Gold Coast Development: Popular Palm Beach cafe to be demolished for new tower

A beloved Gold Coast cafe will soon be demolished to make way for a beachside tower in a booming southern suburb. It’s the latest in a series of major projects planned for the transforming area.

A BELOVED local cafe will soon be demolished to make way for another tower in a booming southern suburb.

Palm Beach cafe Spikexx Espresso could soon make way for an eight-level, 76 unit high-rise development, according to a council development application.

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Artist impression of a Palm Beach tower proposed by the Drew Group. Picture: Drew Group.

Owner Marc “Spike” Neumann opened the cafe as Hendrixx early 2016 before he was slapped with a cease and desist from the Hendrix estate, when he changed the cafe name to Spikexx.

The building, which dates back to the 1950s, perfectly complemented his Hendrix theme — something he fears few other spaces on the Gold Coast will have the character to pull off if the new developments continue.

“About three months ago my landlord came to me and said they’re getting some ridiculous offers they couldn’t refuse,” he said.

SHOCK TURNAROUND IN PALM BEACH DEVELOPMENT

Marc "Spike" Neumann at his Palm Beach cafe Spikexx. The block of land has been bought by developers meaning he will soon have to leave.

FEARS PALM BEACH WILL LOSE ITS CHARM

“I’ll probably have another seven or eight months.

“I’m pretty devastated about it because I love this space. I love coming to work.

“Palm Beach is losing a lot of its history. Older houses are slowing going replaced by duplexes.

“A lot of the hotels or motels that had their own character, they’re all gone.

“All going for development high-rises.

“But if there is a demand for it then what can you do?”

COAST MUST EMBRACE HIGH-DENSITY LIVING

The site today.

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Locally based developer Drew Group are behind the eight-level tower on a prime 2198 sqm site, which will front Palm Beach Ave and Jefferson Lane.

The boutique tower will have 76 units and three terraces.

Drew Group Managing Director, Jonathan Drew said it was important to retain Palm Beach’s character.

“Palm Beach is a unique coastal suburb where a mix of residents interact and share in its unique location between Burleigh Headland, Tallebudgera Creek, Currumbin Headland and the Alley,” he said.

The development application was made before Christmas.

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It has evolved significantly over the past few years, with a number of high quality projects moving forward, and an array of trendy new bars and eateries opening up.

“It was a priority for the design to capture the spirit of the pristine beachside suburb and its trendy village atmosphere and there’s no better way to achieve this than to engage with Palm Beach locals.”

Area councillor Daphne McDonald, a staunch opponent to high-density development in Palm Beach, said she was keeping a close eye on all new projects.

“I will closely look at the density, how high they are going and the frontages,” she said.

The tower’s entrance.

“What we have seen in recent times are designs which are very similar to each other and detracts from the whole character of Palm Beach.

“We are just becoming like any other city without any character of our own, the character that distinguishes all our little villages.

“The majority of Gold Coast community are sick of this.”

What’s coming to Palm Beach:

1:

Artist impression of Pex Projects’ tower.

Pex Projects is planning a 10-storey tower for The Esplanade

The tower would replace two existing single-storey towers and will have 45 units across its nine residential levels with 15 bedrooms.

2:

Sunland Group’s new Palm Beach development, Magnoli Apartments.

Sunland’s Magnoli complex will feature two 12-storey towers, plus a collection of already built townhouses.

Sunland’s bid to transform the former Palm Beach caravan park with the apartment towers, six terrace houses, shops and a huge park open to the public got approved by the council in 2017.

3:

Artist impression of a Palm Beach tower development planned by developer Two Twenty Seven

Developer Two Twenty Seven proposed a nine-story tower last year.

It is planned for a 1229 sqm site on The Esplanade with 32 units and 90 bedrooms.

It was approved in November by the Gold Coast City Council.

4:

Siarn artist impression.

Cru Collective has begun sales on their $40 million Siarn, Palm Beach North project.

Planned for an Esplanade site, it is a nine-storey tower with beachfront views.

Siarn will feature 16 three-bedroom apartments of 230sqm, all with large balconies, ensuites and beach views.

A level one podium floor will boast an oceanfront pool, pedestrian beach access, outdoor shower, fully equipped indoor fitness centre, infra-red sauna, as well as alfresco kitchen, lounge and dining zones.

5:

The proposed Regis Healthcare development

A prime piece of beachfront land formerly owned by Mick Doohan will be transformed into an 11-storey aged care facility under plans from healthcare giant Regis.

The 3304sq m Palm Beach site, which borders the ocean and Gold Coast Highway, will feature 177 units across 11 levels including 108 high-care bedrooms, 24 dementia care bedrooms and 45 high care suites.