Macquarie Centre

Macquarie Centre is one of Sydney's largest shopping centres and a major landmark in the Macquarie Park/North Ryde area. It is located on the corner of Herring and Waterloo Roads, opposite Macquarie University.

The centre's origins date back to 1968, when department store chain Grace Bros purchased land in North Ryde with plans for a major regional shopping complex. After competing proposals, planning disputes, and government approvals, the Grace Bros development received approval in 1969.

Construction began in 1979 on what was then one of the largest retail developments in New South Wales. Developed with the support of AMP, the project was valued at approximately $80 million.

Macquarie Centre officially opened on 17 November 1981, with NSW Premier Neville Wran presiding over the opening. At the time it featured around 145 shops, major tenants including Grace Bros, Woolworths and Big W, and Australia's first shopping centre ice skating rink.

The centre grew alongside the transformation of North Ryde from a largely industrial and semi-rural area into the major commercial and education precinct now known as Macquarie Park. Over the following decades it underwent several expansions and refurbishments, including a major redevelopment completed in 2014, which substantially increased retail space and modernised the complex.

Today, Macquarie Centre contains hundreds of retailers and serves as a regional shopping, dining and entertainment hub, closely linked to Macquarie University, the Sydney Metro, and the surrounding business district.