SURFERS ASIAN STREET FOOD HUB TO TRANSFORM LANEWAY

WORK has started on an $8 million transformation of a Surfers Paradise laneway into a Shanghai-esque food alley in time for the Commonwealth Games.

Construction is now under way on what will be known as 8 Street, revamping an underutilised Cavill Lane walkway into a bustling authentic hub for Asian cuisine.

Initial demolition work began last month with an aim to have it completed by December but it is now expected to be open to the public in January.

The 2200sq m site — to have a “stately red” gate entrance off bar and restaurant strip Orchid Ave – is coming alive with 200 subcontractors to bring the project to life.

Burleigh Heads-based Altran Project Management managing director Troy Brown said more than 30 street food vendors were on board along with an open bar for what the Bulletin in August revealed would become a winding laneway with themed zones inspired by Asia.

“It is great to be able to work on a major development like this where we are working within site and time constraints to bring something different and really appealing to the Coast in time for the 2018 Commonwealth Games,” Mr Brown said.

Denwol Group senior development manager Craig Blackstone said 8 Street would be an open-air dining hub embodying all the vibrant atmosphere of an authentic hawker’s market.

“The concept aims to not only breathe life into the Cavill Lane shopping centre, but also to regenerate and reactivate this once vibrant part of Surfers Paradise,” he said.