[1] In 1968, Grace Bros purchased 16 acres of land in North Ryde with plans to build a $12 million shopping centre.

Rival department store David Jones had shown interest in the area and developed plans with Hooker Investment Corporation to build their own shopping centre known as Garden City on Epping Road, Macquarie Park on what was industrial land.

The initial development application made by Grace Bros was not approved by council and instead lodged with SPA which was later rejected.

Work began in March 1979 on the 9.4-hectare (23-acre) site adjoining the university when AMP agreed to become the majority shareholder and provide greater share of the finance for the $80 million shopping centre.

Further disputes continued with the demand for an additional $40 a week increase which was rejected and by July 1981, only a third of the required workforce were on the job.

The centre featured an Olympic sized ice rink, Grace Bros (rebranded to Myer in 2004), Big W, Target, Woolworths and 130 speciality stores.

In 1997, this area underwent a refurbishment, redoing the layout entirely and adding a sundial clock fountain, which was removed in 2015.

In 2000, the 'Escape' and 'Loft' areas were opened, which included a major facelift in 1999 to the centre's entrances, extra parking and new retail stores.

These included Borders (second store in Australia), BaySwiss, Dick Smith Powerhouse, Freedom and Wheel & Barrow.

The major retailers include David Jones, Myer, Big W, Kmart, Aldi, Coles, Woolworths, Cotton On, H&M, Uniqlo, Zara, JB Hi-Fi, Rebel, Fitness First, Timezone, Strike Bowling Bar, Macquarie Ice Rink and Event Cinemas.

The majority of its bus services are located in Herring Road in front of the shopping centre's main entrance.