Forestway Shopping Centre in Frenchs Forest is undergoing a $30 million transformation, including plans to demolish its prominent three-storey car park facing Forest Way.
Property investment company Revelop purchased the centre near Forest Way and Warringah Road intersection from US firm Invesco Asset Management in March 2021 for $100 million. The mall first opened its doors to the community as the Arndale Centre in 1966 and currently houses major tenants like Woolworths and Aldi alongside dozens of other shops.
Modernisation Underway
The first stage of the extensive refurbishment project is already in progress. Shoppers may have noticed changes, including upgrades to the mall’s internal floors, ceilings, and shopfronts, which aim to improve its overall appearance. New businesses have also been introduced as part of this stage, including a Vintage Cellars outlet and a florist on the western side, along with two Asian food outlets and an updated newsagency on the eastern side.
Future Changes Proposed
New images associated with the project’s second stage show significant future changes. Planning authorities have recently been asked to review updated traffic movement and stormwater plans for this next phase. The images indicate newly designed entry and exit points for the centre along Russell Avenue and Grace Avenue. They also display a radically different look for the mall’s main facade and confirm the intention to remove the existing multi-level car park along Forest Way.
Neighbourhood Focus
Revelop has stated its intention is not to increase the overall size of the shopping centre but rather to improve parking, update its appearance, and enhance the mix of shops available. Revelop director Charbel Hazzouri indicated the company wants to preserve Forestway as a neighbourhood shopping centre. He stated the goal is to provide the local community a comprehensive one-stop shopping experience.
Mr Hazzouri added that internally, while keeping its convenient level access, the centre will feature much-improved finishes and a wider range of shops to ensure it remains the community’s primary local shopping destination. Revelop is also active elsewhere on the northern beaches, having bought the former Stockland Mall at Balgowlah for $155 million earlier this year.
Past Proposals
The previous owner, Invesco, also wished to redevelop the large 2-hectare site. Their proposal included partial demolition, significantly increasing the number of car parking spaces to 740, and adding facilities such as a large restaurant, a childcare centre, a medical centre, a gym, and additional retail and office space.
However, the Sydney North Planning Panel rejected this larger-scale redevelopment plan in late December 2020. The panel cited concerns that the proposal would create too much traffic on nearby residential streets and failed to meet several environmental planning requirements.
Published Date 10-April-2025
