Former Coles Mount Gambier site looking for new tenants

Will it be bulldozed to put up apartment buildings, reopened as a Target or transformed into something the city has never seen before. See what’s planned.

It’s one of the most talked about buildings in Mount Gambier – and it’s future use is one step closer to being determined.

The former Coles site won’t be bulldozed or replaced with Quest apartments with the owners committed to finding new tenants.

The deserted building is for lease by a joint effort from Savills Adelaide and locals Herbert Commercial, which are looking to fill the site with one or multiple retail or service providers.

Savills Adelaide retail leasing executive Frank Noto (second) with Matt Kain, Lauren Smith and Shae Landon from Herbert Commercial at the former Mount Gambier Coles site. Picture: Jessica Ball

Senior property consultant Matt Kain envisages the space will be completely transformed and fit out for a high-end retail or government or medical services.

“The owners have committed to continuing to develop the site,” Mr Kain said.

“They’re not selling it to be knocked down for some alternate redevelopment and it will be available for lease.

“A huge single tenant will be the ultimate goal but if that isn’t an immediate apparent solution, the owners are willing to look at dividing it up into smaller high-end retail, consulting and the like.”

A main street recovery was progressing pre-pandemic but Mr Kain said a renewed confidence in regional shopping and the city’s position within the SA border bubble had made Mount Gambier an attractive location for businesses previously looking to invest in regional Victoria.

Inside the former Mount Gambier Coles building. Picture: Jessica Ball

Plus he believes the other most talked about building in town – the Wulanda Recreation & Convention Centre – will further put the state’s second largest city on the map.

“The main street was transitioning from being a retail hub to being a true CBD with consulting and restaurant food and coffee,” he said.

“Now we’ve got more opportunities for success for retail offerings to set up.

Savills Adelaide retail leasing executive Frank Noto (second) with Matt Kain, Lauren Smith and Shae Landon from Herbert Commercial at the former Mount Gambier Coles site. Picture: Jessica Ball

“For a large retail organisation that currently doesn’t have their store in Mount Gambier that will put us on the radar.”

Despite the East End migration, Mr Kain said the supermarket’s departure hadn’t created a “dead patch” and the site would attract businesses or services not currently available in Mount Gambier.

“It’s certainly not tumbleweeds blowing through the carpark by any means,” he said.

“Historically, all the most valuable, useful buildings in a regional centre are former supermarket stores.

“Buildings this size aren’t built and are very expensive to build so unless you’ve got someone as well-backed and resourced as a supermarket chain, you don’t get the opportunity to have building like this in town.”