To the south of Sydney City, in the suburb of Eastlakes, is a rather run down shopping centre that has survived despite the advent of larger, and vastly more modern, malls.
Built back in 1964, along with that sea of red bricked unit blocks that surround the place, it was originally named the 'Lakes Shopping Centre'.
The land itself was previously a racecourse.
Built back in 1964, along with that sea of red bricked unit blocks that surround the place, it was originally named the 'Lakes Shopping Centre'.
The land itself was previously a racecourse.
I've avoided the place for many years, the parking being a badly designed nightmare, its not having a huge amount of the shops you look for, and the fish shop, well there is an odour all of it's own.
However, all this aside, it is a great step back in time, and well worth a visit before it is gone forever.
However, all this aside, it is a great step back in time, and well worth a visit before it is gone forever.
However, time is finally catching up with the Eastlakes shops, with a brand new development (see above) soon to open across the other side of Evans Avenue, on land that was originally a carpark, along with a couple of shops.
I regret not taking photos of that area before all this started. However, all photographers have that sort of regret.
I regret not taking photos of that area before all this started. However, all photographers have that sort of regret.
July 2021 is the date I am often given for the closure of the current shopping centre, this being when it is to be replaced by the new development.
The current state of the new place makes it hard to believe that this date is achievable. However, I'm a photographer, not a builder, so I shall leave that sort of guesswork up to them.
The current state of the new place makes it hard to believe that this date is achievable. However, I'm a photographer, not a builder, so I shall leave that sort of guesswork up to them.
The forthcoming demise of this somewhat grotty little mall has encouraged us to go shopping there a number of times, taking advantage of this to get some shots before it has all gone.
I guess they will be of some photographic value one day.
Or maybe not.
The main entrance to the shopping centre off Evans Avenue.
That shop behind the concerned looking security guard was originally a KFC, one of two major fast food chains that once graced this centre.
Reasonably new to the centre, compared to most of the other businesses, is my friends 'Food T3pp' Filipino restaurant and grocery store.
If you haven't tried Filo food before, do yourself a favour.
If you haven't tried Filo food before, do yourself a favour.
No! I have not been paid for comment :-)
Whether or not the donuts are super I cannot tell you.
I have not yet tried one.
I have not yet tried one.
Not the most delightful location for one's nasal senses.
One of my huge dislikes with this shopping centre is the toilet stall doors. To be honest, they are more half doors than actual doors. It is almost as if they had the one door and wanted to place it across two stalls to save some dosh.
Very uncomfortable experience, when attending to the call of nature, finding yourself being viewed by any average sized person who enters.
Hard to believe that this has never been an issue raised with center management.
That god awful looking building to the left was where McDonalds once was.
For whatever reason, they closed down this outlet.
Some years later they attempted to have a brand new outlet, across the road, on the corner of Gardeners Road. However the natives became restless and the idea seemed to get dropped.
For whatever reason, they closed down this outlet.
Some years later they attempted to have a brand new outlet, across the road, on the corner of Gardeners Road. However the natives became restless and the idea seemed to get dropped.
Lower carpark.
Middle carpark.
Upper carpark.
Yes, I have griped on a little.
However, the negatives aside, I will be returning as many times as I can. Because, in a few months time, Eastlakes Shopping Centre will be another boring example of modern day shopping mall.
However, the negatives aside, I will be returning as many times as I can. Because, in a few months time, Eastlakes Shopping Centre will be another boring example of modern day shopping mall.
Eastlakes Shopping Centre Website
