Charlestown Square

Charlestown Square is a major regional shopping centre in Charlestown, New South Wales, a suburb of the city of Lake Macquarie. It is owned and operated by General Property Trust. It was formerly managed by Lend Lease Corporation.

Charlestown Square

Location	Charlestown, New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates	32.963°S 151.695°E / -32.963; 151.695
Address	30 Pearson Street
Opening date	1979 (1979)
Developer	Lend Lease Corporation
Owner	The GPT Group
No. of stores and services	315[1]
No. of anchor tenants	8
Total retail floor area	94,800 m2 (1,020,419 sq ft)[1]
No. of floors	3
Website	www.charlestownsquare.com.au

Originally built in 1979 as a 2-storey structure; the centre has undergone several extensions and renovations. It currently has over 170 stores and is the largest shopping centre in the Hunter Region. The centre now has 3 levels, and includes two food courts.[2]

The centre features a Myer, Big W, Target, JB Hi Fi, Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, H&M, EB Games and numerous other stores.[3]

From 2008 to 2010, the centre underwent a major $470 million expansion after obtaining support from Lake Macquarie City Council.[3] A number of people have been opposed to the expansion, including local member of parliament Matthew Morris.[4]

The expansion included over 100 new shops, a new 8-screen Reading Cinema (which holds two Gold Lounge cinemas) and created new jobs for an additional 1300 people, significantly boosting the local economy.

A further expansion in 2015 saw Charlestown Square undergo a major redevelopment in a section of the centre known best for the former residency of the brand 'Best and Less'. This development meant the closure of 34 retailers during construction but brought major international retailers such as H&M and Mecca to the centre.

H&M opened at Charlestown Square on 14 July 2016 along with a Cotton On Flagship store. German Supermarket Aldi also opened within the centre in 2016.