Built on land that was previously the Pollok Centre dating from the late 1970s,[1] which itself replaced an unsuccessful development of tenement housing from the 1940s[2] the completed Silverburn opened for the first time on Thursday 25 October 2007, designed by BDP (architects), Stuart McTaggart (civil and structural engineers), Henderson Warnock (MEP & Utility Consultants) and constructed by Bovis Lend Lease.

It was the 1st naturally ventilated shopping mall in Scotland using a combination of wind catchers and underfloor heating to maintain comfort for shoppers.

It has been said that the name "Silverburn" evolved from a local consultation, as the Brock Burn which lies west of the site (with footbridges connecting to the Househillwood and Priesthill neighbourhoods) was famous for containing large quantities of shopping trolleys from the previous Tesco store and this is where the 'silver glint' came from;[6] the practice of abandoning trollies has continued.

[11] In 2013, a programme of expansion of the centre was begun, to include a Cineworld cinema and nine new restaurants,[12][13] completed in stages between late 2014 and mid 2015.

[18] A Silverburn mascot, a fox named Silvia, was introduced in 2018 following a competition between local primary school children.