Agents fight for space as long awaited momentum arrives at little known Redlands business park
Built years ago with grand ambitions to tie in with a $2 billion development, a hidden-away southeast Queensland business location has come into its own, while other parts of the region continue to struggle through the coronavirus pandemic.
Redlands Coast
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A LITTLE-known business park is bucking trend amid the COVID-19 downturn as leasing agents scramble to get a piece of its action.
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Built seven years ago to coincide with the $2 billion, 10,000-resident Shoreline development, Redlands Business Park (RBP) was left floundering when Shoreline failed to gain immediate approval.
However, local leasing agents report there has been a distinct uptick in interest as Shoreline gains momentum.
“At the start of the year we realised we had to be involved at the park,” Ray White Commercial Bayside sales and leasing executive Jonathon Burrowes said.
“And we don’t take on things that aren’t going to move.”
A quick dash through the park last week revealed some eight properties for lease, but Mr Burrowes assured many of these were already under negotiation.
“We have never been more low on stock; there aren’t many options where three or four years ago I was sending you a half dozen to a dozen options,” Mr Burrows said.
“And just about in any market: office, retail or industrial because not everyone is looking for between 50 and 500 sqm either.
“So while people may think there is a lot of stock out there, there is actually not.
“Between us and our competitors we are all scrambling for stock.”
Sales agent for RBP Nicole Plath confirmed a change in momentum had occurred.
“Since everyone has gotten wind of the Shoreline project, and that is what the Redlands Business Park was built for, interest has markedly increased,” Ms Plath said.
“The business park has stood its own without the influx of the new estate coming in however it is now kicking off.
“Because if they are a small business that is manoeuvring to take advantage of the Shoreline estate they will want their business somewhere and where else but the beautiful business park?”
Situated at 678 German Church Road, Redland Bay the park caters to a variety of businesses, from the niche and obscure to nationally recognised operations.
Visitors are greeted at the entrance by The Park Social cafe which is enjoying a growing reputation in Redland Bay for its fresh take on time-honoured classics.
Keep going and you’ll find Ozrica Foods, a specialist outlet offering Biltong, Biltong sticks, Boerewors, Drywors and other South African products.
And across from them you’ll find the Pre Loved Shack where bargain hunters or savvy designers can indulge in a treasure trove of “pre loved” goods and furniture.
There are also well-known brands like Reece bathrooms suppliers and once little known companies that have since forged stellar reputations.
KRE Race Engines, run by Ken and Wendy McNamara, started as a backyard passion project and is today renowned for building race winning engines run by numerous Speedway and Supercar teams throughout Australia and New Zealand.
All of which has led to councillor for Division 6, Julie Talty, to acknowledge the park’s long-awaited coming-of-age.
“RBP was a little bit ahead of its time; it had been established before the population base had reached a point where it would support its business model but it seems to have very much come into its own in the last year or two,” Cr Talty said.
“The businesses that are in there are really good at doing local promotion and I think the community has turned its thoughts to supporting local and there is a lot of good will for the businesses.”
The councillor said with significant population growth expected a need for quality business parks will become only more pronounced.
“Certainly over the next 10 years there will be an increased demand and council has to plan for that,” Cr Talty said.
“We actually need more commercial and showroom space in the planning scheme than we have currently.”
Cr Talty said council is currently applying for more prominent signage for the park on German Church Road.