How Surfers Paradise will be transformed by new entertainment centre, The Music Hall
The Coast’s glitter strip is set for a refresh with new plans to transform the suburb and it will not just attract locals but become a major tourist attraction.
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Surfers Paradise is to refresh its rundown entry statement, with new plans showing why the planned entertainment hall will not just attract locals but become a major tourist attraction.
The designs shown to councillors in a closed session include not just the indoor venue but a “music garden” where thousands of visitors can gather under lights with the Surfers Paradise skyline in the background.
An officer’s report previously made confidential shows the City intends to replicate the branding used for HOTA with a “similar Voronoi design and colour wrapping”.
“This could be a relatively straightforward measure to elevate the profile of the HOTA style and brand and overall arts credentials of the city,” the report says.
Officers added if the adjoining Bruce Bishop car park got a similar upgrade “this corner at 10 Beach Road has the potential to become a striking gateway to Surfers Paradise”.
The existing western entry to the city’s tourism heart is the ageing transit centre, now rarely used by buses, along with the run-down car park undergoing maintenance.
Officers must first undertake an integrity assessment of the Surfers Paradise Transit Centre, the location for the music hall, and adjoining Bruce Bishop car park.
Area councillor Darren Taylor said: “It’s right in the centre of Surfers Paradise, on the western corridor that draws people from the western side and pulls it up to the northern.
“Years ago when we had the old picture theatre, the Hoyts down the southern end, it attracted visitors from the southern end to the northern end and up through Cavill Mall.
“This will reactivate that southern part of Surfers Paradise, where you find most of those shops are vacant. It’s a crucial part of that Surfers Paradise activation.”
Cr Taylor said the back area of the transit centre, where buses were once parked, presented an opportunity to redevelop the site as a garden setting with stalls.
“It’s a critical piece of land. When we resolved to keep it that was our main discussion, we need to ensure it is activated. This is an absolute perfect opportunity to reactivate that area and provide for Surfers Paradise a town hall and indoor music area.”
The city officer report says the venue once completed would be operated by council similar to the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre and Southport Broadwater Parklands.
The community could be engaged in naming the centre as part of a competition, officers said.
The venue would have a maximum capacity of 2800 with a 2200 standing capacity in the main hall.
It would feature a wrap around mezzanine balcony on three sides with 400 standing capacity and 200 tiered seats to the rear.
Officers said the project would include a significant outdoor garden and laneway area for outside activations.
The contract is contained in a confidential legal document. CEO Tim Baker is expected to present the contract at the next round of meetings.
Originally published as How Surfers Paradise will be transformed by new entertainment centre, The Music Hall
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