Miami Ice site to become 18-storey apartment tower

IT’S a southeast Queensland landmark that even featured in a John Farnham music video. Now it lies derelict, but it’s about to get a new lease on life.

Singer Johhny (John) Farnham, 30/12/88. Pic Ex Brisbane Sun. Farnham/Singer P/

MIAMI Ice will rise again in the form of an 18-storey tower planned for the former site of the Gold Coast icon.

The city’s former iceworks were demolished more than two years ago but elements of the famous building, which once featured in the music video for John Farnham’s Two Strong Hearts, will become part of the new project.

The building’s internationally recognised mural, including its cheerful shades-wearing sun, could be recreated on the side of the 28-unit mixed-use development, which will retain the name “Miami Ice”.

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Artist’s impressions of the proposed tower.

A development application which is earmarked for the corner of Gold Coast Highway and Kratzmann Ave at Miami has been submitted for the project by Neumann Developments.

Project manager Tim Scott said its design was intended to “fully embrace the affection that was held for the 1940s sheds”.

“The site was cleared as part of the sale and it was not possible to recover any of the original World War II huts which contained significant amounts of asbestos material and had also been ravaged by white ants over the years,” he said.

“However, several large machinery items were salvaged and it is intended to refurbish some pieces for an historical display at the entrance of the new building and to include the iconic Miami Ice sign, along with other memorabilia and artwork.

“An artist will be engaged to produce a modern interpretation of the Mr Sunny logo to complete the link to the site’s heritage.”

The former Miami Ice site on the corner of Gold Coast Highway and Kratzmann Ave, Miami just months after the building was demolished. Photo: Kit Wise

While initial plans include re-creating the Miami Ice sign along the new building’s side, this is yet to be finalised.

Plans suggest each floor would have two units each, as well as a four-bedroom penthouse and a restaurant on the ground floor. Public comment closes on January 11.

City planning boss Cameron Caldwell said recognising the Gold Coast’s cultural heritage was something which had gained increasing support from the community.

“This is a well-known site in the Gold Coast’s culture and the inclusion of these historical elements is a nice recognition of the land’s significance,” he said.

Miami Ice circa the late 1990s.

The Miami Ice building was erected in 1947 by the Grevis family using surplus World War II huts and became a major landmark on the southern Gold Coast.

Area councillor Greg Betts worked unsuccessfully to preserve the original building but welcomed the project.

Artist’s impressions of the proposed tower.

However, he said it would be assessed on its merits because it exceeded the area’s 15-storey height limit.

“Generally, I think it will dress up a vacant corner and continue the redevelopment of Miami, following on from the Miami One development in the mid-2000s,” he said.