First look at $7m revamp for Cocos shopping centre in Carrara

A longstanding Gold Coast shopping centre is undergoing a multi-million dollar transformation with a new name and new look. See the plans

A longstanding Gold Coast shopping centre is undergoing a multi-million dollar transformation in a return to its former glory.

Cocos shopping centre in Carrara will be redeveloped into Carrara Village - a food and retail precinct with a fresh food market, restaurants, cafes, a deli, bakery and more.

Construction has started on the $7m refurbishment of the Manchester Rd site, set to be complete by early next year.

Carrara Village outside design. Picture: supplied

HHH Architects director Nik Mitens said the centre’s former fruit and vegetable market would be split into multiple tenancies facing a central atrium.

“Essentially, it’s a whole new building. We’re only keeping the structure - even the roof is being replaced,” Mr Mitens said.

“We are opening up the centre of the building to create an atrium. It will be fun and vibrant with plenty of natural light and plants.”

The atrium inside Carrara Village.

Davidson Property will launch a leasing campaign later this week to seek interest from food and retail businesses to fill the vacant spaces.

Agency owner Kyle Davidson said the current tenants would remain in the building.

The agency had already received plenty of interest from potential newcomers to the centre.

Carrara Village spokesman Alex Wang said the property owner wanted to transform the former Cocos into a “centre she is proud of”.

Exciting new plans have been unveiled for the future of Cocos shopping centre, Carrara. Alex Wang with Davidson Property’s Mike Ward and Kyle Davidson and HHH Architects director Nik Mitens. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Covid-19 pandemic had delayed the start of the renovation project.

“It is in the centre of the Gold Coast - it is a very good location,” Mr Wang said.

“The whole renovation plan had been delayed, but now we’re finally getting back on track.”

Cocos shopping centre, Carrara. Picture: Glenn Campbell

In 2015, it was reported Chinese buyer Yue Liu, via company Goldenwater LDL, had bought the established centre from then-owner, Earth Produce.

The George Manettas-linked Earth Produce bought the centre for $17 million in early 2011 from a company linked to veteran fruiterer Sam Coco.

In 2012, the Bulletin reported an auctioneer’s hammer brought the end of an era at Sam’s Cocos.

Mr Coco had embarked on a substantial expansion of the centre in the early 2000s.

The supermarket was the last remaining in a chain of 10 stores that once dominated the Coast.

At the time, it was reported bargain hunters had emptied the shop of everything from shelves to light fittings to make way for retail giant Aldi.

The German discount supermarket chain was an anchor tenant for the centre before the store closed in December 2021.

Its last day of trading was on Christmas Eve, much to the shock of Carrara residents.

The community found out the news via a notice shared to a local Facebook group.