Hillsong link to hub
Surfers centre leased to firm owned by church elder Nabi Saleh
THE revamped Surfers Paradise Transit Centre business hub is to become a home to 20 specialist eateries, retail food stores and offices run by a company linked to the lucrative Hillsong Church and Gloria Jeans Coffee chain.
The refurbished transit centre will be named ‘‘The 4217’’, as part of a new brand launched yesterday, and is intended for a hip, artistic crowd.
The Gold Coast City Council has given a 20-year lease to operate the transit centre hub to Statefield, a Sydney-based company owned by Hillsong elder Nabi Saleh, who also owns Gloria Jeans Coffee.
Mr Saleh’s daughter Danielle Saleh and her husband James Rodger have been put in charge of developing and operating the hub.
Ms Saleh is also credited as the director of a DVD for Hillsong United, a band that originated from the Hillsong Church.
Gloria Jeans Coffee operates in almost 40 countries.
Hillsong Church is also a business, selling DVDs, CDs, self-help books and clothing.
Its Sydney-based reverend Brian Houston has previously said it had an income of $50 million in 2004.
While Statefield leases the transit centre from the council, it will manage the site and lease out individual tenancies for shops and restaurants.
When it opens mid-year, The 4217 is expected to have a micro-brewery, coffee house and authentic Italian gelataria, as well as spaces for artists to show off their works.
Sydney artist Brad Eastman, professionally known as Beastman, and Jae Copp have already spray-painted a colourful mural on the Beach Rd side of the centre.
Ms Saleh said the name, based on the area’s postcode, was to promote it as a village hub for Coast locals.
‘‘The area has the beautiful Hinterland, beautiful beaches, and we wanted it all encapsulated,’’ she said.
Ms Saleh said the space would tap into the artistic and creative talent of the city.
‘‘There’s a great artistic community here on the Gold Coast, so that will filter into the space,’’ she said.
Surfers Paradise councillor Lex Bell said Mr Saleh and his daughter gave a presentation on the hub to him several months ago.
‘‘He certainly has business experience and knows the scene,’’ Cr Bell said.
‘‘It’s catchy – it’s very much with it. The activities of the business centre have never really clicked, but this is something which could.’’