Sudden death of Marina Mirage manager David Griffiths causes mall tenants to jump ship

A ritzy Gold Coast shopping centre could soon see its tenants jump ship after the sudden death of a much loved manager.

TENANTS at a ritzy Gold Coast shopping centre are threatening to jump ship because they say the death of the mall’s well-loved manager has left it “rudderless”.

Marina Mirage has lost several tenants recently including King Crab Co and Jack’s Coffee Roasters.

The closures followed the sudden death of much-admired centre manager David Griffiths on September 13. Marina Mirage marketing manager Chelsea Steber said he died in his sleep from natural causes.

The Main Beach centre, established in the early 1980s by the late Christopher Skase with 100 tenancies, has been without a manager for the past two months, and tenants say it has left the property lacking direction.

One tenant, who asked to be anonymous, said the problems go back to shortly after Mr Griffiths started in his position as manager.

Seaside Dining Group, the company behind the King Crab Co restaurant, has gone into liquidation. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We were promised they would renovate the whole centre. That was two years ago and they have not started,” the tenant said.

“There’s no clear direction about where the centre is heading.”

He said there has been a lack of contact from centre management with emails going unanswered.

The tenant said foot traffic outside of holiday periods was lacklustre.

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“The marketing is horrible. They do not do it. There’s a website and social media (but) from our point of view it’s hopeless. We do not get a mention.”

He said at least six tenants were considering leaving the centre, which would leave a gaping hole in the tenant profile.

“Everyone is trying to renegotiate their leases.”

Jack's Coffee Roasters has also closed its doors.. Picture Glenn Hampson

Another tenant said lease negotiations would be critical to the future of Marina Mirage.

Leasing rates at the up-market retail centre, which counts top restaurants Glass Dining & Lounge Bar and Omeros Bros as tenants, range from $700sq m up to $1000sq m for prime space.

Late last month the Bulletin reported on the closure of restaurant King Crab Co. It was open less than 12 months.

About the same time Jack’s Coffee Roasters, which also operated the Cricelato Artisan Gelato store, closed its doors.

Upstairs is a vacancy left by shoe retailer Nine West.

Ms Steber said a new centre manager was due to start on Monday.

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“Marina Mirage centre manager David Griffiths passed away unexpectedly on September 13,” she said.

“It came as a great shock to family, friends, and everyone at Marina Mirage from the tenants, to the staff, the owners and the management company. In the eight weeks since David’s passing, there has been an active recruitment process to fill the centre manager role.”

Ms Steber said there had been “active communication” with tenants since Mr Griffiths died.

”We thank tenants for their patience during this time.”

Several tenants have left.

She said the centre had a “proactive marketing strategy” that was producing results.

“Tenants across a number of categories reported increased sales for September versus the same time last year.”

Adelaide billionaire Con Makris paid $52 million for Marina Mirage, which has tenants including bespoke jeweller Calleija, Calvin Klein and Christensen Copenhagen, in 2013.

The centre last underwent a redevelopment, at a cost of $40 million, in 2009.

Last year Makris Group chief operating officer Jason Makris said a three-phase redevelopment, including a high-end marketplace, was in the pipeline but the planned refurbishments did not happen.