An $160 million expansion in 2005, which expanded the centre's floor area from 29,000 to 90,000 m2 (310,000 to 970,000 sq ft), saw Macarthur Square become one of the largest shopping complexes in Sydney.[3] A further development in 2017 increased the retail floor area to 107,000 m2 (1,150,000 sq ft).[4]
History
Macarthur Square was opened on 10 September 1979[5] by The Hon. Paul Landa, Minister for Planning and Environment. Macarthur Square was seen as a major regional shopping centre for the Macarthur Growth Centre in south-western Sydney. The NSW State Planning Authority purchased large tracts of land in the Campbelltown area in the 1960s. The Authority produced a structure plan in 1973 under the title of the Campbelltown-Camden-Appin Three Cities Plan. State and Commonwealth funding established a growth centre in the region. An agreement between the Liberal Government in NSW and the Whitlam Labor Government in Canberra provided funds for land acquisition and urban development. The Growth Centre was called Macarthur Growth Centre and established a development board. The Macarthur Development Board bought and sold land, developed industrial estates and the Macarthur Square shopping centre.[6] In December 1983 a 3 year old boy named Ali Elassad while looking at Christmas decorations with his older brother plunged 10 metres from one of the balconies to the floor below and fractured his skull however he survived and returned home in time for Christmas and was dubbed "The miracle boy of Sydney".[5]
This $240 million development added a relocated and refurbished Coles supermarket, a redeveloped flagship David Jones store, and a new H&M, as well as a new fresh food hall, dining terrace and 45 speciality stores. In addition, a new Aldi supermarket and full line Harris Scarfe store were developed end of 2017, in order to cement the destinations title as the most important shopping centre in the Macarthur region. Harris Scarfe has since closed down.
