Long before Westfield Miranda, there was Westfield Sutherland, although it went by a different name.
About the same time former sandwich shop owners Frank Lowy and John Saunders opened their first American-style, modern shopping centre in Blacktown in 1959, they also bought the old Odeon Theatre and adjoining properties in Boyle Street, Sutherland.
The block between Boyle Street and President Avenue could have ended up a huge Westfield complex had not developer Sid Londish bought up land at the same time to build Miranda Fair.
Miranda Fair was such a success after its opening in 1964, Westfield Corporation bought it for $10 million in 1969 and set about doubling its size.
Just when Westfield departed Sutherland is not clear.
The old Odeon Theatre building still stands in Boyle Street, but these days it houses a dance studio, offices and shops.
Details of the Sutherland project were included in the prospectus when privately-owned Westfield Corporation was floated in 1960.
The document valued the property, which was owned jointly with a subsidiary of Stocks and Holdings, at £130,000 ($260,000).
It said conversion of the the Odeon Theatre into four two-storey department stores and eight shops was under way,
Two of the department stores had already been leased to Snows and Eric Anderson.
‘‘A further stage will be the erection of eight more shops on a block of land situated on the corner of Eton Street and President Avenue,’’ the prospectus said.
‘‘On completion, these shops may be retained for investment purposes or sold.’’
The District & Shire News, which was incorporated into the first edition of the Leader on June 29, 1960, reported on both the Sutherland shopping centre development as well as the project tentatively called Miranda Fair.
The Sutherland project would cost £200,000 ($400,000), the report said.
Westfield director Frank Lowy said the three of the walls of the old theatre were quite sound and would remain standing.
The November 23, 1960, edition of the Leader carried an advertising supplement for the opening of the Westfield project, which was given the name Sutherland Civic Centre.
“The opening of the Westfield ‘Civic Centre’, a brand spanking new shopping centre in Boyle Street Sutherland, next Saturday will be a big thing for the entire Sutherland District,” the Leader reported.
The report said, “Tom Dalton MLA will declare the centre open and invite the assembled throng to share a cup of tea or, just possibly, a bargain or two”.