Campaign launched on Gold Coast to preserve the historic Southport general store which dates to 1890s

ONE of Southport’s oldest buildings is set to be demolished to make way for student accommodation in the latest redevelopment of a historic landmark.

The Queen St Convenience Store could be bulldozed as a campaign to save the historic building kicks off. Picture Glenn Hampson

ONE of Southport’s oldest buildings is set to be demolished to make way for student accommodation in the latest redevelopment of a historic landmark.

The Queen Street Convenience Store, which has been a Southport icon for more than 120 years, was sold for $1 million, with plans to replace it with high-density accommodation within three years.

Southport’s historic store, featured in an undated picture.

But a grassroots campaign to preserve the 19th century building has sprung up, with proponents warning that its demolition would be a blow to the city’s identity and the loss of an irreplaceable structure.

Longtime locals have taken to social media calling for the building to be saved because of its historic value.

The Queen St Convenience Store has sold for $1.09 million. The building is one of the oldest in Southport. Picture Glenn Hampson

Area councillor Dawn Crichlow confirmed she was aware of the building’s impeding demolition and said she was would do everything in her power to save it.

Cr Crichlow, who played an instrumental role in preserving the old Southport Hospital chape, said she would investigated relocating the old general store.

“There is nothing we can do to stop the site being developed but I will fight to relocate it if possible to Owen Park where there are other historic buildings,” she said.

Councillor Dawn Crichlow says she will fight to save the store. Photo: Jerad Williams

“Even though it is not heritage listed, it is an important part of Southport’s identity and something we should not lose.

“By having it down at Owen Park we could have our very own historic general store which would be just the cutest thing.”

Cr Crichlow said other options could include a development condition that would require the store’s facade retained as part of any new development, if relocation proved impossible.

It comes just days after demolition began on fellow historic Southport icon, The Star of the Sea

The building was sold last week for $1.09 million by long-time owners James and Jennifer London through their company Firemaster (Australia).

Colonial Store at 62 Queen Street, Southport, Queensland, circa 1970s [picture] / George Litfin, photographer. Source: Gold Coast Local Studies Library.

There are now plans for an eight-level medium-rise building with 3353 sq m of floor area.

It will feature 70 rooms with room for 112 people as well as ground-level facilities for residents.

However, demolition could be delayed until 2019 with the store’s existing tenancy running for a further three years.

Committee for Southport chairman John Howe, who led the restoration of the historic Southport Ambulance Station, backed the push to save the store.

He said the building could play an important role in the celebration of the Southport’s centennial as a township in 2018.

“Saving that building is something I am supportive of,” he said.

Chairman of the Committee of Southport John Howe with the historic Southport ambulance building. Picture by Scott Fletcher

“There are all sorts of things we could use it for during the anniversary.”

Controversy has surrounded the demolition of several historic Gold Coast buildings, including the iconic Miami Ice.

Despite efforts from then-area councillor Greg Betts to save the building, it was demolished in late 2013 and the site remains empty today, with plans for a high rise on the land.

Jim Cavill’s historic Surfers Paradise Hotel was demolished in the early 1980s despite being the area’s most famous structure.

The iconic Miami Ice building was completely demolished.

City Gallery curator Virginia Rigney said the many of the Gold Coast’s historic buildings had been demolished without consideration of their historical nature or potential for future use.

“What is sad is seeing buildings like Miami Ice get demolished and then have the vacant land just sitting there,” she said.

“Buildings like that or the El Dorado could have had another life and it is sad their owners were frightened into making quick decision to demolish rather than discuss what else could be done.

El Dorado Motel, Surfers Paradise, circa 1958. It was the area’s first hotel and was later demolished.

“There is no question the Gold Coast will constantly change, it is the city’s greatest constant but there is a growing community recognition that there is important not just in preserving things in cotton wool but engaging with them as places which can be retained with quality within the urban landscape and can have new lives.”