Redevelopment plan for Baz Luhrmann’s former Gold Coast production headquarters

Hollywood film director Baz Luhrmann’s former production headquarters on the Gold Coast is set to take on a new life with a dramatically different purpose. FIND OUT MORE

Hollywood film director Baz Luhrmann’s former production headquarters is set to take on a new life.

Malan Investments has lodged plans with the Gold Coast City Council to expand the Gold Coast Highway complex at Miami and transform it into a childcare centre.

The existing building, which is currently home to a Ray White real estate office, will be extended, with the centre to have room for 98 students and a full-time staff of 16 people.

Artist impression of a Miami building on the Gold Coast Highway which will be transformed into a childcare centre. Picture: Supplied

“The proposed development has been designed to provide a high-quality and contemporary learning environment which is complemented with landscaping and a colour palette that improves the local streetscape and the surrounding visual amenity of the locale,” a planning report lodged with council reads.

“The proposed childcare centre will operate between 6.30am and 6.30pm Monday to Friday.

“The floor plan comprises seven separate ‘activity rooms’ designed to cater for children up to and including five years of age.”

Australian director Baz Luhrmann inside the building during his residency there. Picture: Jerad Williams

Each child care room will have direct access to shared amenities and prep rooms. Other areas include a kitchen, laundry, staffrooms, storage areas and sleep rooms for the youngest children.

“The proposed development incorporates two main outdoor play areas in accordance with the Australian Standards for health and safety.”

The building was Mr Luhrmann’s production home during the filming and editing of the 2022 film Elvis.

He chose to do the post-production work on the project on the Gold Coast, the same place where he filmed the movie.

The building as it appeared when Elvis was in production. Picture: Jerad Williams

The location was kept a secret during his residency in the building which concluded in mid-2022.

Behind the close doors of the compound sat a temporary building called The Tent which served as Mr Luhrmann’s private office.

When the Bulletin visited it in February 2022 a copy of the 1960 Elvis Presley album Elvis is Back! on the turntable next to a shelf full of records by the King, Prince and Massive Attack.

A shag pile rug was spread on the floor underneath a soft-green sitting chair and mid-century chandelier hung from the ceiling.

Since vacating the Highway compound, Mr Luhrmann has announced plans for a permanent production facility on the Coast.