[8] The rapid expansion of Melbourne's suburbs following the Second World War caused significant population increases in the eastern parts of the metropolitan area.

Box Hill, previously a separate town, became more connected to the rest of the city and grew in importance as a regional centre.

A spate of further centralised shopping centres built in nearby Ringwood and Doncaster only heightened their concerns and accelerated plans for Box Hill to develop its own retail hub.

[10] An old timber yard in Clisby Street had been identified as a possible site for a large-scale development in 1961 which now became the focal point for a new shopping centre.

All tenancies within the centre were demolished, the development's layout and car parks were reconfigured, and there was major refurbishment of external and internal facades.

It outlined plans to move retail activity to the south side of the site, construct additional office and residential towers, and provide new open space.

Box Hill Central South provides 4,100 m2 (44,000 sq ft) of co-working office space[4] while the North houses a small number of medical facilities.

Box Hill Central has seven levels of undercover car parking spread across the south and north sections of the complex.

[4][3] Its two anchor tenants, Coles and Woolworths supermarkets, occupy 31% of the total leasable space of the South complex.

[18] Other mini major retailers in Box Hill Central include NQR, Priceline Pharmacy, Daiso and Dimmeys.