.

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1. Top Ryde City
2. Top Ryde City official website