Canberra Centre, Canberra

The Canberra Centre, originally known as the Monaro Mall, holds a special place in Australia's retail history as the first three-storey, fully enclosed, and air-conditioned shopping center in the country. Officially opened by Prime Minister Robert Menzies on March 6, 1963, the mall quickly became a central hub for shopping in Canberra. At its inception, it housed major retailers such as David Jones, Marcus Clark & Co., Coles New World Supermarket, and McEwans Hardware, along with 58 specialty shops. This pioneering development set the stage for the Canberra Centre's long-standing significance in the city's commercial landscape.

In 1989, the mall underwent a major redevelopment and was rebranded as the Canberra Centre, marking a new era for the shopping precinct. The redevelopment, officially inaugurated by Rosemary Follett on November 2, 1989, expanded the center to include four city blocks, with David Jones, Myer, City Market, and Target as anchor stores. The redesign included modernized facilities, improved accessibility, and the addition of travelators to connect different parts of the mall, although these were later demolished. This expansion solidified the Canberra Centre's position as a premier shopping destination in the region.

Further enhancements were made to the Canberra Centre in the late 2000s, including the addition of a Dendy Cinema complex and a greater variety of retailers and services. The center faced challenges, such as the severe storm on February 28, 2007, which caused significant damage due to flooding. However, the Canberra Centre continued to evolve, with a renovated section of the mall, known as the Monaro Mall, reopening in July 2017 as a beauty precinct. This renovation introduced high-end brands like Jurlique, Lush, and Mecca Maxima, and was followed by the arrival of new fashion brands like H&M, Gorman, and Calvin Klein.

The end of 2018 and 2019 saw further expansion, with the addition of globally recognized brands such as Superdry, Nike, and Levi's, ensuring the Canberra Centre remains a vibrant and dynamic shopping destination.