Developer Josh Guok buys Burleigh Tropicana site, fish and chip shop to close

A popular fish and chip shop on the corner of the busiest street in Burleigh Heads has been sold to a developer. Find out his plans.

Developer Josh Guok buys Burleigh Tropicana site, fish and chip shop to close. Picture: Glenn Campbell

An iconic Burleigh Heads fish and chip shop will close after being sold to a developer.

The corner site home to the long-running Tropicana will set the scene for a new venue, with its owner saying if his plans aren’t to locals’ liking “there are always other places to explore”.

Developer Josh Guok – who in 2021 handled the $58 million sale of the International Beach Resort in Surfers Paradise – settled on the high-profile parcel on August 8 for $9.38 million.

It was a windfall for its previous owners, brothers Nick and George Ross, coming only four years after they landed it for $1.33 million.

Mr Guok said he jumped at the chance to snap up the site and had plans to “revitalise the area”.

“It’s a prime location at the corner junction where people cross the road to get to and from the beach,” he said.

“Nearly every visitor arriving at the Gold Coast Airport passes this corner on their way to accommodation north of Burleigh, making it impossible to miss.”

Tropicana was recently sold, through CBRE, by brothers Nick and George Ross for $9.38 million, only four years after they bought it for $1.33 million.

Mr Guok confirmed Tropicana would be closing at the end of October.

“I understand that some people may be disappointed to see Tropicana go,” he said.

“However, I believe that whatever comes next will bring a fresh perspective to this ‘old’ corner and revitalise the area.”

Rumours that McDonald’s would be taking over the space were fuelled by a Facebook post where local Kellie Marie said it would “destroy Burleigh”.

However, Mr Guok has confirmed McDonald’s would “absolutely not” be moving into the vacant site.

“I won’t kill Burleigh like that,” he said.

“That will certainly kill the ‘village vibe’.”

Mr Guok said “while I don’t plan to open a cafe or business myself at the site, a new venture is in the works to replace Tropicana”.

“As the plans are still being finalised, I’m not able to share further details at this stage.”

He said, while Burleigh Heads maintained a “charming village vibe”, there had been significant changes to the area in recent years, including the Light Rail Stage 3 project.

“I’ll refrain from delving into the light rail debate since the construction is already underway,” he said.

“However I believe that new developments often represent progress, even if it takes time for people to adjust.

“And for those who find it isn’t to their liking, there are always other places to explore.”

The future Light Rail station in Burleigh Heads.

Mr Guok addressed community concerns over increased crime in the area and said he hoped council commitments would help combat the issues.

“The recent announcement by the council to install 40 new CCTV cameras, along with increased patrols from the Queensland Police Service, will undoubtedly address recent concerns and contribute to making Burleigh an even more appealing place for locals,” he said.

“Now council needs to get going to build the two multistorey car parks that Tom Tate promoted as part of his election campaign earlier in the year.”

Tropicana, which was formerly known as Pacific Carvery, first opened more than 30 years ago. It was refurbished and renamed Burleigh Tropicana in 2004.

The Ross brothers became its landlords in 2020 after their family fell in love with the site in 1998.

In June, Nick told the Bulletin that he ate his first pork roll with gravy at Burleigh Tropicana in 1998 with his mum, Rose.

He said he decided to sell the property so he could spend more time with his wife, daughter and granddaughter in Thailand.

“It’s time to pass the property on to another generation, someone who might want to go up another level or two,” he said.

Tropicana was recently sold, through CBRE, by brothers Nick and George Ross for $9.38 million, only four years after they bought it for $1.33 million.

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Originally published as Developer Josh Guok buys Burleigh Tropicana site, fish and chip shop to close