As Westfield Miranda gears up for its 50th anniversary later this year, Westfield managing director of Australia, US and NZ, Robert Jordan, spoke to Belinda Connolly about the future of Sutherland Shire’s favourite shopping centre.
LOVE it or loathe it, it's the shopping centre where most of us head to buy clothes or a gift, or see a movie.
By the time the renovations are complete later this year, it will also be the venue of choice for dining, buying fresh food and catching up with friends, said Robert Jordan.
The renovated Westfield Miranda will be unveiled later this year, just in time for its 50th birthday celebrations.
Mr Jordan is a Yowie Bay resident and has been the major driver of the Miranda redevelopment.
"As a kid my mother used to take me shopping there and it is one of my first memories — especially Tudor Court," he said.
Mr Jordan said that during renovations the team would come across pieces of the old mock Tudor area.
"I interacted with Miranda Fair all through my life. I used to hang out at centre court before high school sport," Mr Jordan said.
"My father was an electrician on the original centre.
"I think if you live in the shire it is part of you — it has always been there."
Mr Jordan joined Westfield at the end of 1987 and worked on the Hurstville centre before taking on the previous Miranda renovation.
He said the previous work was a massive and difficult job, making the latest renovation seem easy by comparison.
"We relocated one church and police offices, had to purchase 25 separate land holdings and had to buy some railway land (last time)" he said.
Mr Jordan was tight-lipped about new tenants but promised the new and improved centre would be like a little piece of the city transported to the shire.
"The women of the shire keep asking who's coming in — I think it will surprise a few people," he said.
"We're refurbishing Myer and DJs, there'll be more food and it is going to be fantastic.
"The wait will be worthwhile — [shoppers] will be delighted as they are getting the very best product from around the world."
Are you excited about the new Westfield Miranda?