Quiksilver Byron Bay, near Main Beach, faces new development

It could be the end of another surf shop for Byron Bay as a high-profile restaurateur reveals his plans to develop the site.

A much-loved Byron Bay surf shop could be transformed into a beachfront restaurant if new development plans are approved.

Plans by Ardill Payne and Partners, on behalf of John Van Haandel, to change the iconic surf shop Quiksilver into a restaurant have been lodged with Byron Shire Council.

Mr Van Haandel is a high-profile Melbourne restaurateur and hospitality figure who also once owned adjacent ‘Beachie’ Beach Hotel.

The plans detail a $314,000 revamp for the envious Jonson St location, a stone’s throw away from Main Beach, and include alterations to create a kitchen area, a new deck facing Lawson St, and new sliding doors to allow outdoor dining.

The second storey two-bedroom units will remain untouched, the application notes.

It comes as the building went up for sale in July last year, with listings toting the space as “one of the most highly sought-after beachfront assets in Australia”.

The store was opened in 2012 by Danny Wills, a contestant in the Quiksilver Pro for more than 10 years, with a best third placing and many top-10 placings.

Over the years, its beachfront location has garnered attention from visitors and celebrities alike, attracting Chris Hemsworth and more.

The Quiksilver store on Jonson St has always been the envy of other business owners with its envious views of the famous Main Beach.

The development application stated the new restaurant would provide a “high degree of architectural merit and visual interest” with proposed compatibility to the character of the Byron CBD.

“The application proposes a change of use from a retail building to a restaurant fronting Jonson and Bay Streets with the use of natural materials and landscaping to assist in achieving a tourist-beach image,” the development application said.

First look at the plans for a restaurant at the Quiksilver store in Jonson St, Byron Bay. Picture: Harley Graham Architects.

The proposal assures residents the change will add to the “integrity, economic viability and social amenity” of the Byron region.

“There will likely be positive social and/or economic impacts resulting from improved visitor/tourist and commercial facilities in the CBD, and increased employment opportunities and multiplier effect on the local economy,” the application said.

The move is the newest in a line of Byron’s surf shops selling up and being redeveloped.

The Jonson St site of former surf shop Bay Action and current Surf Dive ’n Ski store was put up for sale in October last year.