Gold Coast’s ‘30s destination Jazzland to be restored under proposal by Melbourne developer

One of the southern Gold Coast’s most popular wartime venues, the Jazzland Dance Palais, would be returned to its former glory under plans by Melbourne property developer BeckDev.

An artist’s impression of how Jazzland would be integrated into the development.

One of the Gold Coast’s most popular recreation venues of the early 20th century will be retained in a new luxury development planned for Coolangatta.

Jazzland Dance Palais opened in the 1930s as the jazz floors and dance halls took hold of the coastal region.

The site became so popular with locals over the decade that the timber structure was doubled in size and shored up. It became popular with American soldiers visiting the Gold Coast region during World War II, when they sought rest and recreation.

Revellers danced and jived their evenings away right up until 1951 when the hall was used for the final time.

Although it still stands more than 70 years later, it’s used as an antiques shop and the spark of its dance history has dimmed.

Jazzland at Coolangatta during the height of its popularity.

Now, Melbourne-based developer BeckDev want to restore it to its former glory.

Recently lodged revised plans for its twin tower premium apartment complex at 31 to 33 McLean St show the brown brick of Jazzland as the ground floor star attraction, with 132 apartments above it.

BeckDev managing director Damian Dalgleish said the intention of the design has always been to retain the heritage building’s facade as part of the development – and that the hall and stage of the former Jazzland Dance Palais would be restored.

An artist’s impression of BeckDev’s Palais Coolangatta.

“Our commitment to Jazzland is saving a long-forgotten past that retains and restores a heritage cultural use, that has been lost due to successive owners altering the building to suit their retail requirements with no consideration to the previous heritage values of the site,” Mr Dalgleish said.

“The authentic heritage restoration to the facade and hall provides a unique sense of place that celebrates the cultural heritage use of the Jazzland dance in the hall.”

The company, headed by development veteran Max Beck, is no stranger to heritage restorations.

In the 1990s, Mr Beck integrated an office tower at 333 Collins St in his native Melbourne to the original Italian baroque style of 1890s banking chamber. The development retained the inlaid marble floors, gilt-detailed columns and arches.

The ornate ceiling of 333 Collins St, Melbourne, which was saved.

BeckDev first opened plans for the Palais Coolangatta to community consultation in 2021.

The plans show the tower now stands at 17 storeys, down from the original plan of 22, bringing the total height of the tower down from 75.5m to 58.75m. This reduces the number of apartments from 174 to 132.

Among the key changes in the latest proposal by BeckDev tower are setbacks to the sides and rear of the development, as well as reducing the height of the tower podium which would be further back from the historic facade.

Mr Dalgleish said: “We have amended the design to create a new plan that responds to community feedback, while in many instances exceeding council planning requirements.”

The former Jazzland building in its current guise. Picture: Richard Gosling

A previous amendment, under which two storeys were removed from the original height and a units were reduced to 159, had earlier been rejected by council.

The premium tower would offer residents a range of amenities across two levels, including office pods, a pool, gym, theatre, private dining function rooms, children’s play area and barbecue breakout areas that would take in views across the bay to the Surfers Paradise skyline.

The Gold Coast became a hub of activity at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic boom. Many projects headed to market before they had even gained council approval.

However, while parts of residential-zoned areas at the southern tip of the region, such as Snapper Rocks and Rainbow Bay, have had considerable development activity in recent years, the Coolangatta centre has experienced relatively limited revitalisation over the past decade.