Top Ryde City
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 14 November 1957 |
| Founder | Peter Benjamin, Peter Yeoman |
| Headquarters | Ryde, Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Sydney metropolitan area |
| Products | Retail shopping centre |
| Owner | Blackstone |
| Website | www |
Top Ryde City, previously known as Top Ryde Shopping Centre, is a prominent retail complex situated in the Sydney suburb of Ryde, currently owned by Blackstone.
20th Century
The initial Top Ryde Shopping Centre commenced operations on 14 November 1957, occupying a 3.5-hectare parcel of land and officially opened by NSW Premier Joe Cahill. It holds the distinction of being the first major open-air shopping centre built in New South Wales after World War II, and the second of its kind in Australia following Brisbane’s Chermside Drive-In Shopping Centre.
The concept originated from Peter Benjamin, a member of the retail-focused Benjamin family, who drew inspiration from American shopping centres he examined in 1953. Together with Peter Yeoman, they crafted a contemporary retail environment characterized by apricot brickwork and windowless facades segmented vertically.
The centre was anchored by the A.J. Benjamin & Co department store, alongside a Franklins supermarket, a variety store, and 45 additional shops arranged around a pedestrian mall. It provided parking for 400 vehicles and featured a modern sculpture created by artist Gordon Andrews as a central artistic element. The centre promoted the slogan "come as you are...shop in comfort," offering local shoppers access to major department stores and a broad range of retail services.
In 1962, Lendlease acquired ownership and expanded the facility by introducing Woolworths in 1963, increasing specialty outlets, and adding 200 more parking spaces. The A.J. Benjamin store ceased operations in 1964 and was succeeded by Grace Bros. Reflecting its community role, a Ten Pin Bowling Alley was inaugurated during the 1970s, later rebranded as AMF Bowling.
A renovation in 1986 resulted in renaming the centre to Top Ryde Shopping Square, incorporating a multi-level car park, new entry points, roofing over the mall area, and various enhancements. The Grace Bros location was replaced by Venture.
In February 1989, Grosvenor International Australia purchased Top Ryde for $42.5 million from GPT Group and subsequently listed it for sale with an anticipated price of $53 million.
The rise of larger shopping destinations such as Macquarie Centre (opened 1981), Westfield Hornsby, Westfield Parramatta, Birkenhead Point Outlet Centre, and Rhodes Waterside (2004) significantly affected Top Ryde’s retail viability.
21st Century
By early 2000, Top Ryde Shopping Centre was placed on the market. In October that year, Bevillesta Group acquired it for $57 million from Grosvenor International Australia with plans to undertake extensive expansion that included discount department stores, cinemas, and potentially a residential tower.
Prior to redevelopment, the centre had become nearly defunct, anchored primarily by Woolworths and Franklins alongside three mini-major tenants: BowlAustralia's WondABowl, Double Bay Clothing Warehouse, Go-Lo Discounts, plus 84 specialty stores mainly consisting of banks and service providers. The two-level design featured Woolworths and a modest food court on the lower floor while Franklins occupied the upper level with access points to Blaxland Road and nearby bus routes.
Demolition commenced in July 2007 followed by redevelopment under the new title Top Ryde City—a name selected by the City of Ryde Council. Stage 1 launched on 5 November 2009 with approximately 115 retailers including Woolworths, Big W, Dan Murphy's, and JB Hi-Fi along Tucker Street. Subsequent phases opened throughout 2010 extending towards Pope Street.
Stage 2 debuted in March 2010 introducing Aldi, Rebel Sport, and around 60 specialty stores within the La Strada fashion precinct. Stage 3 opened on 4 August 2010 featuring Myer alongside additional fashion outlets. The official inauguration took place on 20 August 2010 officiated by Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Final elements completed by February 2011 included Event Cinemas, childcare facilities, a medical centre, fitness gymnasium, Ryde Library, and the Ryde Planning and Business Centre. Plans for Strike Bowling were ultimately abandoned.
Pedestrian bridges were opened in December 2009 (southern side) and August 2010 (northern side). The redevelopment encountered challenges such as safety incidents involving workers including a near-fatal accident. Concerns raised by the local Chamber of Commerce regarding truck traffic were addressed through termination of contracts with certain freight companies.
The original proprietors entered administration in 2011 with McGrathNicol appointed as administrators. Subsequently, Blackstone purchased Top Ryde City in November 2012 for $341 million.
In 2014, Crown Group Holdings completed Top Ryde City Living—a residential development consisting of seven towers housing a total of 653 apartments above the shopping centre—providing accommodation for over 600 residents with views encompassing Sydney Harbour Bridge, Blue Mountains, and North Shore. This project earned the NSW President's Award from the Urban Development Institute of Australia that same year.
Recent developments
On 5 May 2015, Myer ceased operations at its Top Ryde location due to underwhelming sales performance, as shoppers preferred alternative centers such as Parramatta, Chatswood, Macquarie Centre, and Sydney. Redevelopment efforts commenced in June 2015, prompting the closure or relocation of several retailers including Freedom Furniture and Supa IGA. Notable transformations during this period include:
- The inauguration of a full-line Kmart on 16 June 2016, occupying the former Supa IGA (previously Franklins) site.
- Launch of a comprehensive Coles supermarket accompanied by a liquor outlet on 9 November 2016, situated in the space formerly held by Myer.
- Introduction of a fresh food precinct alongside additional retail outlets, also unveiled on 9 November 2016.
- Harris Scarfe opened its first full-scale Sydney store on 22 July 2017 on the ground floor previously used by Myer. This store permanently closed in January 2020 after Harris Scarfe entered voluntary administration in December 2019. The premises were subsequently occupied by Supreme Furniture from August 2020, followed by Timezone and Zone Bowling from November 2021 onwards.
- TK Maxx commenced operations simultaneously with Harris Scarfe in July 2017.
Tenants
Top Ryde City encompasses a retail floor area of 78,125m². Prominent retailers housed within the centre include Big W, Kmart, Aldi, Coles, Woolworths, TK Maxx, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel, Fitness First, Timezone, Zone Bowling, and Event Cinemas.
Transport
The Top Ryde precinct is accessible via multiple bus routes servicing connections to Sydney’s CBD, North Shore, Northern Suburbs, and adjacent localities, predominantly operated by Busways. The majority of these buses depart from stops located along Devlin Road and Blaxland Road near the centre’s principal entrance. The closest railway stations are Meadowbank and West Ryde, as there is no train station directly in Ryde.