Two towers development to breathe new life into Southport’s Chinatown

SOUTHPORT’S chinatown is set for a major expansion as a developer prepares to build a supertower that would dwarf Surfers Paradise’s Q1.

SOUTHPORT’S chinatown is set for a major expansion as a developer prepares to build an Asia-influenced supertower that would dwarf Surfers Paradise’s Q1.

The Cienna development will include two towers, with the largest expected to top 88 storeys while its smaller counterpart is expected to be around 38 levels.

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The Q1, which will soon mark 10 years as the southern hemisphere’s tallest building, is just 78 levels, plus its spire.

Cienna development, an 88 storey/40 storey two-tower development planned for Southport

The development is earmarked for a 4300 sq m site between Young, Nerang and Garden Streets and will include a mix of retail and commercial spaces to podium level, with the towers to contain residential accomodation.

A development application has been made to the Gold Coast City Council for the project by the Cienna Group, a NSW-based company with five directors, two of whom are based in Singapore.

Area councillor Dawn Crichlow and representatives of Mayor Tom Tate met with Cienna Group executives yesterday afternoon at Evandale to discuss the project.

Project manager Gavin Baxter, from GMP Management, confirmed the meeting had been positive and that the development was progressing well through the application stage.

“Cienna has been specifically designed to activate Chinatown with pedestrian connectivity and provide vibrant active street and laneway experiences,” he said.

The new development will be on the site of the old Regent Theatre cinema.

“We believe Cienna will reinforce and build on Chinatown, and contribute to the transformation of the Southport CBD.

“The development has recently been lodged with the council and GMP Management look forward to working with Council through the approval stage.”

The development site falls within the Southport Priority Development Area (PDA) which means it is a virtual certainty for approval.

The land, which a century ago was home to Southport’s historic Regent Theatre cinema, has been empty since 1989 when it was cleared to make way for a failed development.

Cr Crichlow declared the development had her full support.

“It is an absolutely beautiful looking development and I understand the developers are also looking at a site on Young Street to expand into as well so we will see the growing Asia influence there too,” she said.

“It will feature retail, commercial and an Asian culture centre right onto Young Street.

“This is an exciting project that will give Southport a big boost as well as extend the Chinatown precinct which is what we need.”