Built in the 1960s to replace buildings erected in the 18th and 19th centuries, most of the original structure (e.g. the Angus Hotel) was demolished and redeveloped from 1998 to 2000.

Two levels of retail units are enclosed by a long curved glass elevation looking out to the historic City Churches where a pedestrian precinct remains.

It was designed by Ian Burke, Hugh Martin & Partners in 1963 and hailed as the first comprehensive town-centre development of its type in Scotland.

It included public sculpture panels in concrete and painted steel (depicting women in traditional market scenes) by Ian Eadie.

Abandoned by the more fashionable chainstores when the Wellgate Centre (an enclosed mall) opened in 1978, it became much neglected and run-down within a decade.

However, with the exception of the City House office block (which retains its original facade), this older section was refurbished and reclad to seamlessly match the newly built main body.

In 2006, permission was granted to expand and, in 2008, Dundee City Council moved tenants out of flats next to the centre to facilitate the project.