Gold Coast development: Rooftop bar overlooking Palm Beach Light Rail revealed

One of the Gold Coast’s most prominent Italian restaurants is about to transform, with some particularly unusual features to be added.

The owners of a busy Italian restaurant want to build a rooftop bar overlooking the future route of the light rail.

Balboa Italian owners Eddie and Cherie Uzan have filed an application with the Gold Coast City Council to build a third level on their red-brick building at Palm Beach.

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It will overlook the Gold Coast Highway and feature a bar, seated dining and fountain.

“Due to the success of the restaurant, the applicant seeks to add a third-level extension to the building which will facilitate a new dining option for patrons of Balboa Italian,” a report on the project reads.

New external stairs and a lift will also be added to the restaurant, which opened in 2016.

The existing rooftop will be demolished to make way for the expansion; the interior layout of the restaurant will be altered and revamped during the construction works.

The proposed expansion will go before the council this year.

FAMED STEAK HOUSE CLOSURE

A Burleigh eatery will serve its signature steak for the final time this week after more than six years – but plans to transform the site are already underway.

Harry’s Steak Bistro & Bar on Gold Coast Hwy will shut for good on Sunday as its new owners look to begin renovations in preparation for a new venture.

In its place will be a “modern-style pub” catering to every man, woman and dog, says Rabble Group co-owner and manager Steve Heincke, who will operate the venue alongside firm director and brother Wes.

Harry’s Steak Bistro & Bar at Burleigh will have its final day of trading on Sunday. Picture: Adam Head

Rabble bought the eatery 16 months ago with intention to renovate and launch its first-ever Queensland venue, fit with a beer garden.

“We found out that Harry’s was for sale and it just made sense,” Mr Heincke said. “We saw the opportunity and took it. Burleigh is such a booming area, there’s so much happening here.

“Obviously, there were a few things that got in the way of the momentum of us undertaking those renovations – borders, Covid in general.

The wall dividing Harry’s Bar and it’s restaurant will be knocked down in the renovations. Picture: Adam Head

“It’s sad for the locals that have been coming here for years as it’s been a bit of an institution in the area, but for us it’s exciting. All the Harry’s locals who have visited from near and far will love it.

“(The beer garden) is something that will be unique to Burleigh. The site itself has a big area out the back which has been really under-utilised.”

Harry's Steak Bistro & Bar owners Steve and Wes Heincke. Picture: Kaitlyn Smith

The wall dividing Harry’s restaurant and its offshoot bar will be removed, while alfresco dining and its dog-friendly policy will remain: “We’re making it one big space,” he said.

“We’re really excited, we’ve had a little bit of time to think about it.

A range of steaks., schnitzels, parmas and seafood will be on offer at the new ‘modern-style’ pub. Picture: Adam Head

“The kitchen and the bar will sort of remain the same, we’re not really changing the structure.

Another thing that will remain the same is the team’s dedication to serving up quality dishes.

“There’ll be plenty of modern pub food: steaks, schnitzels, parmas, but also plenty of seafood and plenty of sharing options,” he said.

“We won’t be competing with surf clubs, we’ll be doing it in a bit more refined in a way and also have our weekly specials.”