The mall opened at 1632 14 Ave N.W. in June 1958, offering about 30 stores and services. Hailed as the largest shopping centre in Western Canada at the time, it transformed the shopping experience for Calgarians. "It was revolutionary to have a mall and to have late-night shopping and all of that kind of stuff that is just quite normal for us now," said (spokeswoman Paula) Newhold. "The real experience was that it was all in one place - that was the interesting thing."〔''North Hill Centre turns 50'' (article by Tarina White, Calgary Sun, 19 September 2008)〕