Two years after shock closure of popular Gold Coast NightQuarter, site could become new McDonalds

For the two years since a sharp rent increase forced the shock shutdown of the Gold Coast’s popular NightQuarter, the land has sat vacant. Now a fast-food giant has its eyes on a major development at the site.

“Social distance fairy” Jacinta Joy spreads cheer at NightQuarter’s new location on the Sunshine Coast.

• NIGHTQUARTER'S COLOURFUL BEGINNING IN ITALY
• COAST LOSES UNIQUE LIVE MUSIC VENUE

TWO years after popular street food markets and live music venue NightQuarter was shut down over a rent hike, the site remains a vacant gravel pit.

But this sight for sore eyes may soon be a site for more fries, with fast food giant McDonald’s said to be circling.

NightQuarter’s owners were overwhelmed by support from the community after they announced the shock closure of the venue, which had drawn crowds of between 5000-7500 every Friday and Saturday night.

Michelle Christoe and Ian Van der Woude walked away from the successful venture after the landlords effectively doubled the rent to around $400,000 a year.

NightQuarter Owners Ian Van der Woude and Michelle Christoe.

The 1.06ha block at 1 Town Centre Dr Helensvale is jointly owned by State-owned Queensland Investment Corporation and Westfield shopping centre operator Scentre Group, both directly and through subsidiary RE1 Ltd.

Scentre did not want to reveal any plans for the Helensvale site, which sits between the Gold Coast Highway and Helensvale train station.

“1 Town Centre Drive remains an important part of Westfield Helensvale,” said a statement from Westfield Helensvale.

“The precinct has hosted a number of entertainment and retail experiences including markets, a circus and the Queensland State Fair. We have no further updates at this stage.”

McDonalds would not elaborate on speculation it had been mulling a deal to buy the corner site, with plans to also host a 7-11 and a KFC.

“McDonald’s continues to consider a range of potential opportunities throughout the Gold Coast and no decisions have been finalised regarding 1 Town Centre Drive at this time,” the company said in a statement.

The former NightQuarter site at Helensvale. Photo: Jason O'Brien

A new McDonalds may be coming to Helensvale.

FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

NightQuarter subsequently relocated the entire venture to Birtinya on the Sunshine Coast, taking the economic benefits and many of the vendors with them.

Two years on from the shock announcement, which left the valuable site desolate and tenant free, Ms Christoe said the closure remained upsetting.

“I was devastated when I drove past it the other day.

“It’s sad looking back now because more effort could have gone into helping us.

“So much passion went into that site.”

Gold Coast North Chamber of Commerce president Gary Mays said it was disappointing such a high-profile site had been left empty.

“It’s been a great pity that it’s taken so long for the venue to be replaced,” he said.

“We would hope they would make some valuable use of it – sooner rather than later.”

Food court at NightQuarter, now on the Sunshine Coast.

NightQuarter’s owners faced significant costs to relocate the site to the Sunshine Coast, where they were almost immediately hit by restrictions caused by COVID-19.

“It’s been a difficult journey, having to close, go through the move and then go through the stages of building again.

“We were delayed six months with COVID, but the community has really embraced us and it’s tracking really well.”

The husband-and-wife team launched NightQuarter with its $3 entry fee and array of world cuisine, bars, market stalls and entertainment as “a festival every weekend” in November 2015. It was successful from the beginning.

NightQuarter’s Sunshine Coast iteration booked Ocean Alley and What So Not.

The entrepreneurs say they ploughed millions into making it one of the most sought-after mid-sized live music venues in Australia and the only one of its type on the Gold Coast.

Since opening in 2015, the venue has hosted more than 50 concerts with major touring acts, ranging from RUFUS, SAFIA, UB40, Ministry of Sound, and The Angels through to Amy Shark and The Cat Empire.

NightQuarter’s owners say the venue sold 55,000 tickets and attracted some 1.5 million to ticketed events since opening.

Follow @Kathleenskene