Kirra redevelopment reimagined after buy-up

Plans to overhaul a sleepy Gold Coast suburb have been super-sized, with developers snapping up more land for the $275 million project.

LONG-RUNNING plans to radically overhaul the site of a popular pub in Kirra have been modified after developers snapped up two neighbouring properties.

The proposal to redevelop Kirra Beach Hotel at the corner of Miles Street and Marine Parade into a “world-class neighbourhood centre” with apartment blocks would cost about $275 million.

Once given the go-ahead, construction would be undertaken in three stages, occurring over 18 months to two years per section, said development director Jeremy Holmes.

Mr Holmes, of KTQ Developments, said one major change to the plans would be ditching a chain supermarket for boutique retailers.

“We acquired two properties which weren’t in the original design. So we essentially — with the exception of one little apartment building on the corner — we now own the whole block,” he said.

“It means the whole design can be less constrained. We can design around the building and have the whole Marine Pde frontage to work with now. It made sense to redesign it.”

Kirra Beach Hotel render for newly configured tower and hospitality laneways

Mr Holmes said the project will still include a 15-storey apartment building, a 10-storey apartment building “and a hotel that connects the two”.

“We’ve still got all of those same pieces, but getting this extra piece of land just enabled us to spread the development out a bit more,” he said.

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“One key difference is we previously had a three-level podium and it was a shopping mall, but we’ve actually taken the whole podium out now, and it’s a laneway and piazza that runs through. It’s got a more casual feel.

“Our vision is to create an approachable food and retail neighbourhood centre where you can visit a butcher or fruit shop, grab a beer or cocktail after work, or enjoy lunch or dinner in one of the several dining outlets all with spectacular views to Surfers Paradise.”

The hotel will be “still at the heart of the site as a two-level venue”, with a rebuilt pub on the ground and a rooftop bar and dining above.

The new design will make the resort hotel more prominent from the street and the number of rooms proposed has been dropped from 99 to 78, increasing their size.

Community consultation sessions will be held at the hotel from today (Monday) to Wednesday. Register online at kbhproject.com.au.

COMMUNITY CONSULTATION

•Friday, March 15: 12pm, 2pm and 4pm

•Saturday, March 16: 11am, 1pm and 3pm

•Tuesday, March 19: 4pm and 6pm

•Wednesday, March 20: 9am and 11am