Construction about to start on large shopping centre at quaint bayside hub
A shopping centre of a scale not seen before at a much-loved bayside hub is set to cater to the area’s surging population growth.
Redlands Coast
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Considerable population growth was the driving factor behind a soon-to-be-built shopping centre expected to change the retail landscape of a bayside centre, according to a developer.
Fox and Bell principal Garry Hargrave said with thousands of new homes to be built in Redland Bay over the next decade and an existing demand for a comprehensive shopping centre, the time was right for a ground-up refurbishment of the Redland Bay Shopping Village.
Ripples of shock ran through the community last week when IGA gave notice of its imminent closure at the Stradbroke and James streets site.
A local shopping stalwart for more than 30 years, it officially shut its doors for the last time on Sunday.
In its place – with construction raring to go next month – will be a full-sized Woolworths and a myriad of other new stores.
“Redland Bay is one of the fastest growing areas of Southeast Queensland,” Mr Hargrave said.
“This is set to continue with construction of the first stages of the Shoreline new township. “Shoreline will take over 10 years to complete and will add over 4,500 new residences.
“Residents have long been calling for a full line supermarket in Redland Bay which will service Redland Bay, Shoreline and the bay islands.
“The existing Redland Bay Village centre was refurbished in 2000 and is to be expanded to include additional shops and a Woolworths full line supermarket.”
To accomplish this 1,000 sqm of existing shops and seven houses in James Street will be demolished to accommodate a new 4,500 sqm building with undercover parking.
According to artist’s impressions the building will be a dramatic departure from the existing single storey structure.
A triple height foyer will greet shoppers at a building of comparably grand scale.
It comes as a seeming onslaught of new development in the area has concerned some.
Around the corner at Esplanade and Marine Street furious construction is already underway for another multi-level apartment building.
A massive redevelopment of Wynnum Creek and the Redland Bay Marina is itching to start.
And Redland City Council’s mammoth new car park for islanders and day-trippers has ruffled more than a few feathers.
However, Mr Hargrave assured redevelopment at the Redland Bay Village Shopping Centre will be done with care to its existing, quaint aesthetic.
“The popular focal point of the Stradbroke Street ‘main street’ will be retained and extended to James Street with additional cafes and expanded chemist and medical facilities,” he said.
“The construction necessitates the demolition of the existing supermarket.”
In its entirety the completed centre is slated to have 7,700 sqm of retail, cafes and offices with a “pop up” Woolworths supermarket to service the community during construction.
Mr Hargrave said Bronwyn Seeto of All Commercial Properties Qld is conducting an expression of interest campaign for prospective tenants.
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