5 days ago
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February 19, 2026 — 5:00am
When Roselands opened in 1965, it promised a western Sydney shopping experience unlike any other: an air-conditioned three-level mall, a Grace Bros department store and a luxury centre geared towards the “woman shopper”, according to a Herald feature written at the time.
But 60 years later, the owners of HomeCo. Roselands, one of Sydney’s oldest retail precincts, want the shopping destination to become more “future-focused”. A $55 million proposal lodged with Canterbury‑Bankstown City Council could ensure that.
A development application details a redevelopment that would focus on increasing the floor space of the shopping centre to 81,000 square metres, a new entrance foyer, 470 additional car parking spaces and the introduction of a new 16,000 square metre “global supermarket operator”.
The upgrades intend to revitalise the centre, which the documents revealed is at risk of losing key retailers due to a lack of “necessary services and functional areas”. It was previously announced that Myer, formerly Grace Bros, would close its doors later this year.
Also proposed is the construction of a new “specialised retail centre” on level three, as well as an intersection upgrade and a new roundabout at Roselands Drive and Roselands Avenue.
It marks a key point in the history of Roselands: when it opened it was touted as a “city-in-the-suburbs that has everything”. The iconic raindrop fountain, now gone, became a popular meeting point among shoppers. A hairdressing salon had chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, fashion parades regularly took place, and rose shrubs were strategically placed throughout the centre.
The shopping centre kick-started western Sydney’s love of gigantic malls, with centres established in Penrith, Parramatta, Bankstown and Merrylands shortly after.
Now, the proposed new-look shopping precinct aims to bring in more national and international retailers to modernise Roselands and tailor it to the needs of today’s shoppers. The redevelopment is expected to create about 200 direct construction jobs and more than 350 retail jobs upon completion.
HomeCo. Roselands is owned and managed as a partnership between a subsidiary of HMC Capital and JY Group. Sid Sharma, managing director of real estate at HMC Capital, said Roselands has always been a place where the community has come together to create memories.
“There are many Sydney residents, including myself, who have fond memories of and a connection to Roselands,” he said.
“Our goal is to ensure that same spirit of Roselands is preserved, and will continue to serve the community for another 60 years and beyond.”
The Sydney Morning Herald has a bureau in the heart of Parramatta. Email [email protected] with news tips.
