Shopping centre owner Scentre Group opened the doors on Thursday to its first greenfield development, the 59,000sqm Westfield Coomera on the Gold Coast.

Over 40 per cent of the $470 million development is dedicated to dining, leisure and entertainment and services, including a two-level dining and entertainment precinct, market-style fresh food, quick eateries and a purpose-built recreational park, called The Backyard.

Scentre Group chief executive Peter Allen calls it the “living centre of the future”.

“Westfield Coomera exemplifies our purpose to create extraordinary places, connecting and enriching communities. As Scentre Group’s first greenfield development, it signifies a pivotal moment not just for our business, but sets a new standard for the industry,” he said.

“Having a blank canvas allowed us to reimagine the role of Westfield as social infrastructure and its place in the community, which we deliver today with this living centre of the future.”

The shopping centre is home to iPlay Adventure, a fun park including a Clip N Climb, high ropes course course and laser tag, and The Park, which features a putt-putt-meets-beer-garden-style venue, with a full bar and pizzeria, full-lane bowling, live music and more.

The Backyard is Coomera’s 2600sqm urban oasis, filled with tall trees, native flora and bright and colourful art sculptures. It includes kids play zones, scooter circuits for all ages, an interactive water play billabong, picnic tables and a built-in BBQ for communal use.

Complementing the shopping centre’s extensive dining, entertainment and leisure credentials, the new living centre also features Coles, Woolworths, Kmart, Target, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel and Event Cinemas, and a carefully curated fashion retailer mix. Universal Store, Bonds, City Beach, Pandora, Johnny Bigg and Rockwear were among the 140 specialty retailers open at launch, with H&M, Mecca Maxima and more to open soon.

Located in the growth corridor of the Northern Gold Coast, Westfield Coomera created almost 7500 jobs during construction and in retail on completion. It was delivered in partnership with QICGRE.

“Together with Scentre Group, we are pleased to deliver a truly transformative project within a region that continues to be recognised for its sustained growth and vibrancy. Our shared vision was to deliver a development that reflects the values and aspirations of the Northern Gold Coast,” Steven Leigh, managing director of QIC Global Real Estate, said.