Construction to begin soon on Ashmore Markets Centre

Updated artist impressions have been released of a major new shopping centre for the Gold Coast, with construction expected to begin within weeks.

WORK will start within weeks on the construction of a new shopping centre designed to provide a hub for restaurants and premium food retailers.

Council on Thursday gave the go-ahead with a number of conditions for the development on the site of the former Ashmore Seafood and Steakhouse restaurant, which proponents say will be an “epicurean emporium”.

New images of the proposed Ashmore Markets project have now been released, with Churchill Development Group said they expected work to start later this year and be completed in early 2024.

A new renders of the proposed Ashmore Markets centre.

Executive Director Jonathan Leishman said the developer was looking forward to bringing the project to life.

“We were determined to maintain the food focus and create something special for the site,” he said.

“We worked with our architects to create a building that is anything but your typical shopping centre. The design features a floor-to-ceiling glass facade and external planting and green spaces will ensure the destination becomes part of the surrounding suburban area.”

Churchill Development Group General Manager Ben Bailey said there was huge demand for premium retail and hospitality offerings in the area.

“We have dedicated around 70% of the 5,290 sqm centre to food and beverage retailing which will be the majority of the tenancy mix,” he said.­­­­

“Cafes and restaurants with a focus on delivering fresh, quality food along with a bottle shop, wine bar and full-line premium grocer will be part of Ashmore Markets and we’re also working to bring wellness, medical and allied health operators and a pharmacy to the development.”

A new render of the proposed Ashmore Markets centre.

Planning documents had indicated that Harris Farm Markets was being courted as the anchor tenant for the new centre.

However sources told the Bulletin the high-end retailer would not be the anchor tenant, and confidential discussions were ongoing with another premium grocer.

Mr Bailey said announcements would be made in coming weeks.

“We look forward to announcing further exciting news in the coming weeks regarding a number of high-quality operators that we’ve partnered with at Ashmore Markets,” he said.

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