Home of the Arts: Rejected plans to expand Gold Coast’s HOTA precinct

Colourful plans have been put forward to revamp the Home of the Arts (HOTA) precinct over the years. These are the bold and unusual ideas which got rejected. SEE THE CONCEPTS

The expansion of the Home of the Arts (HOTA) precinct at Bundall has been earmarked as a priority for city leaders this year.

Mayor Tom Tate recently spoke at length about his push to add to the existing Gold Coast Arts Centre building and create a new lyric theatre building in the hopes of attracting major Broadway or West End-style shows.

While some concept plans have been unveiled, time will tell what it ultimately will look like.

This week marks 10 years since the council’s initial HOTA vision was unveiled to the public.

The 2015 artist impressions of the redevelopment of the Gold Coast Cultural Precinct at Evandale

A “splash” public performance venue and arts hotel were at the heart of the 2015-era revamp, which was to have a range of features including:

• An expanded Evandale Lake with swimming lanes, a dock and beach facilities, and a new ferry terminal to be built on the Nerang River.

• A versatile outdoor space known as “the splash”.

• A riverside hub with a transitional art gallery and civic space.

• Artwork across the precinct.

Mayor Tom Tate, then in his first term, said in 2015 he expected it would take until 2030 for the precinct to be completed.

The green bridge was ultimately built years later.

“The strategy of this arts and theatre complex is to have the outdoor experience ready for the 2018 Commonwealth Games,” he said at the time.

“The budget for it is there and it is going to happen and we will be ready to add this ­additional infrastructure to the city.

“It is a signature project and the plan has been set up to be done in stages so when it is affordable, we will progress.

Many of the elements of the 2015 proposal have been built, while others have not.

“As you come down Bundall Rd you will not miss the arts precinct.”

A multi-coloured arts tower was to be the centrepiece of the completed precinct

Up to six high-rises were also to be erected around the edges of Evandale which were expected to range from hotels and residential accommodation to commercial use.

Evandale’s famous St Margaret’s Chapel was also to be relocated from the northern end of the site to a new waterside location on the southern tip of the precinct near riverfront dining ­facilities which would be available for receptions.

The Splash was replaced by the existing amphitheatre.

The proposal got high marks from the Friends of the Arts Centre Group, with president David Huddy calling it “bold and visionary” and of “immense importance” to the Gold Coast and arts communities.

It came only six years after the Council commissioned a design competition to create a new-look Evandale, securing 61 entries from across the country.

The winning design was a bold concept called the Island of Culture, which was to sit in the middle of the Nerang River.

Artist impression of the Gold Coast Island of Culture from 2009. Supplied by Gold Coast City Council.

It was to connect by pedestrian bridges on three sides to Evandale, Surfers Paradise and Chevron Island.

Within its walls were housed the mayoral chambers, performing and visual arts facilities, some council staff offices, restaurants and public spaces.

Its perimeter was to be wrapped in a luminous ‘scalloped glaze curtain’ which would glow at night.

The island concept was dumped once it became clear it could never be built.

Much of the 2015 HOTA concept has come to pass, with the arts tower merging with the art gallery, while the splash building became the giant amphitheatre which has hosted many memorable events in recent years.

No high-rises or hotels have yet been built on the site, while a green bridge across the Nerang River to Chevron Island and a ferry terminal have both become well-used landmarks at the precinct in the past five years.