The Lanes: Gold Coast Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle opposes Panthera Group proposal for $1bn Mermaid Waters project
Ambitious plans to build a $1bn shopping centre and residential complex are facing opposition from some of the Gold Coast’s most prominent business figures. FIND OUT MORE
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Ambitious plans to build a $1bn shopping centre and residential complex in Mermaid Waters are facing opposition from some of the Gold Coast’s most prominent business figures.
Gold Coast Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle has come out against a development application put forward by Panthera Group for The Lanes.
The company, headed by CEO Mario Evangelo, lodged plans over the weekend for a new mixed-use project which will have a shopping centre topped with three towers.
It would replace an already approved shopping centre plan put forward by Sunland Group in 2017.
Ms Frizelle owns much of the land surrounding the proposed development with fellow Titans co-owner Darryl Kelly and says they contractually have the sole right to build residential property on the land, which was formerly owned by Sunland.
Ms Frizelle said both she and the Kelly family had invested in the site because of this exclusivity and on the basis that Panthera Group would have a “contractual obligation” to build the shopping centre as originally proposed.
“Disappointingly for all owners, this obligation has not been fulfilled by Panthera Group, who are now seeking to completely change the existing Master Plan and the contractual obligations without the consent of associated lot owners,” she said.
“The registered Building Management Statement (BMS), jointly covering our site and the retail precinct, clearly states that the Panthera site is restricted to the existing approved shopping centre only.
“Any changes to this BMS will require approval from all associated lot owners.
“We completely understand and support the need for more housing on the Gold Coast. However, there are legal, planning and development rules in place that need to be addressed in the first instance. Panthera are acutely aware of these existing obligations.”
The towers, which are earmarked for a site on the corner of Bermuda St and Hooker Boulevard, would range from 15-28 floors and would have a total of 700 units.
Mr Evangelo hit back, saying he believed Pathera was within its rights to pursue the “improved” development.
“Our new development is over land that Panthera owns. We do not require Ms Frizelle’s consent,” he said.
“Our new development application considers the future evolving needs of the Gold Coast and its community, all while providing the retail outcome that Sunland had promised.
“ … We look forward to working closely with Gold Coast City Council on our application.”
Council approved Sunland’s proposal for a shopping centre on the site in February 2021 but ground never broke and the site was sold to Panthera in October 2021.
Sunland co-founder Soheil Abedian declined to comment when approached by the Bulletin.
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Originally published as The Lanes: Gold Coast Titans co-owner Rebecca Frizelle opposes Panthera Group proposal for $1bn Mermaid Waters project
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