Revealed: The designs and plans for a Town Hall-style centre at a the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre
New designs have emerged of a Town-Hall style centre, after city councillors ticked off on exploring the new entertainment option for the Glitter Strip.
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Stunning designs have emerged of a planned entertainment hall for Surfers Paradise after city councillors ticked off on exploring the new concept for the Glitter Strip.
They show a spectacular dome-like venue similar in size to The Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane, capable of holding world class music events.
Councillors at a full council meeting on Tuesday agreed to support in principle the redevelopment of the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre into the “Town Hall” style venue.
Designs released on Wednesday show the proposal is for a venue that can host upwards of 2500 patrons for live music and cabaret shows, banquets and other corporate events.
Other event spaces would be used for art workshops, music studios, education, civic events and community activities.
Area Councillor Darren Taylor said the location of the Transit Centre and the history of the site made the decision an easy one.
“In January, council resolved to keep Bruce Bishop Car Park and the Transit Centre and as such the community expectation is that we will improve and make this precinct a successful proposition that works for them,” Cr Taylor said.
“The centre has been under-utilised for a number of years and if we can transform this building, while retaining its unique features, we can create a multipurpose civic asset that the community can be proud of and artists will want to perform at.
“This will also provide an opportunity for us to improve the aesthetics of the entire site.”
Initial consultation with key stakeholders within the city including community organisations, business operators within Surfers Paradise and music venue operators had been very positive, Cr Taylor said.
Early concepts suggest the venue could have the following features:
* A maximum capacity of 2800 – 2200 standing capacity in the main hall.
* Wrap around mezzanine balcony on three sides with 400 standing capacity and with 200 tiered seats to the rear.
* Entrance lobby and lobby facilities at the eastern end along Beach Road.
* Back of house and loading zone along with significant outdoor garden and laneway area for outdoor activations including food and beverage offerings.
The Bulletin earlier this week revealed the City was considering redeveloping the Transit Centre known as The 4217.
Councillors in the closed session were asked to approve a further investigation and detailed design work which had an initial budget allocation of $200,000.
Once the design was completed, councillors would then be asked to approve the project as part of a future budget.
A super majority of councillors agreed to proceed with the proposal. Councillor William Owen-Jones voted against. Mayor Tom Tate and Deputy Mayor Donna Gates were absent.
The Bulletin understands the neighbouring Bruce Bishop car park would not be impacted.
The proposal is also separate to the indoor boutique stadium with the City currently finalising a tender process.
In 2021, councillors in an update on the public assets were told less than 10 buses stopped at the Transit Centre each week.
The retail outlets could be best described “as monthly” in terms of vacancies or tenancies, officers told councillors.
Only last month councillors rejected plans for a backpackers resort at the Surfers Plaza Resort, across the road from the Bruce Bishop, because of the lack of guarantees about carparking.
Structural repairs are underway at the car park, with completion in December 2023.
A review into the car park continues, with the decision to be made by the next council election, which will occur in March next year. A review on the car park is to be completed by October this year.
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