Maroochydore CBD: $45m retail development ready to open

A major retailer is set to open a $30m flagship store in Maroochydore this week marking the first stage of a developer’s $100m investment into the city centre.

The world’s largest Spotlight store is one of two national retailers to open on the Sunshine Coast this month, part of a developer’s $100m, four-stage investment into the Maroochydore city centre.

Spotlight Property Group is set to unveil its largest flagship store in the world in Maroochydore on a previously vacant block of land in the new CBD.

Following 12 months of construction, the group will open its $45m retail development on Wednesday.

The development includes a 11,000sq m retail precinct which houses national branded tenants including Spotlight, Anaconda and Harris Scarfe.

Spotlight Property Group executive deputy chairman Zac Fried.

Spotlight Group executive deputy chairman Zac Fried said the store was a key milestone for the group.

Mr Fried said the development had generated hundreds of jobs, many of which would continue to be supported.

He said the Spotlight store, at 6000sq m, was the largest store in the world.

“This development has been years in the making and demonstrates our confidence in the growth and opportunities to be found on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Fried said.

Mr Fried said the second stage was set start soon given a high demand for retail tenancies.

He said the company would liaise with the council to secure approvals for its future stages of the investment which included tourism, hospitality and office spaces.

“We are very proud of this collective and unprecedented project and are committed to further investment on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

Harris Scarfe Maroochydore opened on Thursday, February 10 and would provide 28 employment opportunities.

Speaking to this publication in November, 2020, Mr Fried said the four-stage investment would total a “couple of hundred million” dollars.

Mr Fried said the second stage would be service-based and feature an operator new to the region and a childcare option.

He said the third and fourth stages would be commercial, hotel or residential towers up to the eight-storey limit for that section of the city centre.

The Maroochydore City Centre development is a joint project between Sunshine Coast Council, Walker Corporation and SunCentral Maroochydore.

Mr Fried said he was excited by Walker Corporation’s long term vision for the region.