Former Darrell Lea owner Tony Quinn unveils plans for former Gold Coast Bulletin site at Molendinar on the Gold Coast

Plans for the former site of the Gold Coast Bulletin newspaper have been revealed, with a businessman seeking a very specific type of tenant.

TONY Quinn, who kicked major goals with his VIP Petfoods and Darrell Lea chocolates businesses, is seeking a group that is into heavy lifting as he moves to capitalise on one of his newest Gold Coast property investments.

He is seeking a tenant for the printing press hall at the former Gold Coast Bulletin base at Molendinar, a long room with a 15-metre high roof.

A crane, which is on rails and runs the length of roof, can take a 25-tonne weight and was used to lift newsprint reels into place.

Rex Devantier, general manager of the Quinnfinity group, said the room was part of a 1000sq m floor that included service rooms and toilets.

Rex Devantier, general manager of the Quinnfinity group, inside the former printing press hall for the Gold Coast Bulletin in Molendinar.

“Ideally it would suit a marine, motor or specialised engineering business which could make use of the height of the building and the strength of the floor and walls.”

Mr Devantier said one tenant already had been found for the northern side of the 3364sq m print building, which is accessed off Industrial Ave and comprises loading docks, a factory and offices.

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Wood Marble and White, a manufacturer of high-end kitchens headed by former Londoner Leighton Ward, has taken a five-year lease, with a similar option, on 1300sq m.

Mr Devantier said Mr Quinn had decided to turn the balance of the Industrial Ave building, the area beneath the printing hall, into six man-caves.

Former RFG managing director Andre Nell pictured at the Bulletin site with the former printing press in the background. Photo: David Clark

It was hoped to lease the 100sq m ‘caves’ to people such as car collectors and people with ‘big boys toys’.

Mr Quinn bought the former Bulletin property, which comes with 240 carparks, from ASX-listed Retail Food Group for $6.5 million in December.

It is in two titles, one at 4 Industrial Ave and the other at 385 Nerang Rd which together span 2.39ha.

Mr Devantier said Mr Quinn was tossing around ideas for the Nerang Rd title.

“It’s a blank canvas and, if the right party came along, he might entertain undertaking a design-and-build project.”

Demolition work on the buildings on the 1.77ha title, which include the Bulletin’s original printing hall, is to start in early April.