Sunland Plaza set for revival as food and entertainment venue

A big food and entertainment venue is being developed in one of Townsville’s old shopping centres. Take a sneak peak at what’s to come.

The old Sunland Plaza in Thuringowa Central will become one of the biggest pubs in town with multiple food options and live music under the plans of the Star hotel and liquor group.

The group recently settled its purchase of the 8000sq m centre and almost 3ha of land holdings for $6m to clear the way for its redevelopment.

The centre, apart from a small Domino’s pizza shop and Sandwich Express, has been vacant since Cornett’s IGA closed its supermarket in 2014, unable to compete with Coles and Woolworths in the nearby Willows shopping centre.

Townsville builder Hurst Constructions has started internal demolition of the plaza and an adjoining restaurant building fronting Hervey Range Rd.

Star Hotel Group managing director Steven Shoobridge said they were confident that if they provided a great offer, people would support it.

The entrance to the old Sunland Plaza in Thuringowa Central.

“We will open it in three stages but once they are all open there will be four different food options. Some of those are being finalised at the moment. We will have five bars and large food spaces which can be used for special events and entertainment — tribute shows and things like that,” Mr Shoobridge said.

The former Hooters restaurant site on Hervey Range Rd is part of the Sunland Plaza holdings.

A part of the old supermarket is also being converted into a Star liquor warehouse.

The Tully-born and Harvard-educated pub baron said he loved North Queensland and would like to spend more time here.

An aerial view of the Sunland Plaza holding which has sold for $6m.

“I’m very happy to invest in Townsville on the basis that people will support great initiatives. We want to provide entertainment that people don’t have to travel into the city for,” Mr Shoobridge said.

Star Hotels Group managing director Steven Shoobridge.

They are looking to open a first stage encompassing two food concepts, the liquor warehouse, lounge bar/coffee shop and sports bar around April or May next year.

A second stage involves a 300-plus seat buffet restaurant and specialty food offering, while a third stage will provide 1000sq m of food spaces and entertainment areas. All three stages are expected to be finalised by the end of 2023.

The plans have been well received. Peter Wheeler of property agency Colliers Townsville said the city was ready for it and if done well would be embraced by Townsville people.

Sandwich Express owner David Maley said they would soon have to vacate but supported reviving a centre which had languished for years.

“I think it’s a great idea and it’s a great location for what he’s doing. It’s central to everything,” Mr Maley said.

The Star Group is Queensland’s largest independently owned and operated pub and liquor retail group with a portfolio of licensed venues, retail liquor outlets and accommodation venues.

It recently bought The Avenues Tavern and Centenary Hotel in Townsville to add to the Rydges Southbank, Palmer Collective, Shamrock and West End hotels.

Originally published as Sunland Plaza set for revival as food and entertainment venue