Cinema, leagues club revamp lead the top developments on Brisbane’s bayside this year

Wynnum Manly’s development boom continues to reach new heights and we reveal the projects which have changed the bayside in 2022 and the people behind them. SEE THE LIST

An old demographic, a lack of progress – forget the old tags which used to plague the Brisbane bayside suburbs of Wynnum Manly – the area has now changed forever.

The bayside has seen a development boom in recent years never experienced before in its long and rich history and 2021 was no different.

While there were developments all over the bayside, from townhouse communities, luxury residential towers and more – there are some which have, or will have, a huge impact on the bayside as a whole.

So as we close in on another year, where more significant developments are on the way, we have picked the top projects completed this year which have changed the face of Brisbane’s bayside.

See the full list about the projects and the people behind them below.

WYNNUM CINEMA

The most historic development to hit Wynnum in recent history is the long-awaited cinema.

Decades in the making, local developers Berrima Develop Pty Ltd decided to finally make it happen, partnering with Majestic Cinemas to build the $35 million entertainment venue accompanied by 66 apartments as part of the Lato Baia complex.

The Wynnum Cinema and Lato Baia apartment complex. Picture: Hutchinson Builders

The development was initially approved by the Brisbane City Council in 2018, construction on what Justin Ham from Berrima Develop, who also owns the Waterloo Bay Hotel, Wynnum Shopping Centre and Gumdale Tavern, described as the “biggest project” of his life started in 2019.

Developer Justin Ham poses for a photograph at the site of new Wynnum Cinema before it was built. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

After some delays due to the Covid pandemic, the operator of the 500-seat cinema was announced at an exclusive party, attended by the likes of Wally Lewis, in February this year followed by the official opening of the venue in March.

The project is at the centre of Mr Ham’s aim to transform the Wynnum CBD into an entertainment destination following the opening of more than 40 new businesses in the area since the Covid pandemic.

WYNNUM MANLY LEAGUES CLUB

The biggest facelift in the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club’s 40-year history is another development which has changed the face of the bayside in 2021.

A project worth more than $10 million, the redevelopment of the iconic venue on Wondall Rd at Manly West included works on the famous Kougari Oval, the home of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, a new cafe and bar as well as a new lounge bar and reception.

The Wynnum Manly Leagues Club after its $10m revamp. Picture: Cayas Architects

Despite having to stand down more than 100 staff members when the Covid pandemic hit, the lockdown actually sped up the works on the Leagues Club.

The Wynnum Manly Leagues Club after its $10m revamp. Picture: Cayas Architects

The finished product was complete in April with Wynnum Manly now boasting one of the top Leagues Clubs around the state.

It also came after the Leagues Club finished revamp works on their Fielders venue in Tingalpa in 2019.

The Wynnum Manly Leagues Club after its $10m revamp. Picture: Cayas Architects

Wynnum Manly Leagues Club CEO Craig Thomas said the redevelopment would not only give members better facilities but would also allow the club to give back more to the community after contributing more than $1 million to local groups and organisations in 2019.

The Dean family with Cr Peter Cumming celebrating the opening of the Stradbroke Ave childcare centre.

STRADBROKE Ave CHILDCARE CENTRE

The next project to feature on our list is the biggest childcare centre in the bayside area.

With more than 150 spaces for children and from local developers, the Dean family, the centre on Wynnum’s Stradbroke Ave finished being built late this year and is currently taking vacancies for 2022.

The centre, which was approved by the Brisbane City Council in 2019, is part of more than $10 million worth of childcare centre projects from Roland Dean and Ryland Pty Ltd with one also approved for Ernest St, Manly.

At the corner of 2327 Wynnum Rd and 200 Stradbroke Ave, the centre is at the site of a formerly Church-owned building and was previously a boarding house.

Edge Early Learning have also been announced as the operators of the centre.

Roland Dean from Ryland Pty Ltd.

Situated at the Stradbroke Rd entrance to the Wynnum State School, the centre will bring an additional 152 childcare places for the bayside community.

The project features four rooms for children as well as two sleep areas, an outdoor dining area, an arts are and 30 carpark spaces.

The centre is part of a massive childcare boom on the bayside and in Brisbane’s southeast.

Mr Dean said he believed childcare was undersupplied in the area by half.

“Parents want more and with the resurgence in demographic as far as more young families in the area, it’s what the market wants, you can’t have one without the other,” Mr Dean said in February.

IONA COLLEGE’S PROVENCE CENTRE

The last development to feature on our list to have changed the face of Brisbane’s bayside this year is a landmark moment for Brisbane catholic school, Iona College.

Lindum’s Iona College experienced one of its biggest moments in the school’s 63-year history as they opened their doors on their new $20 million multipurpose building called the Provence Centre.

The Provence Centre is a 2500-seat arena, which includes indoor multipurpose sports courts to be used for college and community gatherings as well as signature sporting events and opened in August after 14 months of construction.

The project, which is being built by Tompkins Commercial Builders and was 35 years in the making, was also fully-funded by the Iona College community without any funding from the Federal or State Government.

“Iona is very pleased that through Tompkins, the builder, 20 per cent of the entire construction went to Iona affiliated families and 35 per cent of the construction was secured locally within 10km of Lindum and the bayside,” Iona College rector, Fr Michael Twigg, said.

“The college fully anticipates that many local schools and community groups will feel at home here as well.

Iona College's new $20m Provence Centre.

“Approximately 400 workers have contributed to the construction and this has benefited our local community greatly during the pandemic.

“It is our hope that the Provence Centre is a place where the Iona and bayside communities will gather for celebrations, commemorations, performances and sporting events as we continue to honour all who have contributed to the foundations on which Iona is built.”

More bayside schools are set for revamps in 2022 with planned redevelopments at the Darling Point Special School and Manly State School.