Owners YFG Shopping Centres are working on a masterplan that could finally see the Southport property capitalise on its unique waterfront position by extending its food court out across Marine Parade.
The masterplan is also likely to include the addition of more levels.
In the meantime, the centre is about to begin work on the second phase of a massive refurbishment program that has already seen $16 million spent upgrading the Australia Fair Metro building on the western side of Scarborough Street.
The centre will spend $25 million upgrading the main Australia Fair building on the eastern side of Scarborough St.
Australia Fair general manager Ramon Otten said work would begin next month and would include a new facade for the Scarborough St entrance and an upgrade of part of the ground floor shopping area.
“The work is in line with what we’ve done at Metro and goes from Scarborough Street to Fig Tree Court,” he said.
The Fig Tree Food Court will disappear for good as part of the renovations as the alfresco dining area makes way for an expanded Coles supermarket with an in-store butcher, seafood outlet and bakery.
Coles’ retail space will expand from 3400sq m to 4222sq m as part of the Australia Fair revamp.
The work will take Coles’ retail space from 3400sq m to 4222sq m.
Kmart Australia recently upgraded its store while the rebranded Event Cinemas has refurbished its facilities to include a new foyer area, designer seats and renovated Gold Class lounges.
A host of other national retailers are either relocating or investing in new fit-outs including City Beach and Ally Fashion, while management is currently securing new retailers.
New amenities on the ground floor will open by the end of the week in preparation for the overhaul of the ground floor concourse.
Australia Fair’s renovation announcment comes as shoppers rush to catch a glimpse of the new-look Pacific Fair Shopping Centre at Broadbeach.
The current revamp is expected to be completed by mid-2017.
Mr Otten said the centre was committed to providing an improved experience for shoppers, while also playing a key role in the revitalisation of the Southport CBD.
“We’re doing some masterplanning and concepts for future stages,” he said.
“Certainly, we’re looking at what we do in the medium to long term with the centre.
“We’re been developing some concepts to maximise our location but we’re not in a position to announce anything further at this stage.
“I don’t think at this stage anything substantial would be possible before 2018.”
The property is one of 19 centres YFG owns in Queensland.
Robina Town Centre has also announced a multi-million dollar food precinct.
“It’s the only waterfront property and certainly the largest in the portfolio and it’s the only one on the Gold Coast,” Mr Otten said.
“It’s probably the one that has the most potential.”
Area councillor Dawn Crichlow said the centre’s owners had met with council planners to discuss expansion plans.
“They want to build out over Marine Parade so that the traffic goes underneath and can still go into Australia Fair,” she said.
“By building it over, the will have a massive area all the way along there with a food hall and a good view over the Broadwater Parklands.
“They will build the office tower higher too.
“They’ve shown the town planners and now they’ve gone away to do drawings and lodge it.”
Original article published at www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au by Suzanne Simonot & Alister Thomson 12/8/16