Setting the stage for a new shopping standard in Sydney, Westfield Group unveiled on Thursday its $1.2 billion freshly-renovated commercial complex in the city's central business district, with the property developer announcing that the bar has been raised for the next level of shopping experience.

On hand to cut the ribbon during the formal opening ceremonies, Westfield managing director Stephen Lowry declared that the new Sydney centre would become the groups' flagship offering in the city, effectively eclipsing the company's previous accomplishment across Australia.

Set to be fully-operational by the early part of 2012, the whole shopping area consists of a seven-story mall with up to 250 stores that would cater to the fashion, food and other needs of Sydney mall rats.

The complex would also house Westfield's future corporate headquarters which will be located above the retail complex on Castlereagh Street, where according to Mr Lowry, the group "will be moving its corporate headquarters from our historic site on William Street in to the city, to live above the shop as it were."

Also, the property group endeavoured to put up glass corridors meant for pedestrians' use who wish to hop from one shop to another, gripping many in awe as one shopper mused on ABC that it was amazing how the complex was piece together which now rivals modern cities across the globe.

Westfield inaugurated the complex in time for Christmas, stating that more than a hundred stores would serve holiday shoppers with the new mall set to extend its trading hours during weekdays' peak hours.

Yet the flagship centre did not come about without any glitch as Westfield still faces damage suits from small business owners, claiming operational disruptions following long periods of construction that literally shut down a big chunk of the city centre.

However, Mr Lowry said that despite some legal tussles Westfield is purely excited to see through the complex's first stage of opening as he stressed that "it is especially pleasing we have been able to bring forward this first stage opening in six-month time."