‘It’s still humming’: Marina Mirage dining scene still drawing crowds amid $500m revamp plans

Despite a looming $500m redevelopment, find out how Marina Mirage’s most popular dining venues are surviving amidst the disruption.

La Luna Beach Club’s Jacob Low partying on despite extensive disruptions due to renovations at Marina Mirage. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Despite the looming $500m redevelopment plans for Marina Mirage the precinct’s dining scene remains “as lively as ever,” still drawing crowds for special occasions and pulling in competitive revenue.

Jacob Low, Group Operations Manager of the Gennari Group – behind some of the Precinct’s most popular venues including La Luna Beach Club, Mare, and Glass Dining – said the waterfront location is still “humming”.

“We’re still fully booking our restaurants on the weekends,” he said.

Mr Low said Valentine’s Day lunch and dinner at his Marina Mirage venues were even “shoulder-to-shoulder” with his Broadbeach venues – Maggie Choo, Koi, Loose Moose and Roosevelt Lounge.

La Luna Beach Club’s Jacob Low and Venue Manager Daria Cherniavskaia partying on despite extensive disruptions due to renovations at Marina Mirage. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Gold Coast City Council approved a major redevelopment plan last year which will see Marina Mirage transformed with a new Marriott hotel, retail spaces and residential units while retaining its iconic rooftop sails.

But ongoing uncertainty around the project’s timeline has left many retailers and restaurateurs in limbo, with several traders already moving out over the past year.

Mr Low said his team is pushing forward with a “positive mindset” and wants Gold Coasters to know they are still open for business.

“We understand there is a deadline at some point … probably the end of the year … but we just operate every day as if there’s not,” he said.

“If we thought it wasn’t worth it, we wouldn’t still be investing.”

Mr Low confirmed La Luna Beach Club will remain unaffected by the redevelopment and is “looking forward to opportunities” when the hotel does open.

Originally published as ‘It’s still humming’: Marina Mirage dining scene still drawing crowds amid $500m revamp plans