First look: Inside the $500m Marina Mirage redevelopment at Main Beach

A $500 million plan to “reimagine” a landmark Gold Coast waterfront shopping precinct includes a boutique hotel, waterfront residences, and supercharged retail and dining. See the photos

A $500 million plan to “reimagine” a landmark Gold Coast waterfront shopping precinct includes a boutique hotel, waterfront residences, and supercharged retail and dining.

South Australian property mogul Con Makris has lodged a development application to give Main Beach’s longstanding Marina Mirage the mega facelift, the Bulletin can reveal.

Makris Group’s vision to redevelop the precinct has been in the pipeline for ten years. Picture: Supplied.

Mr Makris’ company Makris Group, the long-term owners of the shopping centre, have now lodged the plans to transform the site - it will also include a wellness hub.

Mr Makris has harboured a vision to redevelop the site for more than a decade and has invested significant resources toward the project.

Makris Group CEO and son Jason Makris said the proposed redevelopment would be a “must-visit destination for both locals and tourists”.

Award-winning Melbourne-based architects Elenberg Fraser were engaged to design the redevelopment. Picture: Supplied.

“Our proposed development aligns with the objectives of The Spit Master Plan, while delivering a world-class destination for the Gold Coast, Queensland, and our economy,” Jason Makris said.

A render of the development from the vantage point of Seaworld Dr, Main Beach. Picture: Supplied.

“The Makris Group is incredibly proud to be presenting plans of this calibre to City of Gold Coast for the historic reimagination of Marina Mirage and look forward to delivering their vision for the site.”

Picture: Supplied

In order to have a design that would best complement the surrounding landscape, Makris Group held a competition in 2020 between Australia’s most renowned architectural firms to secure the right team for the job.

Jason and Con Makris. Picture: Supplied.

Melbourne-based architects Elenberg Fraser were appointed to develop the design, which director and lead architect Callum Fraser said would “capitalise on the site’s unrivalled Broadwater aspects and subtropical environment and create a new heart for the dynamic community”.

Picture: Supplied.

Since acquiring Marina Mirage in 2013, Makris Group has in recent years developed a new multi-million dollar 76-berth Superyacht Marina which offers berthing facilities for Superyachts up to 85m. Makris Group backed in the Gennari Group’s swanky new floating beach club La Luna and its Mare restaurant and a ferry terminal for HOPO, the city’s ferry service.

The Makris Group was established in the 1980s by executive chairman Con Makris and is one of the country’s largest privately owned property groups. Con Makris built the company up from a single shopping centre purchase after immigrating to Australia from Greece as a youth.

The company are also behind the purchase and transformation of Oracle Broadbeach.

Opening in September 1988, Marina Mirage was developed to give Sheraton Mirage visitors a luxury shopping experience.