Building on Welch St at Southport set to be transformed into Five Baby nightspot with restaurant, bar and live music

Gold Coasters are sceptical whether a proposed high-end nightspot will revive Southport’s fortunes, with fears “too many homeless people and drug addicts” will scare off patrons.

Gold Coasters are sceptical whether a proposed high-end nightspot will revive Southport’s fortunes, with fears “too many homeless people and drug addicts” will scare off patrons.

The Bulletin last week revealed an ageing commercial building on Southport’s northern edge will be redeveloped into the Gold Coast’s newest nightspot under plans filed with Gold Coast City.

The Welch St building will be transformed into Five Baby, a restaurant, bar, entertainment and live music venue which is aimed at revitalising the area’s night-life.

An artist impression of the proposed Five Baby restaurant on Welch St at Southport. It has been proposed by Michael Geoffrey Read

The project has been proposed by businessman Michael Geoffrey Read who, according to property records, owns the building.

But Bulletin readers say they doubted it will help turn the area around.

Christian said: “Too many homeless people and drug addicts in the area discourages legitimate customers”.

J & P said: “Revitalising the community? Attractant to the local drug population seeking cash and the violent youth culture. Good luck.”

B wrote: “Revitalising the community? Attractant to the local drug population seeking cash and the violent youth culture. Good luck.”

First look: New nightspot to help revive Southport CBD

An ageing commercial building on Southport’s northern edge will be redeveloped into the Gold Coast’s newest nightspot under plans filed with Gold Coast City.

The Welch St building will be transformed into Five Baby, a restaurant, bar, entertainment and live music venue which is aimed at revitalising the area’s night-life.

The project has been proposed by businessman Michael Geoffrey Read who, according to property records, owns the building.

The two-storey nightspot will offer both indoor and outdoor dining, two giant pizza ovens and a private function room which will also double as a wine storage vault. The second level will have a giant void at its centre looking down on the ground floor.

A planning report on the project filed with council by Mr Read reveals his aim to bring life to the area, which is close to several unit towers.

“The proposed development will deliver a new dining and entertainment venue for the Southport CBD, which is currently not provided in the area,” the report reads.

A private function room will double as a wine storage vault, according to plans filed with Gold Coast City Council.

“The addition of live music will attract, support, and showcase local musicians and artists.

“The flexible nature of the space for dining and entertainment will cater to a range of needs and different forms of entertainment as the Southport CBD continues to develop.”

It is the latest in a series of new developments aimed at reviving the Southport central business district as a cosmopolitan destination.

The Bulletin last month revealed a Melbourne-based developer wants to build a capsule hotel on the Gold Coast where it will cost you just $20 a night to stay.

An artist impression of Five Baby.

IGR Property Group has filed plans with the Gold Coast City Council for Capsuleaccom.com, a 173-bed Japanese-style dormitory accommodation centre in the heart of Southport which will offer the city’s cheapest accommodation.

Planned for a historic Nerang St building next to Australia Fair, it will cater primarily to travellers and backpackers but will allow guests to stay for “months” according to the plans – as long as they don’t mind their personal space being just 0.97m wide.

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