NOBBY GOING UP IN THE WORLD
Council approves plans for two new levels to be added to a prime corner block of shops at Nobby Beach
GOLD Coast City Council has approved plans for two levels to be added to a prime corner block of shops at Nobby Beach.
The site, from 2211 to 2215 Gold Coast Highway, is part of 0.38 acre block which extends from Lavarack Rd around to Chairlift Ave.
The corner block was bought by local businessman George Manettas’ company Earth Produce Pty Ltd for $9 million in March 2016 when it came up for sale for the first time in more than 20 years.
Earth Produce also owns an adjoining site at 32 Lavarack Rd that houses a two-storey building with tenants including a hairdresser, offices and the Sparrow Eating House restaurant.
The northern part of Earth Produce’s corner block was home to a single-storey shopping complex destroyed by fire in 2016. The complex, subject to a three-storey height limit, was rebuilt last year after the council signed off on plans to add an extra level with a rooftop dining and bar venue.
While the ground floor has now reopened with new tenants Alley Chow, Pinky’s and a Grill’d burger restaurant, work has not started on the upper level.
In October last year Earth Produce applied to take the ground floor complex up two levels instead of one.
In a decision notice dated April 6, the council approved the company’s application for a development permit for a material change of use for a food and drink outlet (restaurant) and office, subject to conditions including sewerage works and water supply compliance. The amended plans add two levels to the existing structure: a 330m sq office space on the first level and a 400m sq rooftop food and drink outlet (restaurant) with a lift, coat room and reception area. “The proposed development will support growth, facilitate need and strengthen the social fabric of the Mermaid Beach/Nobbys locality,” Plan It said in a town planning report submitted as part of the application.
The office will be able to open from 6am to 6pm seven days a week. The rooftop restaurant can trade from 6am to midnight seven days a week but alcohol cannot be served in outdoor areas after 10pm.
The decision was made on grounds including that the two-hour carparking limit in Nobby Beach be extended from 5pm to 10pm — which it was as of yesterday.
Parking at the Nobby Beach shops has been a growing problem because of the increasing popularity of the restaurant and cafe strip.
The Nobby’s precinct looks set to be a prime redevelopment site when the Gold Coast Light Rail extension is finished.
Mr Manettas is the former owner of Coco’s Shopping Centre at Carrara which he sold for $23.9 million in 2015.