Billy Cross and Simon Gloftis reveal how they are building their $20m The Darling bar.

MORE than $850 million has been spent to build the Gold Coast’s new $850m, six-star hotel. And now it’s $20m nightspot is taking shape.

The view from the roof Picture: Jerad Williams

BILLY Cross is very excited.

The one-time Surfers Paradise bar baron is amid a 19th-floor construction zone that is becoming the venue which drew him back to hospitality.

Right now the rooftop at Broadbeach’s six-star hotel The Darling — part of The Star’s $850 million site development — is all scaffolding, concrete and dust.

COAST’S $20 MILLION DARLING REVEALED

Billy Cross, and Simon Gloftis have got plenty to smile about. Picture: Jerad Williams

Come mid-March it will be the place to lunch, dine and party on the Gold Coast, in Queensland and even Australia.

“Look at it from here,” he says, admiring spectacular views from Surfers Paradise to Burleigh.

“Lounge here, another lounge there, the bar goes all along here, DJ console there, four booths here, that part is indoor-outdoor flow,” he salivates.

“It’s all acoustic technology so it’s going to be clear but not loud. You can still talk.”

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The three are all excited to work together. Picture: Jerad Williams

The founder of global hit male troupe Thunder from Down Under, music festival bigwig and self-made entertainment king beams: “This will be world class. Where else in Australia, let alone the world, has a restaurant, has a bar, has a pool and has these views? You know what I mean?”

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He should know — he sold the last of his nine Glitter Strip nightspots in the mid-2000s. Other than a Las Vegas nightclub from 2006-12, he never thought he would re-enter the bar game.

But when The Star Entertainment Group approached a year ago to help create and co-manage its showpiece venue, he could not refuse.

Star Entertainment Group Queensland managing director Geoff Hogg inside one of the rooms at The Star's new building, The Darling, in Broadbeach. Picture: Jerad Williams

“You feel honoured and humbled to be asked. Star are the biggest entertainment organisation in all of Queensland.”

He teamed with good mate and renowned Gold Coast restaurateur Simon Gloftis to plan something special. Mr Cross’s wife Jackie and her team will handle the marketing.

The Star budgeted $20 million for fitout — 20 times anything Mr Cross spent on one of his own venues — and he says it will be six-star quality from the tiles to the sound system.

“There is no spare change. It was a collaboration of all of us putting ideas in and Star’s budget.

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It’s a building of high luxury Picture: Jerad Williams

“We are going to see one of the best rooftop restaurants in Australia. It’s a game-changer for the Gold Coast and will really change the face of Gold Coast food and beverage offering.”

Mr Gloftis, with trademark cheeky grin, adds: “We spent all the money ... and some.”

The pair’s large and star-studded social circle will play a key role too — by way of example, as has previously been reported, the Crosses’ riverfront house was temporarily rented by Chris Hemsworth during filming of Thor: Ragnarok.

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Mr Cross says along with The Darling’s luxury suites, it will lure the drive market back to the Coast, with clientele from Brisbane but also Sydney and Melbourne visitors.

The Darling has some amazing rooms. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr Gloftis describes the menu as classic, elegant, produce-driven and “absolutely Australian”.

“There are going to be no things you are not going to understand.”

The price point will be approachable, he says, but adds: “It will certainly be a venue you feel as though you can come and celebrate something and spend a few dollars.”

Both say a commitment to service will be paramount, with more than 100 staff.

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There is an amazing view from the roof Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr Gloftis’s Fish House restaurant in Burleigh, which he sold last year, and Hellenika at Nobby Beach are well-known for raising the bar on service.

“It was hard to sell The Fish House and I wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for this,” Mr Gloftis says. “But to be here where I’m able to have the resources to show the customer what I want, you don’t get that opportunity every day.”

The fitout continues Picture: Jerad Williams

Star Queensland managing director Geoff Hogg said The Star was focused on adding to the city’s growing culinary reputation and visitor base.

“Everything we do is about growing the pie. We want the Gold Coast to be a destination. People who come stay for a week are not going to go to that outlet seven times — we want them to go at least once but that activity will drive spend across the whole city.”

Who is Billy Cross?

Billy Cross. Photographer: Liam Kidston.

The former Glitter Strip nightclub kingpin is the founder of male dance troupe and global sensation Thunder from Down Under. It tours the world and has a sellout residence in Las Vegas. His Cross Promotions with wife Jackie also runs festivals for Schoolies, the Gold Coast Supercars weekend, is helping bringing Bon Jovi to Metricon and a huge two-day music festival to Coolangatta Beach next year. He’s also a significant backer of the Gold Coast Rollers Queensland Basketball League team.

Who is Simon Gloftis

Simon Gloftis. Pic by Richard Gosling

A passionate proponent of the Gold Coast’s evolving culinary culture, the popular restaurateur is a well-connected and savvy businessman with an instinct for customer service that has driven his success. He famously opened his nationally acclaimed Fish House at Burleigh in 2012 and simultaneously invited restaurateurs of similar calibre to consider the Glitter Strip for their next venture. He has since sold the Fish House and this year relaunched his wildly-popular Hellenika restaurant. The Greek spot is a must for locals and visitors.