The Canberra Centre, a three-storey shopping complex is Civic's main shopping precinct with a retail presence from the national chains David Jones, Myer and Big W department stores, as well as Coles and Aldi supermarkets, a Rebel sports store, several fashion outlets, and some eateries, among other businesses.

Garema Place and City Walk are open areas of Civic for pedestrian traffic with many outdoor cafes.

A light rail line terminates on Northbourne Avenue north of Alinga Street.

Before the development of the City of Canberra, there was no clear commercial centre for the area, other than nearby Queanbeyan.

The commercial centre was planned to be on what Griffin described as the Municipal Axis which was projected to run north-west from Mount Pleasant.

The Melbourne and Sydney buildings were based on design principles set by John Sulman in sketch form.

The buildings were the model which establish the colonnade principle, an important design element throughout Civic.

The Mediterranean influence was maintained by Kirkpatrick with Roman roof tiles and cast embellishments such as roundels.

The corner of West Row and London Circuit was built specifically for the Bank of New South Wales.

On 11 April 1953 the Melbourne Building was severely damaged by fire,[10] and the college relocated (it eventually became the Australian National University).

On 17 February 2014, the Sydney Building was significantly damaged by a fire which began with an explosion in a ground floor Japanese restaurant adjacent to East Row around 9.45 am.

Civic Square is sited within a primary axis of Griffin's design for Canberra which links City Hill and Mount Ainslie.

[16] The Canberra Theatre was opened in June 1965 with the Australian Ballet's production of Swan Lake.

"The NCDC intended that the work would emphasize that Canberra is the non-political centre, the locale of commerce and of private enterprise in its best sense."

The shallow saucer on which the figure stands represents Canberra's nick-name "Frosty Hollow".

At the feet of Ethos are indentations that represent the lake that was later to fill the space between the Civic Centre and the administrative part of the city.

The bursting sun she holds aloft is symbolic of culture and enlightenment which the presence of Canberra's University, its research organisations and the Diplomatic Corps and so on give to the city".

Other facilities included a refreshment kiosk, dressing sheds, private change booths and 800 lockers.

Garden plots and lawns covered with gay beach umbrellas surround the pools and a strikingly modern colour scheme, with deep blue predominating, on all exterior walls make an attractive setting".

Opened as the Monaro Mall in 1963, it was the first Australian three-storey, fully enclosed and air conditioned shopping centre.

A further redevelopment was completed by late 2007, substantially adding to the diversity of retailers and services within it including a Dendy Cinema complex.